Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2014

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cashflow personally every day. You will make mistakes. Use social media for early marketing.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 105

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

Consistent with the statistics cited in Why Entrepreneurs Hate (Most) MBAs , the large majority of John and Kyle''s classmates accepted positions at investment banks and consulting firms upon graduation. blogging, in a sense. If we had a blogging platform then, we would have been blogging. in September of 1999.

Newsletter 133

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 133

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 27, 2011

I made every textbook mistake at my first startup, which is why I believe I was much more effective at my second one. If I can help you avoid some of my first-time mistakes it would be a victory. &# It’s mostly unintentional but tacit knowledge about ideas spreads quickly amongst the chattering elite.

Marketing 380

Marketing Startup Press Technical Advisors 380

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2019

The first thing that entrepreneurs need to realize is that the process and framework for making social media marketing work are different from traditional marketing, and trial and error certainly doesn’t work. More important than finding a community, is creating one, with your blog and other social media engagement.

Social Media 96

Social Media Media Marketing Metrics 96

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 22, 2010

On why you should be an entrepreneur, “A lot of people do what they have to do. He made many of his own mistakes. Confidence doesn’t come from being a ‘know-it-all,’ it’s because I’ve done this 10 times already.&#. He began producing and selling “mixtapes&# of his music.

Entrepreneur 356

Entrepreneur Venture Capital Startup Email 356

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. You will make mistakes. Social media is not rocket science.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 13, 2018

In terms of stack ranking I recommend you force yourself to have no more than 8–10 “A’s,” 8–10 “B’s” and the balance 20–24 should be “C’s.” Then begin your process in earnest with up to 8–10 firms. Why 8–10 and not just 3–4? Remember, I was an entrepreneur for 10 years before a VC).

Venture Capital 332

Venture Capital Funding Startup Sales 332

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 8, 2010

I’m going to save that for a future blog post. Entrepreneurs always walk away with new relationships, knowledge, deal discussions and enthusiasm. And it’s his mantra for successful entrepreneurs, “you need to be extremely focused on the details.” The Greycroft event was a 10 out of 10 so I’ve diligently taken notes.

Startup 279

Startup Venture Capital Tips Custom Development 279

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 14, 2015

How do you have time for all your entrepreneurs? I don’t know Ezra yet but since he’s taking the time to blog (which I hugesly respect) and share thoughts I thought I’d take him up on his challenge and also spill the beans on my secrets. On blogging I blog because I love it. My other secret on blogging?

Blogging 150

Blogging Writing Email Startup 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

Yesterday I saw a Tweet from Chris Sacca fly by that prompted me to want to write a blog post helping entrepreneurs understand why they should push back against VCs asking for “super pro-rata” rights. Read: it’s an option for that investor and a super expensive one to you, the entrepreneur. Why should you care?

Entrepreneur 310

Entrepreneur Venture Capital Writing Invest 310

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2015

Most entrepreneurs assume that a lack of an online reputation is a good thing. Occasional engagement and visibility in forum discussions and industry activities establishes positive content to offset the random negative comment that every passionate entrepreneur is sure to generate. Add new blog content to your site on a regular basis.

Content 103

Content Sites Blogging Activity 103

Jason Nazar

JUNE 29, 2010

The technology meet-up scene is an odd co-mingling of entrepreneurs, engineers, social media mavens, service providers, and up and comers. The biggest mistake most folks make is that they don’t meet more new people. Make it your goal at every meet-up to approach 10 people you don’t already know. •

Tips 112

Tips Networking Entrepreneur Startup 112

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. You will make mistakes. Social media is not rocket science.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2017

The first thing that entrepreneurs need to realize is that the process and framework for making social media marketing work are different from traditional marketing, and trial and error certainly doesn’t work. More important than finding a community, is creating one, with your blog and other social media engagement.

Social Media 62

Social Media Media Metrics SEO 62

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 18, 2009

Yesterday I wrote a blog post ( here ) in which I urged people to not have too many founders. But I still think it’s right for many a founder / entrepreneur. He authorized me to post his comments: “We’re in sync on so many start-up/entrepreneur issues that I may have knee-jerked a bit too harshly on this one.

Startup 251

Startup Equity Venture Capital Entrepreneur 251

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 20, 2011

If you read this blog often you'll know that I'm a huge fan of First Round Capital. Josh and Howard began co-investing as angels and in 2005 they started a $10 million fund. The Exchange Fund – This allows the entrepreneurs to diversify their founders stock into other portfolio companies stock. and Half.com.

Capital 284

Capital Venture Capital Technical Review Startup 284

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 25, 2011

A great recent example of this was a successful group of entrepreneurs who had created a company that will do $10-12 million in revenue at their system integration business (read: services business) in 2011 after having done $5 million or so in 2010 and $2-3 million in 2009. Even tech blogs know this.

Services 332

Services Venture Capital IP Startup 332

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. You will make mistakes. Social media is not rocket science.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 1, 2009

I was reading one of my favorite websites for entrepreneurs, VentureHacks, this weekend and noticed that they are running a long piece on how to pick a co-founder. If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ll know that I’m a fan of starting businesses in a non-traditional way. You’ll be fine. Plug your holes.

Startup 289

Startup Venture Capital Entrepreneur Sales 289

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 9, 2011

Maybe they get up to 10% if they joined REALLY early and were senior. Let’s be honest – even 10%. I wrote about many of the early-stage startup mistakes here. People just don’t talk about it publicly or in blogs. Most senior employees who join are given 2% if they join early. Who gets 30%?

Startup 393

Startup Equity Funding Summary 393

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 8, 2011

10) Lynda, why does the world need lynda.com? 9) I believe that entrepreneurs who are driven by a compelling mission that is not based on making lots of money have a much higher propensity for success. What advice would you give an emerging entrepreneur who is looking to establish themselves as a thought leader?

Entrepreneur 245

Entrepreneur Training Startup Web 245

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 8, 2011

10) Lynda, why does the world need lynda.com? . 9) I believe that entrepreneurs who are driven by a compelling mission that is not based on making lots of money have a much higher propensity for success. What advice would you give an emerging entrepreneur who is looking to establish themselves as a thought leader?

Entrepreneur 245

Entrepreneur Training Startup Web 245

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 13, 2011

I wrote the summary notes in this blog post. I called the meeting a 10/10 because we had a great 90-minute discussion in which we had great rapport. And did I really just try to drop an SAT word into my blog post? It’s the same as in any sales-oriented meeting and make no mistake raising money is sales.

Venture Capital 299

Venture Capital Slides Technical Advisors Startup 299

InfoChachkie

MARCH 1, 2012

As any long-time reader of this humble blog knows, I am an ardent Beatles fan. Despite the book’s shortcomings, it contains a number of insightful lessons for budding entrepreneurs. Of the 100 business “lessons” articulated in the book, I highlight a few below that I feel are the most relevant and impactful for entrepreneurs.

Tips 259

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Product 259

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 23, 2013

I was 23 and had been programming computers, designing computer networks and selling software for 10 years. When I started my second company I was a serial entrepreneur. I introduced myself as a serial entrepreneur. I was a serial entrepreneur. If you ever want a quick way to my blog, btw, you can just type that.

Technical Advisors 385

Technical Advisors Marketing Startup Venture Capital 385

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 30, 2010

Seth Levine of Foundry Group addresses this important topic this morning on his blog with a post, “ Has Convertible Debt Won ?&# I’ve written about the topic of convertible debt at length before specifically about how angels & entrepreneurs should think about pricing. Make no mistake – this IS a priced round.

Equity 319

Equity Pricing Venture Capital Entrepreneur 319

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 26, 2016

Perhaps the most misused terms I see these days from entrepreneurs involve CAC (customer acquisition costs) and LTV (life time value) and a lack of understanding these critical components is driving many companies to premature failure. So I spend an inordinate amount of time with entrepreneurs focused on payback. End of story.

Metrics 150

Metrics Startup SaaS Course 150

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

This article will cover two things; First, the top mistakes small business owners make that end with inquiries leading you to the exit door before making a sale. An entrepreneur having low self worth is the number one deterrent for a potential customer not buying into what you are selling. The Top 10 Ways To Get Leads.

Customer 85

Customer Custom Marketing SEO 85

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

I believe that it is part of the DNA of an entrepreneur – being so competitive that you’re practically sick when you lose. Entrepreneurs are neurotic about it. Although I had lived and worked in more than 10 countries – it wasn’t good enough. And don’t make the same mistake twice.

Outsource Development 333

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 333

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

I believe that it is part of the DNA of an entrepreneur – being so competitive that you’re practically sick when you lose. Entrepreneurs are neurotic about it. Although I had lived and worked in more than 10 countries – it wasn’t good enough. And don’t make the same mistake twice.

Outsource Development 328

Outsource Development Software Review Technical Review News 328

Jason Nazar

DECEMBER 29, 2008

As planned, I’ll be hosting monthly presentations/conversations each month throughout 2009 on different topics for entrepreneurs. This month’s talk will be on “ 10 Mistakes People Make Before Starting a New Business&#. Mistakes People Make Before Starting a New Business - Free Legal Forms.

Los Angeles 46

Los Angeles Santa Monica Startup Angel 46

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 21, 2010

I recently read a post over on VentureHacks titled, “ Top Ten Reasons Entrepreneurs Hate Lawyers &# written by Scott Walker (who blogs on legal issues for entrepreneurs ). I write about some of the lessons in my post on Startup Mistakes. I know that people have an allergy to lawyers out of fear of being screwed.

Startup 318

Startup IP Southern California Entrepreneur 318

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 4, 2011

4 times / 100 means if a customer uses your app frequently (say 10-20 times / day) then they are crashing nearly every day. I see this mistake all the time, actually. Most people under estimate the challenge of winning “share of mind” the least understood concept with tech entrepreneurs. That’s not acceptable. Is it 4/1,000?

Metrics 346

Metrics Startup SEO Customer 346

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 10, 2010

When I started blogging I had an idea. I would take all of the one-on-one conversations that I have with entrepreneurs from the things I’ve learned and just write them up for anybody to read. You’re an entrepreneur – you’re allowed to be a bit of a control freak. No, of course not!

Startup 294

Startup Press Course Writing 294

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

I freely admit this (along with nearly everything between 1999-2000) was a mistake. I’ve said versions of it on this blog before so I hope it’s not too repetitive. 10 million post money) and therefore if we sold for $100 million dollars one day your gain would be approximately $1 million). I think you will.

Startup 294

Startup Sales Venture Capital Slides 294

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 17, 2011

I wrote an entire blog post about this in the past highlighting my belief that you should hire people who “punch above their weight class.” It’s a mistake. He is out innovating people with 10 years’ his experience. In the entire time I was an entrepreneur I think I never really stopped recruiting. And he pushed for it.

Startup 399

Startup Class Blogging Company 399

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

I was reading Chris Dixon’s blog tonight. I came across this blog post about getting a computer science degree as the best degree for getting into venture capital or working at a VC-backed start up. My family had the very first edition of the IBM XT computer with a 10 MB hard drive. I had to laugh a bit reading it.

Startup 337

Startup Venture Capital Study Course 337