What Startups and Cats Can Teach Us About Surviving Tough Times

Picture this: It’s 2008. People are facing tough financial times, similar to the way things might feel now. But here’s the thing about tough times—they can also bring out incredible creativity. While many were struggling during the recession, a whole bunch of ambitious startup founders were quietly working on the next big thing. And what came out of that period? Apps like Uber, Venmo, Snapchat, and Instagram—all the things we now use daily.

It’s kind of like when a cat spends the afternoon strategically napping on a sunny windowsill. Sure, it looks like nothing is happening, but secretly, they’re getting ready to pounce on the perfect opportunity (usually your favorite snack). 🐱

1. The Golden Age of Mobile Apps: The Cat Nap of Innovation

Let’s jump back to 2009. Apple had just launched the iPhone and the App Store, and suddenly, the world of mobile apps exploded. If you were a savvy startup founder, this was your moment to shine—just like a cat who’s been quietly watching the fishbowl all afternoon, waiting for the right time to strike.

This golden era was driven by three things: social media, cloud computing, and the rise of smartphones. Like a trio of kittens playing with the same ball of yarn, each technology improved the other. Smartphones made social media more accessible, cloud computing made it easier to share and store data, and together they created an endless cycle of new apps and innovations.

2. Independent Product Cycles: Like Cats and Laser Pointers

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Just as financial cycles (like stock markets) can be unpredictable, product cycles have their own rhythm. Imagine a cat chasing a laser pointer—it’s unpredictable, erratic, and hard to follow. But while the laser jumps around wildly, the cat (that’s you, the startup founder) stays focused, ready to pounce when the moment is right.

Source: https://x.com/cdixon/status/1541431152249954304

In the world of innovation, products follow their own logical cycle. First, there’s the incubation phase where ideas are developed—just like a cat cautiously observing from a distance, figuring out its prey. Take smartphones, for example. They were around in the 90s, but it wasn’t until the iPhone came along that they really took off and entered their growth phase.

In this growth phase, everything starts feeding into itself, like a self-reinforcing loop. As the iPhone got better, more apps were created, and more apps meant more people wanted iPhones. It’s like a cat discovering a never-ending laser pointer—the fun never stops!

3. Today’s Tech World: Cats with Claws Out

Fast forward to today, and things have changed. Big tech companies (think of them as lions) are sitting at the top of the internet food chain, with a lot of control over what happens. They’re like the alpha cats, carefully guarding their territory. But here’s the thing: every cat, no matter how big, has to stay alert because there are always new players trying to shake things up.

And that’s where crypto and Web 3 come in. These technologies are like the next generation of cats, quietly sharpening their claws, getting ready to make their move. Crypto has been building momentum, and with more talent and knowledge flooding into the space, we’re reaching a tipping point. It’s like when a kitten finally grows into its paws—it’s about to get real!

4. The Startup Survival Guide: Think Like a Cat

If we’re headed into another economic downturn (like 2008), it’s important to remember a few key lessons from that era. The biggest lesson? Be patient and strategic—just like a cat. Here’s how:

Preserve your resources: Cats conserve energy so they can pounce at the perfect moment. For startups, this means managing your money wisely. Don’t burn through your funding too quickly.
Focus on your long-term vision: Just like a cat watches its prey, waiting for the right time to strike, startups need to stay laser-focused on their product. Ignore the noise around you and keep building.
Look for the right moment: Cats don’t waste energy chasing after things that won’t bring them value. The same goes for startups—stay patient and look for the best opportunities to grow.

5. The Next Big Thing: Web 3 is the New Cat in Town

So what’s the next big thing after the mobile app boom? If you ask me, it’s crypto and Web 3. This space is still growing, and the creativity and energy in the community are at an all-time high. Think of it like this: Web 3 is the latest kitten on the block, full of curiosity and potential. It may look small now, but soon, it’ll be the cat that everyone’s watching.

Just like mobile apps did in the early 2010s, crypto and Web 3 are moving from the incubation phase to the growth phase. If you’re a startup founder in this space, now’s your time to pounce!

Wrapping it Up

If you’re building something new, keep your eye on the prize and ignore the market's ups and downs—just like a cat who ignores the world while patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. This isn’t just a passing trend; we’re at the start of the next big product cycle, and the opportunities are purr-fect.

Original Article by https://x.com/cdixon on https://cdixon.org/