Founders Evolving into Leaders
Investors and some founders won’t want to hear this, but founders don’t start out as good leaders. In fact, the longer it takes for a company to realize its potential, the more likely it is for a...
View ArticleFounders, Assume Your Plan is Wrong
Founders should be optimistic or what’s the point, right? But founders also should assume their current plan is wrong. They just don’t know why – yet. Being a founder is one big dichotomy – having a...
View ArticleCustomer Funding is More than Money
Investor funding is great, but it isn’t nearly as good as customer funding. Internal funding is also great, but that too doesn’t hold a candle to customer funding. If you really want the pressure to...
View ArticleWhy is No One Solving the Problem You Are?
I have received pitch decks, mentored founders, and spoken with entrepreneurs who claim that no one is solving the problem they are. This fact always comes with great enthusiasm. If I don’t share their...
View ArticleBeware the Side Hustle
My grandfather had a saying, “If you chase too many rabbits at the same time you will end up with none.” I’ve come to agree with him. With rise of the hustle culture, a term which I am not a fan of and...
View ArticleWhy Pitch Competitions Aren’t Good for Startups
Pitch competitions are all the rage for startups. The pandemic has slowed them a bit with only some transitioning to being virtual, but they are still on-going and likely to pick up speed again in...
View ArticleThe Experience Trap
Although experience is often an asset, when it comes to creating new products, it can be a trap. I was meeting with some members of the innovation team at a large insurance company as we were working...
View Article10 Things Survivalists & Entrepreneurs Have In Common
I like survival shows. The minimalism and realism speak to me. The experiences of the survivalists also remind me of entrepreneurship. Survivalists and entrepreneurs have a lot in common… 1....
View ArticleFounders: Be Patient
There are startup mantras like “Move fast and break things” that reverberate in founders’ heads. Speed is essential for startups, and founders need to be decisive, but founders who find themselves...
View ArticleAre You Ready for a Seat on a Rocket Ship?
“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat.” -Sheryl Sandberg Picking a rocket ship isn’t as easy as the quote would make it seem. Sure, if a company raises a boatload of capital,...
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