Launching 47hats as a consulting firm is a lot like launching my business, only scarier. So happening across Pam Slim’s double dose of fortitude for startups was just what I needed to steady my nerves, stiffen the upper lip and march on.

If you don’t know who Pamela Slim is, you should. Her blog, Escape from Cubicle Nation and her podcast by the same name is must reading and listening in my book. Why? The hardest part of starting a business aren’t the money issues, the endless late nights, or coding. It’s dealing with all the emotional/psychological/social issues. Pam – with wit, insight and more than a little wisdom – addresses these issues, to your benefit.

Case in point: “Dipping your toes in the side of the pool will get you nowhere: Dive in!” It’s this kind of post that makes the blogosphere invaluable. Pam tells the story of her two year old son Josh’s first swimming lesson and how alike that was to what microISVs and other startups go through.

Did I mention her every other week podcast? The best 7 minutes you’ll spend. Case in point, “What to do when you hit the “starting a business is too hard” wall. Perfect!

Rereading and relistening to these gems are on my to do list for the rest of the summer, once a week. They are definitely worth your attention too.