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

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

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

socalTECH

OCTOBER 10, 2013

In what is a fairly unusual move, last week, Tradesparq (www.tradesparq.com), a Chinese startup in the area of B2B trade information, said it was planning on setting up its operations here in Southern California, as part of an expansion and scaling of the company. How long has company been around? Tell us about your backers?

Southern California 170

Southern California Startup SoCal CTO Hire 170

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 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

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. And it’s why many early-stage companies blow up. You know, no b t.”

Startup 385

Startup Coach Course Snapchat 385

InfoChachkie

JULY 14, 2011

And for many companies a good deal of their business is still closed over the phone–through their call centers. 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.

Marketing 209

Marketing Advertising Paid Search Startup 209

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 6, 2012

I had been hanging around Klout for a year and many of my friends had angel funded the company and were champions. John laid into a well-honed thesis on why the social web needed a “Page Rank” equivalent for people. It is company 500px who has a beautiful product and a burgeoning community on the iPad and web.

Cornerstone OnDemand 303

Cornerstone OnDemand Venture Capital GRP Partners Startup 303

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2014

Often I find that experienced investors scan ahead to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. These days, with Sarbanes-Oxley and all the new SEC regulations, an MBA does not begin to cover the accounting, process, and tax knowledge needed to steer a company’s finances.

Startup 99

Startup Report Equity Resource 99

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

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

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

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

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 27, 2011

If you care about accessing customers, reaching an audience, communicating your vision, influencing people in your industry, marketing your services or just plain engaging in a dialog with others in your industry a blog is a great way to achieve this. Who are your customers, partners or suppliers? accessibility.

Blogging 373

Blogging Startup Writing Venture Capital 373

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. Let’s assume you run a Customer Support software company.

Sales 314

Sales Startup Venture Capital Customer 314

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

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 15, 2010

It’s always fun chatting with Jason because he’s knowledgeable about the market, quick on topics and pushes me to talk more about VC / entrepreneur issues. We’re staring to get the hang of how to divide the show up into talking about deals but also talking about issues for entrepreneurs during funding. But it does happen.

Venture Capital 285

Venture Capital Startup Advertising Redpoint 285

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? Sean Rad: I started another company called Orgoo, which was a unified communications platform. How does Ad.ly

Advertising 189

Advertising Content Startup Social Network 189

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

MARCH 9, 2013

Often I find that experienced investors scan ahead to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. These days, with Sarbanes-Oxley and all the new SEC regulations, an MBA does not begin to cover the accounting, process, and tax knowledge needed to steer a company’s finances.

Startup 95

Startup Report Equity Resource 95

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

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

We spoke with Harry yesterday about the company. 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.

Evite 157

Evite Startup Ideas Ticketmaster 157

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

Pick a company name and check any potential trademark infringements on Trademarkia or KnowEm. 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. Vet your idea with the idea checklist. Recommended.

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. Founder and CEO since starting the company back in 1999, Miller has led Cornerstone through 11 years of consecutive growth.

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

I recently wrote a piece for Mashable on how to create a company blog. 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. How to find your “voice&# ? I was an entrepreneur.

Blogging 286

Blogging Startup Writing Summary 286

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 5, 2010

AOL was controlled by one company and the Internet was distributed. AOL controlled the services, taxed companies to access users and decided what was good or bad. If you were a newly minted, venture-backed consumer Internet company you had to have a deal with AOL to reach your customers. companies versus the Web 1.0

Social Network 318

Social Network Networking Web 2.0 Startup 318

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2011

Often I find that experienced investors scan ahead to the management page of a business plan, even before they read the product description. These days, with Sarbanes-Oxley and all the new SEC regulations, an MBA does not begin to cover the accounting, process, and tax knowledge needed to steer a company’s finances.

Startup 93

Startup Report Equity Resource 93

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2010

In business, one important measure is the value of the company. That’s because a company’s value is a composite of all of the quantitative and qualitative factors that comprise a company: revenues, expenses, risks, growth prospects, quality of the management team, competitive advantages, strength of the intellectual property, and so forth.

.Net 89

.Net Metrics Competition Template 89

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009

Zareh Baghdasarian: 15desks is all about managing your educational lifestyle, all the way from early education to your graduate work. Later on, when you are at a university, you might manage things like your resume and portfolio. Later on, when you are at a university, you might manage things like your resume and portfolio.

Education 124

Education Startup Course Tool 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2011

By John Williams Fast Company magazine recently reported that PayPal founder Paul Thiel is giving away $100,000 to twenty-four young men and women to finance startup businesses. The caveat is that these young entrepreneurs have to drop out of college to do it. Your mortgage and grocery bill depend on it. The rest can come later.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 27, 2013

But some larger companies, such as Canonical, came to the crowdfunding community to help them fund projects like the Ubuntu Edge. Even if Canonical did not reach its goal, the campaign has given other larger companies to look into crowdfunding other future projects. One of the hardest times we had was getting access to capital.

Startup 74

Startup Funding Capital Help 74

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2011

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).

Startup 92

Startup Ideas Competition Demand 92

socalTECH

OCTOBER 14, 2009

It turns out, one of the companies supplying book scanning devices for libraries and others-- Atiz (www.atiz.com)--is located here in Los Angeles. Let's talk about your product first, tell us about your hardware? We use a Camera SLR camera, which works with any of our three products out there.

Google 100

Google Startup West Los Angeles Content 100

Tech Zulu Event

OCTOBER 11, 2012

Facebook just hit 1 billion active users globally and that was great but a new social payment application is set to make Facebook users across the world get more from their connections and even allowing companies to sell or receive payments from their pages. As we know, developers always give their product a code name.

Software Review 92

Software Review Social Network Platform Technical Review 92

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 29, 2010

First you need to know exactly what you are looking for, then find out from all the options which is the best suited for you and your startup, and you can't forget about pricing. You may find a application that seems perfect from the description page, buy it and come to find out it was not what you were looking for.

Startup 49

Startup Social Media Tool Sites 49