'm going to let you in on a little secret. Contrary to what many aspiring entrepreneurs believe, the key to a successful startup does not rest upon having a unique, one-of-a-kind idea. Now, don't get me wrong. A good idea is a necessary starting point for any new business, but that's all it is. As VC and entrepreneurship teacher Rob Adams points out, ideas are not scarce: they're commodities. Virtually any idea worth pursuing has already been done. What is rare, on the other hand, is the ability to execute an idea and turn it into a profitable business. That's why so many startups fail year after year.
