I wanna go fast! Startups are all about scale and speed (or so I read on Twitter) and my genius idea is no different. How could there possibly be a case for growing slowly if what I really want is a game-changing startup?
Beware the Absentee Landlord of Equity
I’ve got a cofounder who is leaving the company and has a huge chunk of equity. Am I missing something or do they now get the same amount of value that I’ve got except they never have to work for it again while I slave away for the same benefit for the next decade?
Startup Culture is a Reflection of its Founders
The culture of my startup is starting to head south. People are starting to get real toxic, everyone’s complaining that they are overworked, and the vibe is getting really bad. Where is all this coming from and how do I change course?
Why Cofounders Often Don’t Last
I’m talking to my new Cofounder about how we split up equity but in the back of my mind, it occurred to me that they may not stick with this thing. Should I be concerned that my Cofounder could up and leave some point, and if so, how should I plan for it?
Adding Staff Isn’t a Sign of Success, Revenue is
Celebrating adding staff is like celebrating the cost of a wedding — it’s the liability, not the achievement. If staffing up isn’t a sign of success, then why do so many startups shout from the rooftops about how quickly they are scaling up? Doesn’t adding staff mean that a startup must be doing well? Growth and staffing go hand in hand right?
The Lesson We Get From “Once-Hot” Startups
I’ve watched tons of ‘once hot’ startups come and go, from Meerkat to Quibi, WeWork to Theranos. What are some of the things we can learn as Founders about how to manage our own startups when everyone is telling us how amazing we are? What are some of the pitfalls that come with the new hotness?
Is This the Right Cofounder?
I’m starting to wonder whether my co-founder is the right fit. At first, they seemed really engaged, and I thought we could build something great, but lately, I’m starting to second-guess partnering with them at all. How can I tell if this is the right person, and if it’s not — how do I get out of this?
Why Isn’t Anyone as Committed as the Founder?
Why can’t I find anyone to work at my startup that is as committed as I am as a Founder? I’ve created comp structures and upside, and yet I still feel like I’m the last person standing when it comes to really being committed to this thing. Is it me or is this just the way things at startups go?
Raising Money is a One Way Street
I’m thinking about raising money but I’m a little concerned about how having investors might change my potential path. I understand the upside of having investors, but are there some downsides I should be concerned about?
Why Selling a Startup Brings No Validation
When I finally exit my startup, am I going to feel that sensation that Tom Brady must feel after he wins Superbowls? Like a ticker-tape parade to my victory, only the ticker tape is made out of $100 bills and my arm falls off from high fiving everyone?