Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. If you can explain the problem to a mentor, or even write it down, you will more likely get to the root cause quickly, and avoid emotional and blame-infused responses. Explore solutions, outcomes, and options calmly.

Satisfaction 53

Satisfaction Marketing Mentor Entrepreneur 53

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist. If you don’t have the time to write things down, or your writing skills leave something to be desired, don’t be afraid to get some help.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

As a member of NextSpace I have witnessed Amplify in operation and it is a shop that definitely believes in good rewards stemming from hard work. Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. And they do all this in the span of four intense months.

Web Design 103

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 103

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 27, 2014

I know I can’t be in every deal and I know that the easy part of being a VC is writing the first check in a deal. You have to decide how hard to help with downstream marketing for your deals. A little Groucho Marx always helps. If an accelerator is writing you they’re also writing 25 other VCs.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Invest Press Startup 374

Eric Greenspan

APRIL 25, 2015

I spoke with Seth David about helping him build schoolofbookkeeping.com. But, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Now, I help others and I make a ridiculous amount of money and I do great things for my clients, my family and for myself. She’s laying next to me as I write this. He paid me $1,000.

Company 100

Company Companies Writing Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

By definition, every startup is predictably unpredictable, since new solutions have no proven track record, startups are usually building a new market, and the world around them is changing faster than ever. Bring in expert advisors and mentors to set initial goals, and build recovery plans. The market changes faster than your startup.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 13, 2013

So, I would definitely say that was my toughest moment. It was cool that I spoke at the White House last year about mentoring. I am very active in mentoring women and minorities. Reading what people have to say about us like how we changed their lives and helped them find a job is a rewarding experience.

Mobile 86

Mobile Marketing Writing Startup 86

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2014

If you’re an early investor like I am that often means writing the first $2-3 million check into a business that previously had either survived on fumes or on a $500,000 angel round. You’re the coach, mentor, cheerleader. One of the interesting things about being a VC is that you often see companies in transition.

Startup 381

Startup Resource Venture Capital Activity 381

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Your job as CEO involves heavy doses of selling the merits of your company, lobbying (begging) for money, and convincing other executives to help you or join you. Being relentlessly resourceful is definitely not what you learn in big companies, or in most schools. There is no substitute for experience and mentoring.

Startup 94

Startup Resource Social Network Mentor 94

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

As a member of NextSpace I have witnessed Amplify in operation and it is a shop that definitely believes in good rewards stemming from hard work. Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. And they do all this in the span of four intense months.

Web Design 40

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 40

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2010

Your job as CEO involves heavy doses of selling the merits of your company, lobbying (begging) for money, and convincing other executives to help you or join you. Being relentlessly resourceful is definitely not what you learn in big companies, or in most schools. There is no substitute for experience and mentoring.

Startup 93

Startup Resource Mentor Writing 93

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

I finally got around to writing it having read Fred Wilson’s post about what a CEO does. Almost by definition to be a great leader you need to be an effective psychologist. I’ve been involved in helping CEOs who are having disputes with investors and want to figure out how to resolve them.

Venture Capital 319

Venture Capital Startup Sales Customer 319

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” According to my definition and Wikipedia , an entrepreneur is someone who builds a new business. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result.

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Writing 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2019

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” According to my definition and Wikipedia , an entrepreneur is someone who builds a new business. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result.

Entrepreneur 135

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Writing 135

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 24, 2017

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” According to my definition and Wikipedia , an entrepreneur is someone who builds a new business. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result.

Mentor 90

Mentor Entrepreneur Ideas Writing 90

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2015

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” According to my definition and Wikipedia , an entrepreneur is someone who builds a new business. That’s why I believe the process of writing down your plan is more valuable than the result.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Startup 104

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 5, 2010

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Write and 9 Tips To Get Started - OnStartups , September 27, 2010 "The best part of blogging is the people you will meet"- Hugh MacLeod repeating wisdom from Loic Lemeur to me at the Big Pink at 2 am in South Beach after the Future of Web Apps 2008. Why You Should Write. Why You Should Write.

Startup 191

Startup Product Technology Venture Capital 191

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Is this the definition of success you want to experience? Recently, I completed a new book, “ Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself ,” by Mike Michalowicz, that really helped me pull my own thoughts and recommendations together for the beleaguered business owners I try to help.

Resource 60

Resource Examples Design Entrepreneur 60