Are there any benefits to being a Founder who came from nothing? What kind of behaviors or expectations might they have which are an advantage at a startup company and why?
What Do We Owe Our Employees?
What do we Founders “owe” our employees? For all of the work they invest, what return should they rightfully expect on that effort? Who determines that payback, and how do we determine what’s sufficient?
Hey Founders – Here’s How to Take a Hint From Investors
How many follow up emails should I be sending prospective investors? How do I toe the line between being consistent on my follow up and just being a straight-up stalker? I don’t want to miss my opportunity but I’m not sure how this game is played exactly.
Hey Investors – Here’s how to Say “No” to Founders
I’m meeting with lots of investors and I can’t seem to get a straight answer on where they stand. I’m either getting my teeth kicked in or getting strung along! Why can’t investors just give me a simple yes/no without me feeling bruised or confused?
How to Create Career Paths at a Small Startup
How does someone “grow” in an organization that may never surpass a dozen people? My team wants is always comparing their growth path at my startup versus a big company — how do I become a better alternative?
Money Doesn’t Define a Successful Startup
Why are we perfectly comfortable using money as the metric for startup success at the expense of pretty much every other aspect of our lives? When we use money as the only metric, what other compromises are we making to get there, and frankly, is it even worth it?
Optimize for the Probability of Outcomes, Not Size
Why do we talk about how big our startups could be before we talk about how likely we are to get there? What’s the point of going after a billion dollars if we can far more likely achieve a million dollars? Who’s really driving these decisions?
Why Our Founder Reputation Matters
How does my reputation as a Founder (not my startup) affect me over the long term? If my reputation is tarnished, where will it hurt me? Where does that reputation really come from anyway and what can I do to develop it?
Why You Need to Form an Advisory Board to Help Raise Capital
Is this you – “I’m thinking about raising capital but I don’t know where to start. How do I start building a network of people who can help make introductions to investors and guide me through the process”. Read on…
The Right Way to Ask for an Introduction
I saw someone in your social network that I’d love to get an introduction to. How can I make that ask while making you feel good about doing it?