Founding a company can seem like a daunting task.

How in the world can you plan to lead a team, motivate them to execute on something you hope works but with no guarantee, and not losing your mind whilst doing it?

As a founder you’re going to wear the hats of HR, strategy, accounting, finance, people operations, customer success, sales, etc.

You name it you’ll probably be it.

So, if you’re thinking about starting a company here is a simplified list of things to consider:

1. Idea – Specifically, an idea that solves a problem that people are willing to pay to fix
2. Set of skills to execute – Determined, resilient, and a get it done mentality
3. Ability to build a team that will do things you can’t – Motivate people, convince them to join your team and take ownership
4. Money to pay yourself and people – Ability to fundraise and get an idea off the ground
5. Mental stamina – Probably one of the most important and easiest to be caught by. A startup can (and some would argue should) be all encompassing. It will chew and spit you out all while you pledge allegiance to a diet of peanut butter while working 17 hour days.

Do not be daunted, but consider these simple list so as not to run in blindly into the market.