Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2022

Every entrepreneur I know is dismayed by the number of friends who approach them with a line such as “I have an even better idea that will change the world, and one of these days I’m going to get around to starting my own business.” There must be something deeper that slows people down. Equally irrational fear of dealing with success.

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Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Knowledge Base 153

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 11, 2018

We’ve known each other for nearly a decade and he’s been a friend, a co-investor in startups and a mentor to many startups with whom I’ve worked. So of course when Cham wanted to build his own startup I was first in line asking to fund him.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 11, 2021

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs probably have long searched for that special idea that will catapult you and your startup to success. Yet, my experience as a business advisor and investor has convinced me that the magic is not the idea, but you and the execution. Every investor I know hears the same ones over and over again.

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Entrepreneur Ideas Examples Satisfaction 171

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2019

Despite the rush in every academic institution to offer more courses on entrepreneurship, I still haven’t found it to be something you can learn in school. Of course, you can pick up the basic principles this way, but the problem is that the practical rules for success are changing so fast that no academic can keep up.

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Tips Startup Case Study Course 122

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2021

Kevin Cope, in his classic book “ Seeing the Big Picture ”, does a great job of outlining the basics of business acumen for executives, and helped me assimilate some practical ideas on building the essential elements for entrepreneurs: Reserve time daily to research the market, as well as technology.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). Let’s take a look here some similar stages from a support perspective: Idea stage. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

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Startup Funding Organization Incubator 122

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2023

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Of course, they may be out of money as well, but that is often more of an “excuse” than a reason. My idea is just too far ahead of its time.”

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Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Course 135

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2018

Most of our mentors are people who have been successful entrepreneurs and investors, who have been there, and understand how to get a company to the next sage. There are lots of people who create ideas, without places for them to go. Just start validating what your idea is with potential customers, then go from there.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2021

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Of course, if you don’t yet understand all the elements, it’s time to learn.

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Sample Writing Mentor Content 137

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2022

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, crowdfunding still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. With this model, a startup pre-sells their product early, at a cheaper price, in exchange for a pledge.

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Funding Startup Outsource Development Satisfaction 141

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2021

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Success is the right balance of both for fun and profit.

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Startup Patents Competition Social Network 160

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. In my view, practical business courses in school are better than an advanced degree or MBA. You can win as a team.

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Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 135

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). Let’s take a look here some similar stages from a support perspective: Idea stage. The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it.

Resource 171

Resource Startup Organization Incubator 171

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 13, 2021

Perhaps luckily, they have no idea that scaling the business and maintaining vitality as a mature business is even harder. The best leaders are mentors to their team, and they are stewards of a company’s assets and vision. Set a course for the destination, but also establish intermediate checkpoints to assess progress along the way.

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Tips Startup Mentor Press 170

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 20, 2013

In today’s uber-connected, social media, everything-is-public, people tell you there’s killing it with these new features, investor & mentor whiplash – it’s hard to avoid the latest thing. In due course. Of course what you choose to do has be be meaningful, timely, valuable, prescient and high quality.

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Course Resource Social Media Design 368

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2019

Every entrepreneur I know is dismayed by the number of friends who approach them with a line such as “I have an even better idea that will change the world, and one of these days I’m going to get around to starting my own business.” There must be something deeper that slows people down. Equally irrational fear of dealing with success.

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Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Knowledge Base 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2021

Then there was always the risk of failure, which of course doesn’t apply once your real job is gone. Also, for most of us, not having done it before, we have no idea where or how to start. It’s always good to have someone to test your ideas, keep your spirits up, and hone your business skills. Explore finding a business partner.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

Top performers want to know how to stand out, and business leaders need to know how to better recognize and mentor aspiring superstars before they burn out, or move on to new opportunities. The best business leaders and business professionals are also ones who produce more results. See change as an opportunity to learn and adapt.

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Demand Mentor Startup Coach 123

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2023

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” I always answer that there isn’t any magic, and contrary to the popular myth, nobody is waiting in the wings to throw money at you, just because you have a new and exciting business idea.

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Startup Capital Equity Funding 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2023

As an entrepreneur mentor and startup investor, I see with sadness the 50 to 90 percent that fail. Of course, there are many other common reasons for startup failure, including inexperienced teams, inadequate marketing, no intellectual property, business model doesn’t work, or just giving up too early.

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Entrepreneur Netflix Social Media Startup 125

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Of course, their answer is that the second intends to get to market faster, but every engine has limits regardless the fuel applied. 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.

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Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

socalTECH

OCTOBER 11, 2010

Fariborz Masseh: The idea of funding a business plan competition is not a new idea. Even though they usually end up innovating and creating at the idea level, they usually need to have a business partner or someone else, to either become CEO of a company, or help them translate their innovation into practical use. READ MORE>>.

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Competition Southern California Mentor USC 154

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2021

As an angel investor in new startups, I’ve long believed that investors invest in people, not ideas. As a mentor, my mission is to recommend actions that can strengthen your image with investors and peers, as well as help you get the startup job done. In fact, these same attributes also bound your leadership skills.

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Customer Custom Metrics Ideas 157

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

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. At minimum, you need to get an exit advisor to keep you on course. For these reasons, I always look for an overt exit strategy in every startup I might consider for an angel investment.

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Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs I know are just waiting for that unique idea to strike them that will kickstart their new venture, put them in control of their lifestyle, achieve financial independence, and maybe even change the world. Of course, if you wait for the perfect time, you may never start. Timing is critical for every startup.

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Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Equity 159

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Yet I find in my mentoring practice that more and more team members prefer the human-centered approach and respond with more engagement and commitment. Start by getting people comfortable with what they don’t know, showing them you are open to new ideas, and don’t demand perfection in all deliverables.

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Case Study Study Startup Examples 112

socalTECH

OCTOBER 7, 2010

The new prize, which is being funded by the Massiah Foundation, will award $50,000 each year to the best, entrepreneurial plan and idea to come out of the USC Viterbi engineering school. affiliated event focused on spreading innovative ideas. READ MORE>>.

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USC Southern California SoCalTech Competition 214

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 6, 2021

Of course, this kind of leadership has a big risk, since you have no one to blame if you get it wrong. Getting lots of input on important issues is always a good idea. This may mean attending industry conferences, taking college courses, or reading some key books. Increase your own knowledge in areas of interest.

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Entrepreneur Course Satisfaction Guide 132

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 25, 2021

With longer life expectancies and greater health in later life, older generations are moving to start new firms -- and mentor young entrepreneurs. Of course no one has any idea what the next big thing will be, but more often than not innovation comes from entrepreneurs. They are becoming the new early adopters.

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Technical Review Technical Support Entrepreneur Startup 126

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. What will you do if you get no traction on this idea? Great social entrepreneurs are rare.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2020

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Of course, they may be out of money as well, but that is often more of an “excuse” than a reason. My idea is just too far ahead of its time.”

Entrepreneur 121

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Course 121

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 5, 2023

Of course, if you want to be in that number, or you want that number to go up, you have to know how to locate potential investors who fit your profile, requirements, and expectations. There is a good chance that business advisors and mentors also have access to investment capital, or know someone who does.

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Statistics Entrepreneur Funding Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2020

One of the most frequent questions I get as a mentor to entrepreneurs is “How do I find the money to start my business?” I always answer that there isn’t any magic, and contrary to the popular myth, nobody is waiting in the wings to throw money at you, just because you have a new and exciting business idea.

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Funding Startup Equity Examples 174

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs over the years, I see many of you who don’t communicate enough, others who seem to do all the talking, and some that are hesitant to be direct and open. Set your goal to be the best idea will always win. The idea behind this mindset is to lay out your thinking and reasoning, inviting others to do the same.

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Startup Ideas Examples Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2020

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, it still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. With this model, a startup pre-sells their product early, at a cheaper price, in exchange for a pledge.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Outsource Development Satisfaction Equity 129

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 3, 2019

Image via Pixabay I’ve always been a bit confused about the difference in a business context between a coach and a mentor. According to many pundits , a mentor shows you the right way based on experience, while a coach brings out the best in you, then let’s you find your own way. Give people the room to debate differences.

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Coach Mentor Examples Satisfaction 87

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2022

Your role is to provide this enablement, through listening to their needs, and providing personal coaching and mentoring as required. He is always open to the ideas of his team, and even if he doesn't agree that an idea will work, he'll say so, but he often supports and funds it anyway.

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