I didn’t start my business on my own. Sure, I’m the only founder, and I conceived the ideas that my company, Jotform, is built around.

But it’s also true that I would not be where I am today without the mentors I looked to for advice and guidance. Some of the rules I credit with Jotform’s success — for example, that I hire only when I’ve got a year’s salary already in the bank — were lifted directly from other founders who showed me the way.

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