If You’re Not Obsessed With the Problem, Don’t Start the Company” — A LinkedIn Thread That Became a Manifesto for Purpose-Driven Founders

Why one founder’s brutally honest advice to entrepreneurs has sparked a wave of reflection across the startup ecosystem.

Introduction:

“Don’t start a company unless you are obsessed with the problem, not the idea of being a founder.”
That sentence, posted by Nuseir Yassin, founder of Nas Company, struck a nerve on LinkedIn this week. What began as a call for self-honesty quickly evolved into a sprawling community conversation—where seasoned founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and VC veterans reflected on what drives a business to thrive or collapse under its own hype.

Background & Context:

Nuseir Yassin is no stranger to bold statements or viral insights. As the founder of Nas Company—a platform that helps creators and entrepreneurs tell stories with impact—he often shares thoughts that blend experience with principle.

In this post, Yassin outlines seven truths that every aspiring founder should confront before registering their company or pitching their idea. But this wasn’t just a motivational list. It was a confrontation—with ego, with startup theater, and with the harsh reality of what it really takes to build something lasting.

Main Takeaways / Observations:

You Must Love the Problem, Not the Title
The most resonant message: Obsession with solving a real-world pain point is the only sustainable fuel. Loving the identity of “founder” is not.

Startups Are Meant to Die Fast—Unless You Work Harder Than Anyone
Yassin doesn’t sugarcoat it: The market is brutal, and your product will be ignored unless it punches through real indifference.

Focus on Results, Not PR
Many founders seek press, likes, or conference panels. Yassin argues that the only real metric is customer success—not media buzz.

🪞 You Might Not Be Ready (And That’s OK)
He closes with humility: “If you disagree with any of these, maybe you’re not ready yet.” It’s not a gatekeeping statement—it’s an invitation to reflect deeply.

Community Reaction (Optional):

The post triggered hundreds of comments, with a vibrant mix of support, debate, and vulnerable admissions.

• VCs acknowledged that many founders are indeed “in love with the founder identity, not the grind.”

• Entrepreneurs chimed in with stories of burnout, pivots, and rediscovering purpose.

• First-time founders commented with gratitude, calling the post a checklist they didn’t know they needed.

Our Perspective / Analysis:

From a legal and strategic lens, this kind of clarity is vital. In our work advising early-stage companies, we often see founders distracted by brand-building before solidifying legal protections, revenue models, or operational systems.

Yassin’s advice—while blunt—is the kind of foundational thinking that minimizes premature scaling, legal missteps, and unsustainable team dynamics. It’s not just motivational. It’s risk management.

Call to Reflection or Action (Closing):

Before launching your startup—or investing in one—ask this:
“Are we solving a problem people care about… or are we just playing startup?”

Because as this post reminds us: in the real world, vanity doesn’t raise rounds. Solutions do.

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