Point #5 is spot on. "“Being concerned” makes us feel like we’re doing something when we’re not".
Just watching the news and feeling that I care so much actually makes us less likely to actually do something about it.
Consistent updates(mostly daily) on email with screenshots and quick short screencasts. A lot of times a particular feature takes more than a day to complete and be pushed to some server for client to actually see what it looks like. But if I create in progress screenshots and videos from my dev machine it always impresses my clients.
One more important thing while working with friends; make sure to follow the same due diligence in paper work and business contracts to keep the business separate from friendship. Working with friends comes with it's own set of pros and cons. Keeping things professional will make both business and friendship stronger than ever before.
One who does not shy away from giving honest opinion and criticism. Plus ability to churn the criticism into something constructive for business growth.
As far as the team goes it should be a mix of tech and non-tech members so there is not a similar mindset and ideas from the team. It will help getting different perspectives and viewpoints to various business decisions.
Had left my job over 4 years back and since then have been doing different things time to time. Freelancing, practicing different hobbies. But during this whole time despite achieving moderate success I lost my daily habits and routine. Realizing what was happening to me I have started to be very conscious of what I plan to do everyday and what I achieve. Something as small as cleaning my house to finishing up a trello task for my projects is absolutely worth it. It has not been very long yet but its motivating enough to take it far.