Thanks,
-Andrew Hill

It also depends on your goals though. Not everyone wants to dominate something like “transportation” they rather stay in their little niche. But I know even with under30ceo we continue to narrow our niche down and focus on the little things but the larger vision of entrepreneurship as a whole is always there and we make sure our smaller moves are in line with that big goal.

But I do agree that focus and the little things like cash for food tomorrow are much greater concerns as a start-up rather then the global domination view.

Try to think about it in these terms: Zappos – $1 Billion in sales … Start-up founded by college-age entrepreneur – $0. Now if you're making $0, what's more important, getting cashflow or “thinking bigger” like in his railroad / transportation example? Having a long-term vision and outlook is great but in the short-term when you're “gasping” for revenue, it's better to focus on the basics: who are my customers, what do my customers want, how can I make something they want and will find valuable? I know from personal experience that it is far easy to get bogged down this sort of “high minded” thinking, and overlook the essentials like, what is our first product or service going to be, how do we make money, and grow the company?

My advice is to be careful with taking Tony's advice too much to heart. Idealism and positive thinking is great (and something I love to embrace) but savvy entrepreneurs also need to be realists.

Do you have a different take?…

I always believe there are room for “me-toos”. If your company brings your own vision, style, and feel to customer service I think it can be just as successful.