Here I highlight some common early-stage mistakes I come across working closely with startup teams (and how you can avoid them). This post was first published on Medium.

1. No clear vision or purpose

This should be the starting point for any startup founder, but it’s often overlooked. Too often people dive straight into their shiny solution ideas without thinking about why they’re doing what they’re doing or considering the change they want to see in the world.

“Chase the vision not the money. The money will end up following you.” Tony Hsieh

Without a clear purpose, a startup can meander along without much momentum. And when things get tough (which they inevitably will), you won’t have much to pull you or your team through. Having a clear purpose adds some real meaning to your work, and a cause that people can rally around. It can also give your brand…