TechCrunch LA

JUNE 3, 2022

On Lafayette Street in SoHo, young, fashionable women lined up around the block to enter a minimalist, millennial oasis, the most perfect Instagram feed brought to life. After all, Glossier’s founder and CEO Emily Weiss is very, very far from the first entrepreneur to profit off of our desire to look good. And who cares?

Startup 280

Startup Netflix Los Angeles Innocal 280

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2019

In an age of ever increasing marketing spend to attract customers, how do you make sure you aren't spending more acquiring a company than they are worth? Los Angeles-based Retina is using machine learning and artificial intelligence to figure out customer lifetime value (CLV) for such businesses as Dollar Shave Club. What is Retina Go?

Dollar Shave Club 113

Dollar Shave Club Artificial Inteligence Customer Custom 113

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 6, 2018

The best entrepreneurs in our industry focus on it year-round as opposed to just once every 18 months. Rather than overwhelm you with a super long Suster post I thought I’d break it up into a series of 13 (or so, might expand) posts. The investor is a customer and they have money to spend but only for a limited number of companies.

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Funding Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 236

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2017

Today’s customers are overloaded and overwhelmed by too much information, so making a decision is a challenge. You may think this is only important to your marketing and sales people, but in reality it doesn’t matter how great your product or technology might be, you won’t succeed if you don’t understand your target customer decision process.

Sales 82

Sales Entrepreneur Customer Custom 82

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2017

Not so long ago, every business assumed that the keys to success were the highest quality product, the best value for the buck, and the best customer service. Now all we hear about is providing the best “customer experience.” Entrepreneur of the Year” finalist. Every relationship requires listening, as well as talking.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Product Marketing 85

Tech.Co

FEBRUARY 15, 2018

So you’ve finally got your startup up and running. But as you have probably realized at this point in your startup journey, the learning process is constantly changing as your startup reaches new stages. The next stage after a successful seed round is to start proving that your business model can scale.

Startup 100

Startup Tips Tool Entrepreneur 100

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 14, 2019

We spoke with CEO and co-founder Dan LeBlanc , a veteran of ProFlowers and FTD, on how he started the company and he problem the startup is solving for direct to consumer brands. What does your startup do? founded in summer of 2017. What's your background, and how did the startup come about?

Startup 113

Startup Platform Commerce San Diego 113

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2017

In addition, today’s customers judge a company by perceived people relationships through social media, phone conversations, and sales experiences. Thus I believe that business leaders and entrepreneurs need to focus first on people leadership, rather than process leadership. Customers demand more engagement and flexibility.

Entrepreneur 78

Entrepreneur Coach Organization Mentor 78

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2019

It’s enough to drown any business which tries to fight it or ignore it, and it’s an opportunity to ride higher and faster than even the successes of Google and Facebook, for those startups that use it as their driving force. exabytes per month at the end of 2017, of which more than half was video. Smartphone penetration in the U.S.

Technology 97

Technology Social Media Startup Entertainment 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2017

New entrepreneurs are always looking for a shortcut in getting their venture story and plan across to investors, and closing on the funding they need. The canvas is a visual chart with elements describing your value proposition, structure, finances, and customers, to help companies identify and align business activities.

Funding 57

Funding Startup Activity Customer 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

According to a recent poll , contractors and freelancers could make up half of the American workforce within a decade. In addition, like an entrepreneur with a new business, you have to factor in all the indirect costs previously covered by employers, including training, health care, and time off for vacations.

Startup 98

Startup Outsource Development Competition Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 28, 2017

With the advent of the Internet, social media, and instant communication via texting, customer expectations for service, as part of their entire customer experience, have changed. They expect you to be there, to know their history as a customer, and to treat them with priority and respect.

Customer 57

Customer Custom Services Social Media 57

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Entrepreneurs are people who dream up new ideas, and then commercialize them into new businesses. Most people believe that the hard part is coming up with the idea, and the easy part is turning it into a business. Don’t assume anything until you have done market research and listened to real customers.

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Ideas Startup Metrics Entrepreneur 72

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Unless you are a serial entrepreneur with a string of successes behind you, you need a business plan to convince investors that you can build a business out of the dream that has been driving your passion to change the world. Marketing, sales, and customer experience. Skip the acronyms and jargon.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2017

This movement, coupled with free websites and apps, makes it possible for almost any technical person to start a business. This technology is not only spawning a new generation of entrepreneurs, but is also changing the educational landscape, all the way down to early grade school. Meeting the new consumer demand for customization.

Ideas 61

Ideas Outsource Development Startup Education 61

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 5, 2017

If your dream has long been to start and manage your own business, there is no time like the present to get started. Statistics show that the failure rate for new businesses within the first four years is fifty percent or greater, even with companies that have a large startup budget. Customer service is not just fixing problems.

Social Media 57

Social Media Search Engine Optimization Startup Customer 57

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 7, 2017

Entrepreneurs always work hard to create an innovative product or service, but often count on standard seller marketing for sales. But the reality is that sellers are no longer in charge of the customer buying process. The best way to do this is with real customer interviews. Don’t start from how you want to sell.

Search Engine Optimization 58

Search Engine Optimization Startup SEO Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2017

As an advisor to startups and entrepreneurs, I often hear the myth that all new businesses must start with a great idea. I believe the best entrepreneurs start by finding a large opportunity, and only then use good ideas to capitalize on that opportunity. I have to disagree.

Ideas 59

Ideas Startup Examples Entrepreneur 59

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2017

As an advisor to early-stage entrepreneurs, I see a lot of dreams, but not so many business results. I’ve always wished I had a magic metaphor to motivate the best dreamers to become the best entrepreneurs. There is no cookie-cutter route to success as an entrepreneur. Never give up in the face of adversity.

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Startup Entrepreneur Social Media Coach 63

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

San Diego-based uCast Global (www.ucastglobal.com), backed by Gary Winnick, is looking to tackle that entire area of content distribution, and is led by startup veteran Dr. Kanaan Jemili. We caught up with Kanaan to learn more about uCast Global. Those technologies allow us to scale and offer a superior product for customers.

Content 113

Content Startup Mobile Platform 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2017

Even the most diligent investors are often surprised by apparently solid business startups that fail, while others succeed, despite the odds. I found this perspective validated in a new book, “ Plan Commit Win: 90 Days to Creating a Fundable Startup ,” by serial entrepreneur and strategic consultant Patrick Henry.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Startup Mentor Study 60

socalTECH

APRIL 2, 2018

As part of our sponsor relationship with the conference, we're running a series of interviews with speakers from the conference about their experience in the area of recurring revenue, customer service, and similar topics. We have an incredibly passionate and dedicated team, and they are great advocates for the customer.

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SaaS Conference Customer Custom 100

socalTECH

MARCH 30, 2018

As part of our sponsor relationship with the conference, we're running a series of interviews with speakers from the conference about their experience in the area of recurring revenue, customer service, and similar topics. We have an incredibly passionate and dedicated team, and they are great advocates for the customer.

SaaS 100

SaaS Conference Customer Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2017

As a new business advisor and technologist, I often think about the large array of opportunities for entrepreneurs as technology seems to be evolving faster and faster. Yet I still too often hear the question, “Can you give me a really sure-fire idea for starting my own business?” Future opportunities for entrepreneurs are endless.

Artificial Inteligence 57

Artificial Inteligence Technology Ideas Startup 57

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2017

Starting a new business is a long, hard process, and I can’t blame any founder for looking for shortcuts. I recommend starting early with a cheap and simple Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), and converting later to a C-Corporation, if required. Focus on products and customers, and trust your accountant.

Entrepreneur 72

Entrepreneur Competition Customer Custom 72

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2017

Every startup and every new business needs a unique selling proposition (USP) to get people’s attention these days, and make it stand out in the information overload we all see. I’m looking for the “hook” right up front, or I lose interest quickly, just like every customer and investor these days.

Startup 58

Startup Education Ideas Customer 58

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2017

As an angel investor and business advisor on new ventures, I expect to see five-year financial projections from every entrepreneur. Does this entrepreneur understand the basics of business costs in the selected business domain, growth dynamics, and the competitive environment? Project unit-volume and price levels.

Pricing 57

Pricing Startup Entrepreneur Invest 57

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 10, 2017

Every entrepreneur I know has a few bad habits they intended to overcome a long time ago, such as micromanaging, or failure to get enough rest and relaxation. They point out that establishing good habits and getting rid of bad ones involves the same basic skills; goal setting and motivation, getting started, and staying on track.

Writing 84

Writing Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 84

TechCrunch LA

DECEMBER 19, 2018

With lead investors like Fika Ventures and Fathom Capital, and co-investors, including Toyota AI Ventures, Ubiquity Ventures, Riot.vc, Osage University Partners and Stage Venture Partners, Elementary Robotics is readying itself for commercial pilots with a few undisclosed customers as it proves out its technology.

Los Angeles 207

Los Angeles Angel Artificial Inteligence CalTech 207

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2017

Today I find that some entrepreneurs, are putting all their focus on a social or environmental cause, and perhaps naively expect that purpose alone will lead to a sustainable business. If team members and customers can’t relate to your purpose, or don’t agree with it, your business will not thrive.

Satisfaction 56

Satisfaction Customer Custom Startup 56

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

How did you start Happy Returns? We ended up being acquired by Nordstrom. Customers heavily adopted in-person returns. We saw the steady stream of customers Nordstrom Rack was getting from HauteLook shoppers, and we realized that we could do that same thing with any retailer. HauteLook saw that very quickly.

Training 100

Training Customer Custom Software Review 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2017

One of the biggest challenges in changing your lifestyle from an employee to starting your own business, is focusing on the right ownership elements, versus having a boss who sets the business goals, and provides performance feedback. I now believe that every entrepreneur needs to think like an A-Player.

Entrepreneur 54

Entrepreneur Customer Custom Competition 54

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2017

Parents, it’s never too early to start nurturing entrepreneurial talents in your kids! As an active business advisor and angel investor, I’m convinced that we are rapidly entering a new age of the entrepreneur, and those who are best prepared will be the first to reap some big rewards. Find corporate sponsors to reduce startup costs.

Coach 80

Coach Entrepreneur Ideas Class 80

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2017

I was mentoring some graduate students at a local university recently, and I sensed again that profit seems to be a dirty word these days to many aspiring entrepreneurs. I’m certainly not a fan of customer rip-offs, but even non-profits have to be cash-flow positive, or have deep pockets, to help anyone for long.

Pricing 66

Pricing Customer Custom Advertising 66

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2017

Based on my own experience as a startup investor, and feedback from like-minded friends, we all get pitches for at least ten startup ideas for every one new business plan. Amazon offers a multitude of books with free ideas, such as “ Small Business Ideas ,” and “ Business Ideas: 100 Starting Points to Make Money.”

Ideas 74

Ideas Social Media Startup Customer 74

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2017

They flocked to businesses like Apple, when influencer Steve Jobs was at the helm, and anxiously await the next moves from visible entrepreneurs, including Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Customers need to believe that you are one of them. Going out of your way to help a customer or help a good cause pays big dividends these days.

Social Media 58

Social Media Customer Custom Entrepreneur 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2017

We are living in a new generation of business, where customers drive the experience, and highly engaged employees are required to keep up with customer expectations. True leaders are tenacious, determined, and self-starting. Marty Zwilling First published on Huffington Post on 10/06/2017.

Entrepreneur 59

Entrepreneur Customer Custom Coach 59