Don’t just clap from the sidelines.

Startups don’t run on capital alone. They run on belief.

If you’ve ever had a friend start something new, whether it’s a platform, a product, a podcast, or even just a page on Instagram, you probably saw that initial fire in their eyes. That spark of excitement. The idea that this might be the thing that changes everything.

But what you don’t always see is what happens after that first week. The moment after the first few likes trickle in, when momentum slows, when the founder hits a wall, it gets lonely fast.

As someone who’s been in the trenches a few times and is building something new, The Golfer Network, I’ve experienced both the highs and the harsh silences of early startup life. And here’s something most people don’t talk about: early support matters more than you think.

A Like Is More Than a Like

It might feel small to follow your mate’s new page. To share their post. To sign up for their waitlist. But for a founder staring down the barrel of uncertainty, those actions are oxygen.

They say, “I see you.”

They say, “You’re not alone.”

They say, “Keep going.”

And they’re contagious. Your support signals to others that something is worth checking out. It creates momentum. It builds community.

Support ≠ Silence

Supporting a startup doesn’t mean blind praise. In fact, honest, constructive feedback is one of the most valuable gifts you can offer. Ask questions. Offer ideas. Say what didn’t land for you. The goal isn’t to flatter, it’s to help shape something better.

But here’s the thing: indifference helps no one, especially from people in positions of influence or those working in parallel spaces who’d rather protect their patch than contribute to something greater.

We Rise By Lifting Others

When I launched The Golfer Network, I was lucky to have a cohort of friends willing to jump on and take a look at what I was up to, test the platform, give thoughtful feedback, and help me iterate it into something stronger. It was exactly the kind of support founders crave.

On the flip side, I’ve also seen other businesses in the industry actively avoid engaging. Not because they’re uninterested, but because they’re more concerned with preserving their walled gardens.

And I get it. Innovation feels risky. But here’s the truth:

Collaboration grows markets. Silos shrink them.

This Isn’t Just About Golf. It’s About the Startup Ecosystem

The Golfer Network is about community. About giving creators, clubs, players, and groups a space to connect and grow. Yet many communities are unwilling to engage, too protective of their databases, and slow to see bigger opportunities.

Imagine what we could build if we weren’t all just guarding our corners, but instead raising the tide for everyone.

Enough with the Lip Service

Every day, I scroll through LinkedIn and see post after post about “helping others,” “founder empathy,” and “building community.” But where are these people when a real founder asks for 5 minutes of their attention?

Too often, the loudest voices on social media are the quietest ones when real support is needed.

Founders Need You in the Arena

So here’s my ask:

If you know someone building something, anything, take 30 seconds to support them.

Click the link. Share the post. Give real feedback. Make an intro. Show up.

Because in those dark, early days, your simple act of encouragement can be the difference between quitting and continuing. Between something that fades and something that flies.

And if you’re a founder reading this, keep going. The right people will show up, and one day, you’ll hopefully be that person for someone else.

Support is free. But its impact is priceless.