I talked with an early founder with a promising business. He said he wants investors and team members who aren’t just along for the ride. He wants people who’ve bought into his vision and will roll up their sleeves and help turn it into reality. As he so eloquently put it, he doesn’t want dead weight.

I laughed at the dead weight comment, but he’s right. Founders should want people who’ll help them along the journey by making meaningful contributions. And they shouldn’t just pull along people who don’t contribute.

Entrepreneurship and start-ups have become very popular. Many people are aware of the potential rewards that await and want to reap them. What they don’t understand is what it takes to make it to a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The journey isn’t pretty. It takes a lot of grit and sacrifice. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart or those who don’t believe in what they’re doing.

If you’re an early founder looking to build something great, try to surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re trying to do and genuinely want to help you do it.