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# "Basecamp was done almost entirely without risk."
- URL: https://werd.io/basecamp-was-done-almost-entirely-without-risk/
- Published: 2011-04-22T13:42:42.000Z
- Updated: 2025-06-12T11:00:47.000Z
- Author: Ben Werdmuller
- Tags: General, #ben-684a32da145d7d001be71dae, 37 signals, basecamp, business, entrepreneurship, risk, #Migrated-1749693130536, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-06-11 21:52

[I really like this quote from 37 signals:](http://37signals.com/svn/posts/2867-basecamp-was-done-almost-entirely-without)

> Basecamp was done almost entirely without risk. It was completely self-funded. We treated it as a side-product and a side-project until it could pay the bills. And only then did we make it the main focus of the company.  
>  
> I absolutely hate risk. I think it’s a misnomer that entrepreneurs somehow are in love with risk and making big gambles and taking big bets. I think that’s probably true for some. It’s certainly not true for me. And I think it’s certainly not true for a large constituency of other successful entrepreneurs.  
>  
> I think the act of putting yourself in a position where you’re not forced to take on all this risk and bet everything is the hallmark of running things well.

The comments are worth a read too. In particular, I agree with the assertion that if your job doesn't allow you to have site projects, you should get a new job.