Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

The road to becoming an entrepreneur is a journey , and it’s not a short trip. Every entrepreneur starts by accepting the reality that you have a rare mindset of joy of discovery, with an intense curiosity about how certain things or people work, or why a new technology hasn’t yet been accepted. The right culture is the key.

Entrepreneur 139

Entrepreneur Help Incubator Startup 139

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

When Ethan was considering leaving Google we talked about it. RedBeacon went on to sell to HomeDepot in what was considered a very successful acquisition on all sides. But Ethan had left by the time of the acquisition. What do we like about OpenTable? ” So Ethan went to work as a product manager at Google Video.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 16, 2014

Of if your VP Sales isn’t complaining about marketing she’s trying to get the function reporting to her. They are irritated because they generated a ton of leads at their trade shows, their webinars and through online acquisition and they’re tired of getting blamed for the Patel leads. What do you do?

Entrepreneur 385

Entrepreneur CTO Hire Startup Sales 385

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2013

What they should be doing is hiring only “entrepreneurs,” meaning people who think and act as if this is their own business. This commitment to hire people who think like entrepreneurs, or instill an “owner’s mindset” in every employee, should be a high priority in every business. Employees will care only about work they create.”

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Training Sales Technical Review 97

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 28, 2018

My friend Michael Broukhim, founder & co-CEO of FabFitFun and I recently had a catch-up meeting for 3-miles on the Santa Monica “Bird Trail” No company has ever elicited so many questions by friends, colleagues, entrepreneurs, fellow VCs and journalists as has Bird, the company that pioneered the electronic scooter as a service market.

Santa Monica 256

Santa Monica Funding Startup Course 256

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 25, 2015

I have written about the deceiving nature of early successes before – in particular in the SaaS or B2B world leading to a phenomenon called “shelfware.” This is why I loved Brad Feld’s recent post about the “ illusion of product / market fit.” ” This, too, is a must read for any entrepreneur.

Product 150

Product Startup Metrics Technical Review 150

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

He is very hands-on and helpful – especially for any company looking into customer acquisition. o CPM model gave him control over the information in the acquisition cycle so he focused on that. - if you don't have experience with venture debt you might want to listen to this bit in the video - we talked a lot about how it works].

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

socalTECH

AUGUST 8, 2016

Tell our readers who haven't heard of Wpromote, what your business is all about? Mike Mothner: The business today, is we are a digital agency focused on customer acquisition and growth for businesses of all types. It's been a long time since we last talked, and it looks like you've grown significantly � tell us a bit about the growth?

Acquisition 100

Acquisition Paid Search El Segundo SEO 100

socalTECH

OCTOBER 17, 2016

(www.science-inc.com), the startup �studio� led by former MySpace CEO and technology veteran Mike Jones , just saw its third acquisition out of its portfolio this year�the acquisition of FameBit by Google/Youtube. What made these three companies successful acquisitions out of all your companies?

Dollar Shave Club 100

Dollar Shave Club Entrepreneur Startup Google 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 1, 2020

Every entrepreneur I know finds it a challenge to balance the joys of entrepreneurship against a set of frustrations they never anticipated. The startup world is all about causing change and reacting to unknowns, so set your expectations early to deal with it. Managing cash is an overwhelming burden, in good times and bad.

Entrepreneur 122

Entrepreneur Startup Course Examples 122

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2013

Every entrepreneur tries to maximize his startup growth by building and selling more product and services for the widest geographic area that he can support. Many entrepreneurs are paranoid about the partnership approach, and think that M&A is only an alternative for large companies who are flush with cash.

Acquisition 88

Acquisition CTO Hire Startup Outsource Development 88

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. The best sale or acquisition is a gradual one, where the acquirer gets to know you through formal and informal relationships.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

socalTECH

OCTOBER 2, 2012

We thought it might be interesting to talk with one of the fund's managing directors, Jeb Spencer about the fund's success in technology investments, plus how it managed to raise another fund in this kind of environment, plus its unique goal of getting companies to an acquisition--and not an IPO.

Acquisition 168

Acquisition Software Review Technical Review Equity 168

SoCal CTO

MARCH 1, 2010

Startup Killer: the Cost of Customer Acquisition | For Entrepreneurs , February 2, 2010 Looks at the critical equation around customer acquisition cost vs. customer lifetime value similar to what I discussed in Startup Metrics but in more depth. Great stuff. This post looks at the implementation details of HTML 5 video.

Pricing 150

Pricing Acquisition Customer Custom 150

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 8, 2014

” It’s the most common refrain I hear from investors and even entrepreneurs these days. I hear it right after people have decided to come by for a few days to “check out what all the fuss is about.” Stuff you may not know about LA? . “There’s something going on in LA.”

Entrepreneur 376

Entrepreneur Snapchat Startup Google 376

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2021

Every entrepreneur tries to maximize his startup growth by building and selling more product and services for the widest geographic area that he can support. Many entrepreneurs are paranoid about the partnership approach, and think that M&A is only an alternative for large companies who are flush with cash.

Organization 132

Organization CTO Hire Outsource Development Startup 132

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2023

Entrepreneurs seem to have blinders on when looking at competitors. Let market response dictate a later split, merger, or acquisition. No entrepreneur has all the insights they need, and none should be so arrogant as to assume they hold all the cards. Think about the future. Willing to learn from each other.

Startup 105

Startup Outsource Competition Entrepreneur 105

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 11, 2013

In many instances, investors simply do not have the patience to wait for an entrepreneur to sufficiently clean up their deal once a significant issue is identified during the due diligence process. Savvy entrepreneurs resolve potentially problematic issues on their own terms, before they begin raising capital. Frictionless Fundraising.

Technical Review 264

Technical Review Entrepreneur IP RSS 264

SoCal CTO

FEBRUARY 17, 2007

skip to main | skip to sidebar SoCal CTO Saturday, February 17, 2007 About this Blog Ive been thinking about doing a blog with my thoughts on technology and whats happening in the Los Angeles area technology scene for a while, but it was Ben Kuos recent start of a blog that inspired me to actually go ahead and do it. Thanks Ben.

Blogging 150

Blogging CTO Coach Southern California CTO Hire 150

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

Most entrepreneurs assume that success is dependent on their product expertise, coupled with some knowledge of how to run a business. Successful entrepreneurs today must practice human-centered leadership to compete and win. Office politics are really about self-interest and self-esteem. Investments and acquisitions fail.

Training 142

Training Coach Startup Entrepreneur 142

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Curious to learn more about the pain and joys of bootstrapping a business, I sat down with Jim Semick, the company’s Co-Founder and Chief Strategist. Who is Mr. Semick and what is ProductPlan all about? We’ve been in business for about four years now. I’m really proud to be a part of launching those products.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Berkonomics

FEBRUARY 25, 2021

How should you become the best marketer you can be, even if you are a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned CEO? Ask you field representatives to debrief you about what they are hearing. Focus upon you as marketing genius. Let’s focus not upon the process of marketing and positioning, but on you. There’s an answer for that. But listen!

Marketing 156

Marketing Metrics Education Resource 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2015

As an advisor to entrepreneurs and active angel investor, I often get questions about the realism of the Shark Tank TV series, compared to professional investor negotiations. Yet the process is eerily realistic, and every entrepreneur can glean some important lessons. There is no substitute for knowing your business.

Entrepreneur 106

Entrepreneur Sample Ideas Customer 106

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 12, 2015

Fredi''s email is worth reading, as it reinforces how lucky American entrepreneurs truly are. Geographically, the distance between Spain and the US is about 4,715 miles. However, from an entrepreneur''s viewpoint, the philosophical distance can be measured in light years. Fredi''s Plea.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Startup Santa Barbara Venture Capital 100

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 4, 2014

Ever fantasized about climbing Mt. How about hiking in Patagonia without carrying a 60-pound backpack and eating freeze dried food? Kurt and his crew can make these, and about 35 of other once-in-a-lifetime treks, a reality. If you could share one startup lesson with a young entrepreneur, what would it be?

Entrepreneur 187

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Resource 187

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 17, 2022

Every entrepreneur thinks he can relax a bit after his business model is proven, funding is in place, and revenues are scaling as projected up that hockey-stick curve. I’m not talking here about a small pivot. Initially, all companies sell to customers who are the easiest to reach and most excited about the new product.

Startup 106

Startup Pricing Cloud Computing Customer 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. The best sale or acquisition is a gradual one, where the acquirer gets to know you through formal and informal relationships.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2015

As a startup investor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. Whether we are talking about startups or corporations, innovation requires a leader who can inspire others to step into the unknown. An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate. Ownership.

Entrepreneur 101

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 17, 2017

What they should be doing is hiring only “entrepreneurs,” meaning people who think and act as if this is their own business. This commitment to hire people who think like entrepreneurs, or instill an “owner’s mindset” in every employee, should be a high priority in every business. Employees will care only about work they create.”

Entrepreneur 69

Entrepreneur Startup Training Sales 69

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2014

Most entrepreneurs assume that success is dependent on their product expertise, coupled with some knowledge of how to run a business. Successful entrepreneurs today must practice human-centered leadership to compete and win. Office politics are really about self-interest and self-esteem. Investments and acquisitions fail.

Demand 92

Demand Entrepreneur Startup Training 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2017

Being called a lifestyle entrepreneur should be a point of pride, not an insult. Of course, even lifestyle entrepreneurs want to be happy, and want their business to be “successful.” Of course, that doesn’t dilute the owner’s equity, but it may well limit you to organic growth, versus international rollouts and acquisition options.

Entrepreneur 69

Entrepreneur Startup Equity Course 69

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2014

I see more and more entrepreneurs who seem to have everything going for them – vision, motivation, passion, even a good business plan, product, and money, and yet they can’t close customers. For example, when you think about distribution channels, revenue streams, or the relationship with the customer, ask customers what they expect.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Startup Technical Review Customer 113

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Overcoming obstacles and learning is one of the biggest inspiration for most entrepreneurs.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 118

InfoChachkie

JUNE 4, 2012

As an entrepreneur, I helped create companies which achieved two IPOs and two trade sales totaling $385 million. I promise I will never Tweet about celebrities, reality TV or that killer burrito I just ate. “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”. Grant Exclusivity. Share and Enjoy.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Outsource Ideas Technical Review 272

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 3, 2021

Based on my own years of experience in startups and big business, and more recently as an angel investor, I often cringe when I see one of you entrepreneurs missing a cue that I have seen work for many before you. A passionate entrepreneur I met a while back had found that a certain algae could be grown cheaply, and could end world hunger.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Social Media Examples Metrics 162

InfoChachkie

MAY 5, 2016

Given TimeHop’s failed experiment, I was especially intrigued when I learned that a team of a dozen remote entrepreneurs hack the typical corporate structure and creates a company that generated nearly $100 million in revenue. We have separate channels for work but we also talk about fun things just like any office watercooler.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Santa Barbara Email Outsource Development 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2023

As a startup advisor in this age of the entrepreneur, I see many more startups, but innovation is still hard to find. Whether we are talking about startups or corporations, innovation requires a leader who can inspire others to step into the unknown. An entrepreneur looking for a sure thing will never innovate. Ownership.

Coach 137

Coach Metrics Competition Ideas 137