Every startup community has seen them — the self-appointed leaders who appear out of nowhere, make a lot of noise, and suddenly land on a big stage or in a glossy national publication. They throw cash at marketing campaigns, host high-profile but low-attendee events, or pull off a well-intended stunt that gets them in the headlines. And for a moment, it works. Your city is in play! And those leaders look like visionaries, like the face of their city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. But here’s the thing: fame always fades, and without real substance, it fades fast.

Building a strong startup community isn’t about getting press. It isn’t about getting a selfie with the governor or landing a keynote at a major conference. But for some leaders, those shortcuts are too tempting to resist. Instead of doing the unglamorous work — supporting founders, creating real connections, and laying the infrastructure for long-term success — they chase the spotlight. They mistake visibility for credibility.

The problem? Founders recognize the scam and turn off your feed (they don't have the time for it).

The real work happens in the trenches:

• Founders need support before they need media coverage.

• Networks have to be built on trust, not hype.

• Events should serve entrepreneurs, not egos.

When startup community leaders opt for stunts instead of systems, they create a mirage of progress. The outside world might be fooled for a moment, but the founders in that community — the ones actually doing the hard work — see right through it.

Ask any strong startup community how they got there, and they’ll tell you: it took years. They connected people over coffee. They made introductions without expecting anything in return. They built an environment where entrepreneurs could thrive — not because it made them look good, but because it was the right thing to do.

I am a champion of startup ecosystems, and often talk about the importance of small, consistent actions over time. Success isn’t about one big event or one breakout startup — it’s about creating the conditions for lots of startups to grow, for years to come.

So if you’re leading a startup community (or thinking about it), ask yourself: Do you want a legacy, or just a moment in the spotlight? Because the shortcuts might look appealing, but the real rewards only come to those who put in the work.

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