Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2016

Some people even believe that entrepreneurs must be born with the right genes, and no element of education is relevant. In my view, the most effective entrepreneurs are those with a background of an array of real-life experiences, both positive and negative, as well as good academic and coaching activities.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Tips Writing Coach 98

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2022

Most entrepreneurs I know admit to a poor first media interaction, and many are still waiting for the instant replay. Even the most experienced executives write down what they need to say, and practice for every event. Why do many entrepreneurs think they can “wing it” and get the same results?

Media 118

Media Tips Social Media Startup 118

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2017

If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. This means writing at the level of an average newspaper story (about eighth-grade level). On the other end of this spectrum are entrepreneurs who present long product specifications with a few financials at the end.

Writing 56

Writing Tips Content Summary 56

InfoChachkie

MARCH 1, 2012

Article first published as Five Business Tips From The Beatles on Technorati. 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

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

One of the most common complaints I hear from entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by the workload and stress of starting their company. In reality, many entrepreneurs are their own worst enemy, trying to do everything, working inefficiently, and imagining things that need doing which will never happen. Keep a written to-do list.

Tips 86

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Mentor 86

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 9, 2012

As Seth Epstein makes clear in this talk , entrepreneurs constantly experience breakdowns, followed by breakthroughs. A common theme among successful entrepreneurs is that making money is not a primary motivator. Great entrepreneurs (as well as successful venture capitalists) are intellectually curious. " [Tweet this quote].

Tips 277

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Entertainment 277

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

One of the most common complaints I hear from entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by the workload and stress of starting their company. In reality, many entrepreneurs are their own worst enemy, trying to do everything, working inefficiently, and imagining things that need doing which will never happen. Keep a written to-do list.

Tips 101

Tips Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 101

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2013

You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. I hope all this seems obvious to you, but I still get a good number of notes from “entrepreneurs” who have been busy inventing things all their life, but can’t find a partner to start their first business, and others trying to find an executive, an investor, or a lawyer.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Social Network 108

InfoChachkie

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful entrepreneurs of her generation. When I began gathering examples of Oprah’s wisdom, I expected to identify a handful of quotes relevant to entrepreneurs. From these, I collected 23 insightful missives of interest to aspiring entrepreneurs. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.”.

Tips 279

Tips Startup Networking Entrepreneur 279

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them nearly ten years ago. As a partially-retired baby-boomer in business, I’ve spent much of the last few years mentoring aspiring millennial entrepreneurs, and I’m always looking for more insights into how to help them.

Tips 127

Tips Mentor Coach Guide 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2012

No one is born with business writing skills, and everyone can learn them. Thus, I thought a quick refresher on business writing basics might help you more than any tip on the next big thing on the business horizon: Select clear purpose and focus. Tailor writing to your audience. Develop a friendly business writing voice.

Writing 89

Writing Email Tips Startup 89

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2012

It’s a well-accepted axiom in the investor community that entrepreneurs learn more from their failures than their successes. You hear about all the parallel entrepreneurs, like Steve Jobs running Apple and Pixar at the same time. Never write something you wouldn’t want to come back to you. Don’t try to do too much all at once.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Ideas 97

socalTECH

MARCH 28, 2019

Earlier this month, the annual Montgomery Summit conference was held in Santa Monica, including a special portion of the conference dedicated to the Rise of the Female Entrepreneur. I see you were involved in the Rise of the Female Entrepreneur effort at the Montgomery Summit this year, tell me a little about what that is all about?

Capital 162

Capital Entrepreneur Invest Artificial Inteligence 162

InfoChachkie

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

"The best way to prepare [to be a programmer] is to write programs, and to study great programs that other people have written. Mark noted that even if an entrepreneur does not become a master developer, by simply understanding the software development process, they will be a more effective startup leader.

Tips 275

Tips Startup IP Santa Barbara 275

InfoChachkie

JUNE 11, 2012

For many entrepreneurs, college has little appeal. Academia’s arbitrary, bureaucratic structure, combined with its predominant focus on theoretical issues, causes many entrepreneurs to depart college early. Entrepreneurs are misfits. Entrepreneurs are often societal rejects.

Tips 279

Tips Startup Education Entrepreneur 279

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2013

My husband is Mark Suster and before he was a VC and blogger he was a startup entrepreneur like you. Here are my top tips (and I still use these with Mark!). Mark granted me read/write access to his calendaring system. Also, pro tip. But I’m sure many would apply if the situation were reversed.

Tips 418

Tips Startup Email Blogging 418

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 19, 2019

Yet it is the one element that too many entrepreneurs focus on only as an afterthought. If you want to connect with customers, put aside your writing formalities. Then write it down. Everyone assumes their product or service is so great that “word-of-mouth” will carry the day for them. Conversation inviting.

Customer 93

Customer Custom Marketing Tips 93

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 20, 2012

She actually IS the prototypical entrepreneur. But Tracy did what entrepreneurs do. Tracy studied SEOMoz and several other online sources of SEO tips. Sam is the managing director of Launchpad LA and we were about to pick our 2012 class of entrepreneurs. More on that later. That may soon change. She never gave up.

Startup 363

Startup Entrepreneur SEO Venture Capital 363

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. I hope all this seems obvious to you, but I still get a good number of notes from “entrepreneurs” who have been busy inventing things all their life, but can’t find a partner to start their first business, and others trying to find an executive, an investor, or a lawyer.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Tips Startup Social Network 96

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2023

Finding your sweet spot as an entrepreneur needs to start with a meaningful personal purpose that is also a business opportunity. Many entrepreneurs are finding their “secret sauce” these days by combining a strong purpose with a good business opportunity. Write it down, make it specific, expressive, yet succinct and jargon-free.

Framework 95

Framework Customer Custom Tips 95

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2022

One of the most common complaints I hear from entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by the workload and stress of starting their company. In reality, many entrepreneurs are their own worst enemy, trying to do everything, working inefficiently, and imagining things that need doing which will never happen. Keep a written to-do list.

Startup 123

Startup Tips Entrepreneur Mentor 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2010

If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. For minimum content, see my article “ Ten Tips to an Investment-Grade Business Plan.” This means writing at the level of an average newspaper story (about eighth-grade level). It won’t work. Simple is not stupid.

Tips 93

Tips Writing Content Summary 93

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2017

If you are an entrepreneur today, and not using social media to promote your business, you are missing out on a huge opportunity. Communication and writing skills are required. But, contrary to what most people preach, it isn’t entirely free. Heavy texting experience is not a qualification for communicating via social media.

Social Media 66

Social Media Media Tips Platform 66

SoCal Tech Calendar

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Are you an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurs don't like to write business plans, but how do you know if there is real potential for you idea? Tony Karrer, CEO/CTO of TechEmpower, will also give a presentation on tips and tricks of starting your own business. Do you have a great idea? See [link] (more)

TechEmpower 100

TechEmpower Startup Tips Writing 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2012

If you want people to invest in your idea, then my best advice is first write a business plan, and keep it simple. This means writing at the level of an average newspaper story (about eighth-grade level). On the other end of this spectrum are entrepreneurs who present long product specifications with a few financials at the end.

Tips 101

Tips Writing Content Summary 101

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 4, 2012

If you can’t solve problems and enjoy it, you won’t make it as an entrepreneur. By definition, an entrepreneur is the first to undertake a given business, and firsts never happen without problems and people frustrations. Put the decision in writing to prevent ambiguity.

Tips 116

Tips Satisfaction Training Entrepreneur 116

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. Here are some tips which will signal traction and fundability to investors, as well as to your team: Document your business plan. milestones entrepreneur startup funding business'

Funding 112

Funding Entrepreneur Startup CTO Hire 112

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

I began our discussion by asking Guy, “Why should entrepreneurs read your latest book, Enchantment?”. The reason why an entrepreneur should be interested in this book is because entrepreneurs have to overcome resistance. An entrepreneur, in particular, has to be likeable and trustworthy AND have a great product.

Santa Barbara 262

Santa Barbara Technical Review Social Media Startup 262

InfoChachkie

MAY 5, 2011

Just as Batman repeatedly avoids Poison Ivy’s kiss of death, so too must entrepreneurs avoid the Kiss of Death provisions which BDCs attempt to include in their agreements. Rather than agreeing to an evergreen provision, suggest that both parties mutually agree upon additional one-year increments in writing, at the end of each term.

Outsource Development 244

Outsource Development Entrepreneur Resource Press 244

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 23, 2011

One of the most common complaints I hear from entrepreneurs is that they are overwhelmed by the workload and stress of starting their company. In reality, many entrepreneurs are their own worst enemy, trying to do everything, working inefficiently, and imagining things that need doing which will never happen. Keep a written to-do list.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Startup Tips Mentor 110

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2016

Finding your sweet spot as an entrepreneur needs to start with a meaningful personal purpose that is also a business opportunity. Many entrepreneurs are finding their “secret sauce” these days by combining a strong purpose with a good business opportunity. Write it down, make it specific, expressive, yet succinct and jargon-free.

Entrepreneur 54

Entrepreneur Framework Customer Custom 54

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2020

Even in this age of videos and text messages, the quickest way to kill your startup dream with investors, business partners, or even customers, is embarrassingly poor writing. You have to be able to communicate effectively in all the common forms, including business writing, as well as talking, presenting, and producing videos.

Writing 125

Writing Entrepreneur Summary Email 125

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2012

You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. I hope all this seems obvious to you, but I still get a good number of notes from “entrepreneurs” who have been busy inventing things all their life, but can’t find a partner to start their first business, and others trying to find an executive, an investor, or a lawyer.

Startup 97

Startup Tips Social Network Networking 97

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 5, 2010

Publish a daily blog, contribute to relevant social networks, and write a “white paper” on your technology. Use the tips outlined above during the first three months to get in the game, and count on much more time and money if you intend to stand out. They will exit quickly. Show evidence of your expertise.

Tips 92

Tips Search Engine Optimization Startup Advertising 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2010

I hear a lot of entrepreneurs contemplating their great “idea” for several years with little discernable progress, and looking for money to start. Here are some tips which will signal traction to investors, as well as your team: Document your business plan. Tags: entrepreneur traction startup investors business. Marty Zwilling.

Tips 88

Tips Startup CTO Hire Press 88

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 15, 2010

Jason started the Open Angel Forum in response to his frustration that entrepreneurs were being charged by some angel organizations to present at their events. As a former entrepreneur, I’m a big supporter of Jason’s goals. In my next post I will write about one of the five companies. They deserve more credit.

Angel 254

Angel Startup Tech Coast Angels MyShape 254

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 10, 2012

On his first day of work my wife was kind enough to write down words of wisdom from her years on the job. I don’t write about Tania very often – mostly at her request. ” She gave me a special one-time permission to write about her in a blog post so I could publish the advice she gave our friend.

Writing 414

Writing Mentor Blogging Tips 414