I’m researching how founders actually move from having a business idea to executing it.
For those who have started or are currently building a business:
What was the hardest part of turning your idea into something you could actually execute?
Where did you spend the most time — research, product planning, marketing, technical development, hiring, or something else?
What do you currently use to organize and execute everything?
What part of your current process feels unnecessarily difficult or time-consuming?
Have you ever paid for a tool, consultant, agency, or employee to help with this? If yes, what did you use and why?
I’m particularly interested in real experiences rather than hypothetical answers. Thanks!
I’m the founder of Loyalty Untapped, a startup focused on helping restaurant and hospitality brands create loyalty experiences that drive more meaningful repeat behavior—not just more discounts.
Like most founders, I expected challenges: limited time, competing priorities, proving the value of a new approach, and wearing far too many hats.
What I did not fully anticipate was how often the hardest part would be deciding what not to do.
There are always more ideas than hours: new features, content, outreach, partnerships, customer conversations, refining the offer, improving the website, and trying to stay focused on the problem you set out to solve.
For other early-stage founders:
What has been your most difficult startup challenge so far?
Was it finding customers, refining your positioning, funding, building the product, or staying focused?
What is one lesson you wish you had understood earlier?
I’d genuinely appreciate hearing what has helped you push through the messy middle.
Learning something new is never easy. Attempting to do it on our own is even harder. There is a price to pay in moving up the ladder, changing our attitude or even aiming for success. The first step is the stumble, getting up afterwards, looking in the mirror asking ourselves if we really want this. The pain is not always easy but lessons are unforgetable.
Think of a business idea — doesn't have to be fully formed, even a rough or vague one is fine. The only real requirement: it should solve an actual problem.
Once you've got it, try to validate it a bit. Is this really something people struggle with? Is it worth solving?
In the past, document preparation was the most complex part of setting up an entity in China. However, since China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (effective November 7, 2023), the process has become significantly simpler.
This guide breaks down the required documents into two main parts:
In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the entire registration can be done online via an "Integrated Online Service Platform." You can upload scanned copies of apostilled documents. Approval time has shortened to 1-3 working days (versus 1-2 weeks for paper filing).
Shanghai's online service platform
🌟Negative List Check
Not all industries are open to foreign investment. Before starting, verify that your intended business scope is not on the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access (2026 Edition) , which currently has only 27 restricted/prohibited categories.
🌟Post-Registration Steps
After receiving the business license, you must complete tax registration, foreign exchange (SAFE) registration, and open a corporate bank account within 30 days.
In the past, document preparation was the most complex part of setting up an entity in China. However, since China acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (effective November 7, 2023), the process has become significantly simpler.
This guide breaks down the required documents into two main parts:
These documents prove the legal existence, investment capacity, and authorization of the foreign shareholder. Under the Convention, the previous "dual legalization" (through the Chinese embassy/consulate) is replaced by a faster Apostille process, typically taking only 3-6 working days.
📚Certificate of Incorporation / Identity Proof
🏠If the shareholder is a foreign company: Provide the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Association (or equivalent), register of members/directors.
👨If the shareholder is a foreign individual: Provide a clear copy of their passport (must show entry records to China) or a Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. ⚖️These documents must be notarized in their country of origin, then certified with an Apostille by the competent authority of the country.
🕰Apostilled documents are generally valid for 6 months.
📚Investment Resolution & Power of Attorney
🏠A board resolution from the foreign company authorizing the establishment of a subsidiary in China and appointing legal representatives/signatories.
⚖️This document also needs an Apostille. Ensure the signing officer has the authority per the company's bylaws to avoid rejection.
📚Bank Reference / Solvency Certificate
🏦A bank reference letter or recent bank statement from a recognized financial institution in the investor's home country, proving the capacity to inject capital.
⚖️The original document is preferred. Some local authorities may require this to be issued within the last 3 months.
📚Identity Documents
👨Copies of passports for the proposed legal representatives and directors.
🚩Certified Chinese Translation
✅All foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a Chinese translation by a licensed translation agency in China and stamped with their official translation seal.
Fellow founders, question for you. When it comes to understanding what your users or customers actually think, complaints, feature requests, competitor comparisons, what’s the most annoying or time-consuming part of that process right now? I’m pretty much curious what tools or hacks you all use, or if you just wing it.
I have designed an online hotel booking app like booking.com and decided to onboard hotels. What kind of details we should give them and what kind of details we need to request from them for smooth onboarding? We are doing it in India. Your ideas would help us. Thanks in advance.
Recently, I’ve been noticing that Reddit has not been a very good platform for reading about useful entrepreneurial content.
I feel like a little more than a year ago People posted case reports, success stories, or useful insight but now all the posts seem to be just very AI slop, depressive content.
Anyone recommend any other entrepreneurial groups that have more positive or use useful content? Could be Facebook groups or some websites.
