This sentiment reminds me of DHH&#x27;s talk at startup school (<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=0CDXJ6bMkMY" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=0CDXJ6bMkMY</a>) in which he explains that the best way to create a business is to make money, but not just make money, make it on your own.<p>I am a little removed from the Silicon Valley echo chamber and enjoy the ability to watch it from the sidelines, but I don&#x27;t understand the obsession with the &#x27;rapid growth, raise millions from investors, become a unicorn, own the world&#x27; mentality.<p>I just don&#x27;t get it. As a founder, your life is going to be just as good (probably better) if you made a couple million dollars in actual money that you don&#x27;t have to divide up in odd percentages to all sorts of already rich guys who gave you tons of money in the first place.<p>Why isn&#x27;t everyone just trying to build products that work, that people like, that make money, and going from there?<p>Why the need to go to YC, or raise any capital AT ALL, for the very very low chance of becoming gajillionaires?<p>I understand the appeal of the #1 king on top thing, but not really, and not with the risks and pain associated with the journey and the reality.<p>Whatever I guess. People will not stop investing or raising money, at least for now.