Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2013

On a regular basis, I am approached by entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like a recent BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this NY Times article. If your rich uncle is an accountant, or has his own business, I recommend a good business plan.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Technical Review Writing Slides 100

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

For today's interview, we sat down and talked with Mike Whitmire , the CEO and Co-founder of Los Angeles-based FloQast (www.floqast.com), a developer of financial close management software for enterprise accounting. We were about a year out from our IPO when I joined, to work inside accounting. We're not an accounting system.

Startup 124

Startup Cornerstone OnDemand Software Review Woodland Hills 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2015

Yet many aspiring entrepreneurs I know approach it as a fun project, get-rich quick scheme, or perhaps an expensive hobby. As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Let your passion drive your cash flow projections. Moderate your optimism.

Startup 109

Startup Ideas Framework Entrepreneur 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

socalTECH

JUNE 27, 2011

When I shoed up with a few pages of conceptual, early stage ideas around consumer finance, it was immediately captivating, and it really lined up with what he wanted to do. That's compared to other financial products, which are designed for managing money, and just feel like work. There are three main components of the product.

Startup 197

Startup Ideas Southern California Social Network 197

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2014

Sponsored by VISA Business Running a small business as an entrepreneur is a never-ending challenge of new products, customers, competitors, and an unpredictable economy. Too many entrepreneurs never find the time to reflect on the positives of their lifestyle, or even take a break. Choosing entrepreneurship is no exception.

Startup 92

Startup Tips Satisfaction Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2018

Yet many aspiring entrepreneurs I know approach it as a fun project, get-rich quick scheme, or perhaps an expensive hobby. As an entrepreneur, you need to start early to implement the discipline and business practices that will lead to success. Let your passion drive your cash flow projections. Moderate your optimism.

Startup 63

Startup Ideas Framework Entrepreneur 63

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2012

Equally often, I see startups who are on the road to implementing an idea, but haven’t figured out what problem it solves – the business plan waxes on eloquently for 20 pages about how great this product and technology is, but never gets around to defining the problem (investors call this the “solution looking for a problem” syndrome).

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Ideas Competition Startup 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Anyone can be an entrepreneur today, without a huge investment, bank loans, venture capitalists, or Angels. Here are the key steps for a personal home-based business website selling a few products (as an alternative to Ebay): Go online to reserve a website domain name. Open an account with PayPal. Personalize a simple web site.

Commerce 99

Commerce Startup Sites Tool 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2019

The solution I recommend is to move forward with a few quantifiable steps, to turn your dreams into specific goals and milestones, and then measure your progress and celebrate each small success in achieving these goals and milestones. Do the same for partners and co-founders that will buttress your strengths.

Ideas 99

Ideas Slides Writing Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2013

Anyone can be an entrepreneur today, without a huge investment, bank loans, venture capitalists, or Angels. Here are the key steps for a personal home-based business website selling a few products (as an alternative to Ebay): Go online to reserve a website domain name. Open an account with PayPal. Personalize a simple web site.

Sites 78

Sites Commerce Startup Tool 78

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2011

This is especially true for companies with expensive and complex products or services that are more consultative in nature, like insurance, financial services, home services, education and travel, etc. How has your history with Jason Spievak , Colin Kelley and the rest of the former CallWave team shaped and benefited the company?

Marketing 209

Marketing Advertising Paid Search Startup 209

Tech.Co

AUGUST 1, 2017

Once a novelty act reserved for indie band albums and curious art projects, crowdfunding is starting to play a major role in the world of startups and new products. In fact, the majority of your work should be finished by the time you start your campaign. Rule #3: Do Your Homework. Rule #2: Launch Day is Priority #1.

Startup 93

Startup Social Media Tips Ideas 93

socalTECH

OCTOBER 10, 2013

We''ve now reached critical mass in content, and in Asia we''re number three in the amount of information on products and suppliers online. We went from no suppliers to now over 160,000 suppliers, over two million products online. Tell us about your plans to open up your operations here in Southern California?

Southern California 170

Southern California Startup SoCal CTO Hire 170

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 14, 2013

Creating awareness for your brand and products is one of the lifebloods of technology startups yet in a world where so many companies are being created it becomes difficult to rise above the noise. Ever notice how some companies tend to be in the press all the time and your big new product launch struggled for inches?

Marketing 389

Marketing Press Blogging Startup 389

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 2, 2014

Many startups these days are started by young, technical or product founders who are in the idealistic phase of their lives and careers. – it’s just that the more experience you get in your career the more you come to realize certain truths. Trust me – ignore startup politics at your peril. You know, no b t.”

Startup 385

Startup Coach Course Snapchat 385

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

Anyone can be an entrepreneur today, without a huge investment, bank loans, venture capitalists, or angels. Here are the key steps for a personal home-based business website selling a few products (as an alternative to Ebay): Go online to reserve a website domain name. Open an account with PayPal. Personalize a simple web site.

Commerce 88

Commerce Startup Sites Tool 88

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2014

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like the BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this Forbes article. On the other hand, your mother probably won’t read one.

Technical Review 109

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 109

Tech.Co

AUGUST 16, 2017

Finding potential customers continues to be a huge challenge not only for established marketing and sales teams but also for startup executives and solo entrepreneurs. You need to find lead gen tools that will convert leads, fill your sales funnel, and increase your revenue effectively. Your registration comes with 60 credits.

Tool 81

Tool Startup Help Template 81

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2013

One of the first questions that I get from many entrepreneurs is “How should I set up my company to minimize my setup costs, tax liabilities, and risk of lawsuits?” If you aren’t so sure, need something fast, or need to keep your costs low, then an LLC is the best legal and taxable entity to facilitate your startup.

Startup 93

Startup Tips Examples Guide 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

But rather than dwell on the failures, I’ve tried to extract from them a list of practical action items that will improve your survival probability. I offer these pragmatic recommendations: Buffer your funding requirements. Adapt your strategy monthly. Assume your initial strategy will be wrong. Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2013

Great startups are getting ahead of the game with “anticipatory customer service,” like providing smart phone access to product and account data to head off complaints. Here are seven rules derived from his insights to start your thinking: Customers expect a choice of channels. Respect your customer’s view of usability.

Customer 89

Customer Custom Services High Tech 89

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2013

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your entrepreneurial control.

Startup 89

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 89

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

Everyone recognizes a great entrepreneur when they work with one, but most entrepreneurs don’t know what to look for in themselves that will drive that perception by others. The points are great, but can be made even simpler and more actionable by adapting then to the world of the entrepreneur: Demonstrate character.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

Tech Zulu Event

JUNE 16, 2014

We recently sat down with Luc Berlin, co-founder of Miigle, a SoCal startup that has an aggressive global mission to bring entrepreneurs together from around the world. TZ: In our last interview you said that you were about 25% at capacity of your original vision for Miigle. You can create your startup page in two clicks.

SoCal 104

SoCal Southern California Startup Platform 104

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 3, 2010

They don’t take the time to realize what your true motivations are because they’re too busy telling you what they THINK you want to hear. Trust me – your chances of selling are much lower if you’re talking rather than actively listening. Where are your current pains?&#. I still do this sometimes, too.

Sales 314

Sales Startup Venture Capital Customer 314

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

In my experience, there is no magic gene involved, just simple good habits executed consistently and convincingly until everyone around you wants to follow your example. The points are great, but can be made even simpler and more actionable by adapting then to the world of the entrepreneur: Demonstrate character. Promote resilience.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2013

Equally often, I see startups who are on the road to implementing an idea, but haven’t figured out what problem it solves – the business plan waxes on eloquently for 20 pages about how great this product and technology is, but never gets around to defining the problem (investors call this the “solution looking for a problem” syndrome).

Ideas 99

Ideas Startup Competition Demand 99

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

Lottay's gift are virtual things--anything you want--attached to real money, in a PayPal account. How did Lottay start, and tell us about your Series A? Harry Lin: Lottay originated before me, I've just been barely two months as CEO, from an entrepreneur, Andy Elliott. So, is this launched and fully usable tomorrow?

Evite 157

Evite Startup Ideas Ticketmaster 157

socalTECH

DECEMBER 16, 2009

With Ad.ly, any Twitter user--ranging from your average Joe to a celebrity, can send a tweet on behalf of an advertiser, and get paid for doing so. How'd you decide to start Ad.ly, and what's your background? simply because I am a believer that content creation and distribution is moving from static pages to the stream.

Advertising 189

Advertising Content Startup Social Network 189

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

We took into account innovation and entrepreneurship, style and appeal, originality, community, and value. All that combined is what lead us to the amazing group of participating companies that follow: CapLinked lets entrepreneurs focus on what they do best, while making sure their investors always stay in the loop.

Company 106

Company Companies Web Evite 106

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

Determine whether your business name needs to be trademarked, and if does Trademark it at the USPTO. Protect your written works and code through the Copyright Office. If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. Vet your idea with the idea checklist.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

SoCal Delicious

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Ten Tech Entrepreneurs Who Are Putting LA on the Map. Tech startup accelerators dot the landscape, feeding investments into the waiting arms of the nation’s most intelligent and driven entrepreneurs. Miller was even honored as an Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” for 2011. Follow PandoDaily: Search.

Technical Review 75

Technical Review Entrepreneur Riot Games Southern California 75

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2017

Equally often, I see startups who are on the road to implementing an idea, but haven’t figured out what problem it solves – the business plan waxes on eloquently for 20 pages about how great this product and technology is, but never gets around to defining the problem (investors call this the “solution looking for a problem” syndrome).

Ideas 55

Ideas Startup Competition Demand 55

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 8, 2010

It’s also a great way to build relationships with people interested in your topic area. Define your customers, partners and other relevant people to your organization (e.g. That’s blogging to the echo chamber unless they’re your target customers. How to find your “voice&# ? Be authentic.

Blogging 286

Blogging Startup Writing Summary 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2012

Great startups are getting ahead of the game with “anticipatory customer service,” like providing smart phone access to product and account data to head off complaints. Here are seven rules derived from his insights to start your thinking: Customers expect a choice of channels. Respect your customer’s view of usability.

Customer 97

Customer Custom Services Startup 97