The name "StartUp" implies a linear beginning. But starting is easy; staying alive through the turns is where the winners are decided.
Real startups don't fly; they navigate. They stumble. They zig when everyone expects them to zag. They learn, adapt, and find unexpected paths to success.
"The way to do really great work is to love what you do. In startups, that means loving the Zig."
— Paul Graham, Y Combinator
A Classic Zigzag Example
Maya spent two years developing FreshCast. Her vision was clear: using AI to predict demand and help high-end restaurants eliminate food waste.
But the market didn't care. After pitching to 19 investors, her runway was disappearing. A client told her: "I don't care about food waste. I'm losing revenue because I can't manage my kitchen shifts."
In that moment, Maya embraced the Zig. She rebuilt her AI to solve staffing logistics. The resistance vanished. Sales cycles dropped from months to days.
18 Months Later:$47M EXIT