This "friend" (who can be a mentor/spouse/co founder/investor/pen pal ) is essential in the initial years as not only are the first 2 years (often called the graveyard period as success rates could be as low as 1%) very tough from a financial perspective BUT they are also very LONELY.
there are many days where you just want to well.... QUIT... The days when your biggest customer doesnt pay you as he/she doesnt have money OR well just doesnt want to pay... the day when what you thought was going be the business deal which would have paid for 2 months of working capital doesnt come through.... The day when you see an old office colleague buy a new car... the day when your parents tell you "Look at so and so, he has just bought a small flat ,when will you settle down?"... the day when you get up in the morning and ask yourself "WHY DO I HAVE to get all the bad luck ....... ?
It is on those days (and believe me there will be several) when you just need someone to listen to you and and say "Dont worry ... this too shall pass" and not in a condescending or avuncular fashion but in a one to one way. That person is invaluable for you (I had one and believe me i dont think i would have survived 2 business failures if it hadnt been for this friend)
These are the days when you should also go and see a movie (remember the titans is one of my favourites OR if you prefer hindi movies then lagaan should do fine) which talks about people who overcame heavy odds. if you dont have the money see clips online OR borrow from a library!
I also used to read and my personal favourites were business biographies and personally loved the ones on Jamshetji Tata (for the love of india) OR the one on southwest airlines (NUTS). These really inspired me and i would count them also as "friends" ie books as without them i may not have been as inspired to create and constantly challenge myself.
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