It’s difficult to get started-when it comes to dealing with an unknown quantity, people are reluctant to trust their own opinion. It helps if two or three people give you a boost.

Lovett’s remark describes the social dynamics of reputation and early momentum. When someone is an “unknown quantity,” audiences, gatekeepers, and even friends hesitate to rely on their own judgment; they look for external validation before committing attention, money, or trust. The “two or three people” function as early adopters whose endorsement reduces perceived risk and creates a small consensus others can follow. The quote also implies that talent alone is rarely enough at the beginning—careers often hinge on a few timely advocates who provide credibility, introductions, or simple encouragement that helps a person push past the inertia of being unknown.