The Messy Middle

The long stretch between starting a venture and finishing it is the subject Scott Belsky takes on, arguing that success depends on getting through the ups and downs that follow initial funding, not on the dramatic moments of creation and conclusion that get most attention. Belsky bases it on seven years of research among founders, start-ups, small agencies and companies worth billions. Belsky offers lessons on building and optimizing a team, improving a product and growing one's own capacity to lead. He sets these against the observation that nine out of ten start-ups burn out, and asks what it takes to endure and thrive over the long term.

Alexis Ohanian called it required reading for founders, and Joe Gebbia endorsed it as the parachute for anyone jumping into a new venture. Seth Godin praised it too, saying it shows readers they have more control than they admit.