Discover how to build a successful software business by challenging conventional startup advice in this keynote address from EuroPython 2018. Learn from Ines Montani's experience in creating a thriving company around commercial developer tools and the open-source library spaCy. Explore misconceptions about startup success, the value of complementary skills, decision-making strategies, and the importance of work-life balance. Gain insights on assessing failure, optimizing for long-term growth, and the benefits of building a "middle-class" company. Understand the true value of your product, the significance of specialist generalists, and how to navigate the software industry's challenges while staying true to your vision.