Of all the marketing and business books I’ve read about starting a new business, this is simply the most important information every budding entrepreneur should know.

To entrepreneurs: The business climate is always going to be tough. Always. Building a successful company = sweat and blood for 5+ years…

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

(cont.) Scaling it = 10+ years. You're in for the fight of your life. The odds are stacked against you. It's the hardest thing in the world.

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

(cont.) So if you don't have the heart, the brass and the passion to commit gutting it out, save yourself the headache…

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

(cont.) If you have what it takes though, if you go all-in, then go all-in. Don't go half-in and then complain when things get tough.

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

(cont.) The lamest thing in the world is an "entrepreneur" who blames the government or the economy for his or her business headaches.

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

(cont.) The government isn't standing in anyone's way. The economy isn'y either. No one is stopping you.

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

The only people who find excuses are the ones who go looking for them. If you have problems, either solve or circumvent them. Find a way.

— Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) September 6, 2012

For more great insights and articles by Olivier, I highly recommend you visit his blog.