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. What is Discotech? Ian Chen: In my previous life, I was working in private equity in LA. What has been the hardest part of a startup?

Startup 113

Startup Equity Customer Custom 113

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 6, 2020

It seems that most of you entrepreneurs I meet in my role as business advisor are convinced that starting a new business requires equity investors, exponential growth, and a plan to go public via IPO. Personal income is related to operations versus equity. With major investors, your equity and return is diluted and delayed.

Statistics 124

Statistics Equity Satisfaction Entrepreneur 124

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

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

APRIL 30, 2023

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Social Media 92

Social Media Study Research Satisfaction 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2015

For the elite startups and entrepreneurs who manage to attract the investor they dream of, and survive the term sheet negotiation, there is still one more hurdle before the money is in the bank. That might start with the CEO giving the investor pitch to the whole organization, and distributing the current business plan document to everyone.

Technical Review 108

Technical Review Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur 108

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.

Technical Review 125

Technical Review Satisfaction Summary Startup 125

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

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. Helpers do what you say, while people smarter than you in their domain do what you need, without any attention from you. A startup has enough unknowns, without ignorance of the basics.

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. Most startups can’t afford that. I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.”

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. Most startups can’t afford that. I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.”

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Startup 65

Startup Social Media Study Research 65

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. Enable people within the organization to find what (or who) they need when they need it.

Organization 126

Organization Social Media Examples Customer 126

socalTECH

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

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. What are you working on? What's the biggest lesson you've learned so far as an entrepreneur? How did you get into this?

Startup 124

Startup Cornerstone OnDemand Software Review Woodland Hills 124

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. It usually doesn’t work.

Startup 70

Startup Satisfaction Writing Entrepreneur 70

InfoChachkie

JUNE 27, 2011

I recently answered the question “ What are good ways to raise your children to be entrepreneurs? ” If your offspring are entrepreneurially inclined, these activities might nudge them in the direction of a lifetime of startups. Note: This is part I of a five part series. Plot Summary. Something From Nothing. The Prototype.

Entrepreneur 270

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Resource 270

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. Most startups can’t afford that. I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.”

Startup 95

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 95

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

AUGUST 21, 2016

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Technology 57

Technology Startup Study Research 57

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. Thiel is providing his mentees with capital to make their startups a reality. You get to keep and reinvest every bit of what you make. Take advantage.

Startup 92

Startup Capital Blogging Ideas 92

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. Enable people within the organization to find what (or who) they need when they need it.

Startup 99

Startup Organization Social Media Customer 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 9, 2019

He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Tracking public sentiment over time provides invaluable insight and gives you the chance to stay right on top of changes in the marketplace and your organization’s brand equity. Project the future.

Social Media 98

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 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. That’s the way capitalism works.

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Customer 96

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. Most startups can’t afford that. I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.”

Startup 82

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 82

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2012

He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Tracking public sentiment over time provides invaluable insight and gives you the chance to stay right on top of changes in the marketplace and your organization’s brand equity. Project the future.

Social Media 98

Social Media Metrics Media Startup 98

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. What makes their story more remarkable, in the age of 20-something billionaires, is that both of the company’s founders are in their 50’s. Who is Mr. Semick and what is ProductPlan all about?

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

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

DECEMBER 22, 2017

Usually this stage only really starts after an investor has expressed serious interest, or already informally agreed to invest. Most founders consider the story already told and the deal pending, so they aren’t sure what more then can do. Set up an interview room, stocked with current docs. Be prepared to follow-up as required.

Invest 59

Invest Startup Doc Slides 59

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

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. I’ll put in the money, if you put in the sweat equity.”

Startup 97

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 97

InfoChachkie

OCTOBER 24, 2011

There has recently been a common theme among the entrepreneurs I have interviewed and the conferences I have attended: despite the relatively weak state of the world economy, now is a great time to create a high-tech startup. As Guy Kawasaki pointed out in our recent conversation , “…it is cheaper than ever to start a company.

Company 257

Company Companies Startup Study 257

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2014

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business that builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Don’t be intimidated by the negative image that imitation currently has in the startup world.

Technology 103

Technology Entrepreneur Study Research 103

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2014

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.

Entrepreneur 107

Entrepreneur Statistics Equity Satisfaction 107

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

MAY 5, 2013

He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Tracking public sentiment over time provides invaluable insight and gives you the chance to stay right on top of changes in the marketplace and your organization’s brand equity. Project the future.

Social Media 102

Social Media Media Entrepreneur Metrics 102

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. We notice what we like and what we dislike, so we work to make society match our dreams.

Funding 96

Funding Startup Satisfaction Customer 96

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 12, 2017

He suggests you begin with the “big three” business objectives of higher revenue, reduced costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Tracking public sentiment over time provides invaluable insight and gives you the chance to stay right on top of changes in the marketplace and your organization’s brand equity. Project the future.

Social Media 69

Social Media Media Metrics Satisfaction 69

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2017

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.

Entrepreneur 57

Entrepreneur USC Statistics Equity 57