Ideas are Cheap, Execution is Expensive: Ali Debow on pivoting, focused attention, and maintaining your energy
This is a feature from the “Fueling Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs” podcast episode: “Ideas are Cheap, Execution is Expensive: Ali Debow on dropping out of NYU & launching 2.5mil USD tech startup swsh”. Listen to the full episode here.
In entrepreneurship, Ali Debow exemplifies the fearless pursuit of big dreams. From networking in a new country to iterating on multiple versions of her app, Ali's story is one of determination, adaptability, and the power of optimism. Her journey offers an inspiring blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Fuel Behind Entrepreneurship
What drives Ali as an entrepreneur? For her, it’s about courage and relentless optimism. “I’m never afraid to go up to someone and talk to them, so I’m never afraid to try an idea,” Ali shares. This fearlessness allows her to take risks, but her mindset truly sets her apart. “Be relentlessly optimistic with the ideas you pursue, and be naive about it,” she says.
Ali’s emphasis on naivety might seem counterintuitive, but it’s an advantage for her. “I used to think that naivety was a disadvantage, but in reality, it’s an advantage because you can dream so much bigger.” Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Be the curious, “stupid one” in the room—never stop asking questions or dreaming big.
The Hustle of Building a Network
Ali’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Moving to a new country presented its own set of obstacles, particularly when it came to making connections. “In 2021, I would sit at a computer and randomly DM people on LinkedIn, saying ‘Hey, love your entrepreneurial journey, would love to chat sometime.’” While many didn’t respond, those who did became her first friends and connections.
This proactive approach highlights Ali’s belief that you have to hustle—not just for your business but for relationships, too. “Friends don’t just appear out of nowhere. You gotta hustle a bit for your friends and for your network,” she advises.
swsh: From Idea to Iteration
The journey of building her app, swsh, is a lesson in pivoting and persistence. Originally designed as a shared calendar for friends, the app evolved through several iterations before finding its true purpose. “We started as a shared calendar, then pivoted to a Finsta-style thing, then to data-sharing, and then polls. But nothing felt right.” After months of searching for direction, Ali and her team had a breakthrough. “We had this ego death where we were like, ‘What’s the point? What are we building?’ That’s when we figured it out—Swsh became about sharing memories and connections after events.”
The key to their success? Iteration and resilience. “The first idea you have isn’t going to be the best one,” Ali says. “Get as many reps in. Learn how to fail fast and correct.” For Ali, entrepreneurship is about showing up daily and tuning your ideas.
Execution and Delusional Confidence
Ali’s success isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution. “Doing something is even 1% better than doing nothing,” she emphasizes. While many entrepreneurs talk about small steps, Ali’s version of “small” is anything but. “We sent five apps to the App Store,” she notes, illustrating her team’s dedication to putting their ideas into the world, refining and improving them each time.
At the core of her approach is what she calls "delusional confidence." “We would look at each other and be like, ‘Yeah, the three of us, we’re going to figure it out.’ Being delusional was definitely helpful, and I encourage it.
Focus, Energy, and Saying No
As an entrepreneur, Ali has learned the importance of focus and energy management. “Saying no is the strongest thing,” she asserts. “If you have 100 units of energy, every yes takes some of that energy. It adds up. When you say no to something, you’re saying yes to something else.”
Focus is Ali’s word of the year. “Last year, my word was ‘freedom,’ and now it’s ‘focus.’ Everything feels more intentional. Focus allows me to give my best energy to what matters most.”
Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ali’s final words of wisdom are simple yet powerful: “You are the average of the five people around you, so surround yourself with those who inspire you.” And when it comes to execution? “Keep doing the one little thing you have to do every day.”
For anyone looking to build, pivot, or dream big, Ali Debow’s journey offers inspiration. Her relentless optimism, fearless approach to life, and unwavering focus on what matters most make her a role model for entrepreneurs everywhere.
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