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10 Pieces of Advice from Ben Silbermann – “Don’t Take Too Much Advice”

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Ben Silbermann, the co-founder and former CEO of Pinterest, is one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs of our time.

His journey from a struggling startup founder to leading a multi-billion-dollar company is filled with valuable lessons.

This paradoxical statement holds deep wisdom.

While guidance from mentors and experts is essential, blindly following every piece of advice can dilute your vision and slow your progress.

1. Trust Your Instincts (Even When Others Doubt You)

Pinterest was initially dismissed as a “niche” platform with no real potential.

Investors and industry experts didn’t see its value, but Silbermann believed in his vision.

If you’re deeply convinced about an idea, pursue it — even if others don’t immediately understand it.

2. Focus on What Users Love, Not Just What’s Popular

Instead of chasing trends, Pinterest focused on creating a visually engaging experience that users genuinely loved.

Silbermann prioritized authentic engagement over rapid growth.

Build something people truly want, not just what’s trending.

3. Slow Growth Can Be Sustainable Growth

Pinterest didn’t explode overnight.

It grew steadily, refining its product along the way.

Silbermann once said, ”It’s not about how fast you grow, but how well you grow.”

Sustainable success often comes from patience and persistence, not just speed.

4. Be Comfortable with Being Misunderstood

Many people didn’t “get” Pinterest in its early days.

Instead of changing his idea to fit expectations, Silbermann stuck to his vision.

If you’re doing something truly unique, not everyone will understand it — and that’s okay.

5. Learn from Failure Without Letting It Define You

Before Pinterest, Silbermann worked on an app that failed.

Instead of giving up, he analyzed what went wrong and applied those lessons to his next venture.

Failure is feedback, not the end of the road.

6. Don’t Over-Optimize Too Early

Many startups obsess over scaling before perfecting their core product.

Pinterest focused on making the experience great for early users before expanding.

Get the fundamentals right before worrying about massive growth.

7. Stay Curious and Keep Learning

Silbermann is known for his intellectual curiosity.

He reads extensively and constantly seeks new knowledge.

Lifelong learning keeps you adaptable and innovative.

8. Build a Team That Shares Your Passion

Pinterest’s early team was small but deeply committed.

Silbermann valued passion and alignment over just hiring for skills.

A motivated, mission-driven team is more valuable than a team of experts who lack belief in the vision.

9. Ignore the Noise (Including Excessive Advice)

Silbermann’s famous advice — ”Don’t take too much advice” — stems from the idea that too many opinions can cloud your judgment.

Listen to experts, but filter advice through your own judgment.

10. Success Is a Byproduct of Persistence, Not Perfection

Pinterest faced multiple rejections before gaining traction.

Silbermann’s persistence, not perfectionism, led to success.

Keep going, even when progress seems slow.

The Power of Independent Thinking

Ben Silbermann’s journey teaches us that true innovation comes from believing in your vision, even when others don’t.

While advice can be helpful, relying too much on external validation can stifle creativity.

The next time you’re bombarded with opinions, remember Silbermann’s wisdom:

”Don’t take too much advice.”

Instead, trust your instincts, stay persistent, and build something meaningful — on your own terms.

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