If your not using an electric starter, borrow one. This kind of crap is what discourages new guys and they quit. Even the best and most expensive engines sometimes are difficult to start. Using a stupid "chicken stick" or your finger is going to get you nowhere. You could squirt a bit of fuel down the carb to kind of prime it.

I run some of the best engines on the market. If I had to rely on a "chicken stick" instead of an electric starter. I would be flying kites.