Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 8, 2022

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders quandaries in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. People may jump into the lifestyle to be their own boss, achieve great wealth, start a new trend, or all the above.

Startup 130

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 130

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2021

But very few are talking about how to measure your results and return on investment (ROI), and the right metrics for optimizing your marketing environment. He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Get attention and reach your audience.

Social Media 127

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 29, 2020

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Most entrepreneurs never forget for a moment that having investors means owing money, even if they can legally argue that equity is not debt.

Startup 124

Startup Satisfaction Venture Capital Entrepreneur 124

socalTECH

AUGUST 6, 2019

Ian Chen is the co-founder and CEO of Discotech , a startup that offers up bottle service booking, discounted tickets and more to clubs and nightspots. Ian Chen: In my previous life, I was working in private equity in LA. What has been the hardest part of a startup? How has it been as a startup founder?

Startup 113

Startup Equity Customer Custom 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2020

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2014

I’ve always wondered who started the urban myth that the best way to start a company is to come up with a great idea, and then find some professional investors to give you a pot of money to build a company. Don’t give up a chunk of your company and control before you start.

Startup 110

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Legalzoom 110

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 25, 2022

Business partners can be co-founders in a startup, multiple owners of an existing business, or a joint venture. In every case, a partner can be an asset, bringing new skills and perspectives to the business; or a burden, making every decision more difficult, and taxing your lifestyle satisfaction. Don’t ignore any big red flags.

Technical Review 125

Technical Review Satisfaction Summary Startup 125

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2016

Start each day with the highest priority task you need done that day, and leave the emails and phone calls till the end of the day, if you have time. Incorporate your business today, register intellectual property, document partner equity agreements, and meet real customers. Tackle high value tasks first rather than the easiest.

Tips 100

Tips Activity Startup Product 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2019

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup founders quandaries in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. People may jump into the lifestyle to be their own boss, achieve great wealth, start a new trend, or all the above.

Startup 97

Startup USC Entrepreneur Statistics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 28, 2013

I’ve always wondered who started the urban myth that the best way to start a company is to come up with a great idea, and then find some professional investors to give you a pot of money to build a company. Don’t give up a chunk of your company and control before you start.

Startup 105

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Legalzoom 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2017

It seems like every day I hear from an aspiring entrepreneur who doesn’t know where to start, or doesn’t have the time or expertise for all the mechanics of starting a business based on their great idea. Marty: How does Gust Launch relate to your existing Gust online platform to connect investors to growing startups?

Startup 63

Startup Entrepreneur Platform Activity 63

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

Mike tells us about the company, who uses its software, as well as how he was initially turned away from the Amplify.LA accelerator--which only inspired him to keep working on making his startup a reality and go from just an idea, to a real company. The company, which started in 2014, now has over 40 employees.

Startup 124

Startup Cornerstone OnDemand Software Review Woodland Hills 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2016

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2017

As an advisor to startups, and a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m still surprised at the number who are determined to go it alone. In short, if you’re killing yourself with work, and following up on every detail, you may want to look closer at your team to ensure you’ve surrounded yourself with the right people.

Help 66

Help Startup Course Technical Review 66

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2017

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. If you think about it, you should realize that not everyone is ‘ideal partner material.’

Startup 59

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 59

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2013

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. If you think about it, you should realize that not everyone is ‘ideal partner material.’

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2022

Offer equity in future projects to people outside your business. Establish vehicles, like a formal customer satisfaction program, to recognize and reward staff and customers for sharing what they can do to help you. Make decisions openly and be honest about the criteria on which they are based. Adjust accordingly.

Organization 126

Organization Social Media Examples Customer 126

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2016

There seems to be a big debate these days about the best approach to starting a new business. Some argue the only way to start is to drop everything and jump in with both feet, while others recommend an overlapped approach to the lifestyle, including not quitting your day job until you have revenue and a proven business model.

Entrepreneur 63

Entrepreneur Startup Satisfaction News 63

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2016

One of the myths I often hear as an advisor to many entrepreneurs is that their lifestyle would somehow be better if they could more easily find other people’s money to build their startup. Most entrepreneurs never forget for a moment that having investors means owing money, even if they can legally argue that equity is not debt.

Funding 57

Funding Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 57

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2015

Offer equity in future projects to people outside your business. Establish vehicles, like a formal customer satisfaction program, to recognize and reward staff and customers for sharing what they can do to help you. Make decisions openly and be honest about the criteria on which they are based. Adjust accordingly.

Startup 99

Startup Organization Social Media Customer 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

Many experts are certain that successful entrepreneurs are the ones with the most inspiration (passion and dream), while others will assert that it’s about more perspiration (working harder). Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2013

Most entrepreneurs struggle with many startup Founders dilemmas in building their business, and these key dilemmas are probably the biggest source of pain and failure for the entrepreneur lifestyle. People may jump into the lifestyle to be their own boss, achieve great wealth, start a new trend, or all the above.

Startup 98

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Equity 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2014

I’ve written about this before, but I was reminded again a while back at a conference for startups when an entrepreneur started berating investors for not funding early-stage startups. It sounded to investors like me that they felt a funding entitlement for their startup idea. And like water or food, it isn’t free.

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Customer 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. If you think about it, you should realize that not everyone is ‘ideal partner material.’

Startup 95

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 95

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. Instead of following a proscribed course which may lead nowhere, entrepreneurial leaders such a Thiel are sparking a change in the way we think about success.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

InfoChachkie

JUNE 27, 2011

If your offspring are entrepreneurially inclined, these activities might nudge them in the direction of a lifetime of startups. In particular, Marcia Brown’s 1947 retelling of the classic French folktale Stone Soup is a veritable playbook for how to start a venture. That would be something to know about.” Plot Summary.

Entrepreneur 270

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Resource 270

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2019

Image via Pixabay Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. Most startups can’t afford that. All decisions will be made jointly.”

Startup 70

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 70

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

The newest equity model was passed into law in early 2012 via the JOBS Act , and still has no scheduled date for availability in the USA, waiting for the rules to be defined by the SEC: Startup equity crowd funding. These also open new concerns about lost intellectual property, Internet scams, and long-term return on investment.

Funding 99

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 99

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2013

I’ve written about this before, but I was surprised again recently at a conference for startups when a couple of entrepreneurs started berating investors for their low rate of funding for early-stage startups. It sounded to investors like me that they expected a funding entitlement for their startup idea.

Startup 98

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 98

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2012

But very few are talking about how to measure your results, and the right metrics for optimizing your marketing environment. He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Get attention and reach your audience. Measure customer response and action.

Social Media 98

Social Media Metrics Media Startup 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2010

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. If you think about it, you should realize that not everyone is ‘ideal partner material.’

Startup 82

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 82

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

I have been watching ProductPlan for several years, as the founders are both friends and pillars of the Santa Barbara Startup Community. Curious to learn more about the pain and joys of bootstrapping a business, I sat down with Jim Semick, the company’s Co-Founder and Chief Strategist. We’ve been in business for about four years now.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 9, 2019

But very few are talking about how to measure your results and return on investment (ROI), and the right metrics for optimizing your marketing environment. He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Get attention and reach your audience.

Social Media 98

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 98

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2021

The recent world-wide health pandemic has highlighted again how fast things can and do change in the environment today, and it’s up to you to make sure your business can survive and thrive in this new world. Purpose-driven companies like Airbnb, Patagonia, and TOMS, have shown increased returns by up to 400 percent.

Examples 128

Examples Social Media Summary Satisfaction 128

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2012

I’ve written about this before, but I was surprised again recently at a conference for startups when a couple of entrepreneurs started berating investors for their low rate of funding for early-stage startups. It sounded to investors like me that they expected a funding entitlement for their startup idea.

Startup 93

Startup Satisfaction Customer Custom 93

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2012

The newest model was passed into law recently via the JOBS Act , and won’t even be available until the end of this year or maybe mid-2013 in the USA, while waiting for the rules to be finalized: Startup equity crowd funding. This is not a get-rich-quick vehicle for consumers. There is no concept of ROI other than product.

Funding 96

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 8, 2011

I’ve written about this before, but I was surprised again recently at a conference for startups when a couple of entrepreneurs started berating investors for their low rate of funding for early-stage startups. A bonus should be all about results, not time worked. And like water or food, it isn’t free.

Funding 96

Funding Startup Satisfaction Customer 96