That being said, I started the freelancing after dropping out of college in my 3rd year. After that, I metaphorically fell down some steps, through a concrete floor, got back up and decided to do stuff with data.
3 years later I'm backpacking in the valley doing sales AND implementing crazy deep learning data tech.
It seriously just takes persistence. Screw the naysayers. You SHOULD listen to criticism and consider it objectively though. Making money is a good guiding compass.
Most people just to expect VC to fall in to their lap. I don't understand the mentality of these consumer startups that are hoping for these instagram exits.
They'll spend years with no revenue, no freedom if they get funding, because they realize that they have responsibilities now. Not to mention the engineers they hire with the allure of a tennis table and beer on tap. What does that do for you? Now I'm doing more by myself than many teams could dream of.
I'm hoping to find the right cofounder if one comes along, but really the only thing that's missing to scale is a designer/hustler (yes both) .