Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Others send investors email and business plans in all uppercase or no punctuation.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Social Media Patents Mentor 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2015

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.

Mentor 105

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2014

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.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Mentor Technical Review Satisfaction 102

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

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Use blogging, outside publication, and speaking or mentoring opportunities to establish credibility and stand out above peers. Write down some target objectives and milestones. That’s the definition of success in any business or career. Market yourself both inside and outside your current job. Develop the courage to move on.

Startup 98

Startup Outsource Development Competition Social Media 98

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. Setting up for Eric Garcetti.

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. This is when founders need you the most – either are coach, mentor, interviewer, work off-loader or honest-mirror-reflection of reality. If an accelerator is writing you they’re also writing 25 other VCs.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Invest Press Startup 374

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2014

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. Some entrepreneurs love to talk and produce videos, but hate to write anything down. Others send investors email and business plans in all uppercase or no punctuation.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Angel Social Media Patents 107

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2010

These resources are definitely are not limited to students, since every university wants and needs the real world exposure and experience of entrepreneurs who already have credibility in the marketplace. A little known, but valuable resource, every startup should investigate is a formal or informal connection to your local university.

Help 94

Help Startup Mentor Incubator 94

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. So if you send out cover letters with typos and resumes that are misaligned, that will definitely not help you. You will just fall asleep.

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

Eric Greenspan

APRIL 25, 2015

But, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. As I write this my youngest son and my girlfriend’s two gorgeous kids are playing in the other room. She’s laying next to me as I write this. I’m writing a book and this is a chapter. Seth David finally got me to listen. I love that man.

Company 100

Company Companies Writing Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

In the dictionary definition, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.” Great leaders are mentors to everyone on their team. Teach others “the how. Then get out of the way and let people do their jobs.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 6, 2012

Being relentlessly resourceful is definitely not what you learn in big companies, or in most schools. There is no substitute for experience and mentoring. The quicker you get it, the sooner you can be the next Jim Clark and write your own check. Relentlessly resourceful. The buck stops here. ” Marty Zwilling.

Startup 94

Startup Resource Social Network Mentor 94

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2013

In the dictionary definition, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.” Great entrepreneurs are mentors to everyone on their team. Teach others “the how. Then get out of the way and let people do their jobs.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 20, 2010

Being relentlessly resourceful is definitely not what you learn in big companies, or in most schools. There is no substitute for experience and mentoring. The quicker you get it, the sooner you can be the next Jim Clark and write your own check. Relentlessly resourceful. The buck stops here. ” Marty Zwilling.

Startup 93

Startup Resource Mentor Writing 93

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

In the dictionary definition, character is said to be “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.” Great entrepreneurs are mentors to everyone on their team. Teach others “the how. Then get out of the way and let people do their jobs.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

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. Setting up for Eric Garcetti.

Web Design 40

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 40

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. And as a VC, mentor, angel investor and founder of Launchpad LA I live it as a routine of my life. Both are basically people businesses.

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? It’s easier to use screen-captures and notes on existing processes, rather than write detailed manuals. Use mentoring to help people develop as your business develops. Frankly, I’ve never been sure what to tell entrepreneurs who want to break free of these bonds.

Resource 60

Resource Examples Design Entrepreneur 60