Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. In my experience, building a business is much more about getting things done than having great ideas. It’s time to get the help you need.

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Ideas Writing Startup Entrepreneur 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2023

Ask for help from advisors and mentor your team. People don’t usually need to ask for help with their dreams, but no entrepreneur I know has built a successful business alone. Don’t let your pride or fear keep you from seeking the help that you need. They enjoy the journey, as well as the destination.

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Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

One thing I have learned the hard way in business is that implementing new ideas is usually much more difficult than conceiving the idea in the first place. That’s why I caution my aspiring entrepreneur clients against proclaiming to investors that they are a great “idea” person. For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D.

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Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2016

Why is it that only the most successful entrepreneurs , including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson, admit to having a mentor and actually use them? Obviously, I’m a big fan of business mentors based on my own experience, since I have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the relationship.

Mentor 95

Mentor Coach Metrics Entrepreneur 95

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2017

As a long-time mentor and business advisor, I find it ironic that many look only to friends for advice. They forget that friends tell you what you want to hear, while good mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you probably don’t need the mentor anymore, but you always need the friend.

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Mentor Coach Help Ideas 72

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2020

In my efforts of assist aspiring business owners like you, I find that too many see it as a short sprint to get over that one hurdle, like finding that innovative idea, or attracting an investor. An occasional discussion with a mentor won’t do it. The road to becoming an entrepreneur is a journey , and it’s not a short trip.

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Entrepreneur Help Incubator Startup 139

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 17, 2013

Mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you don’t need the mentor anymore. In that sense, you should think of a mentor more like your advisor who has done all he can. Also don’t confuse a business mentor with a business coach. Unless you know these things, no one can help you.

Mentor 101

Mentor Coach Startup Entrepreneur 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 28, 2021

In other words, the entrepreneur quality is more important than the idea -- in investor jargon, people invest in the jockey, and not the horse. High leaders continually challenged their own ideas and were quicker to adapt them to encompass new information, experiences, and meaning. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

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Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Invest 165

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2012

Mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you don’t need the mentor anymore. In that sense, you should think of a mentor more like your advisor who has done all he can. Also don’t confuse a business mentor with a business coach. Unless you know these things, no one can help you.

Mentor 95

Mentor Coach Startup Ideas 95

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2013

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness. When you meet with a mentor, you should lead the discussion.

Mentor 102

Mentor Startup Coach Entrepreneur 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2023

Over my many years of mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals, I often hear a desire to start a new business, with a big hesitation while waiting for that perfect idea and perfect alignment of the stars. So don’t wait for that “idea of the century” that no one has ever thought of before.

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Technical Review Startup Entrepreneur Software Review 149

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2022

During my many years of mentoring professionals and entrepreneurs in business, I more often see people focusing on how to get their ideas heard , than how to promote themselves. I’m convinced that great results are better than great ideas, and a great perception of you as a person is better than both ideas and results.

Tips 121

Tips Social Media Mentor Technical Review 121

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2015

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business. Now you see why no one should judge business success potential by the idea alone.

Ideas 104

Ideas Mentor Resource Entrepreneur 104

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2012

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness. When you meet with a mentor, you should lead the discussion.

Mentor 94

Mentor Coach Entrepreneur Press 94

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 13, 2011

Mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you don’t need the mentor anymore. In that sense, you should think of a mentor more like your advisor who has done all he can. Also don’t confuse a business mentor with a business coach. Unless you know these things, no one can help you.

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Mentor Coach Ideas Entrepreneur 98

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2021

Here is a short list of the areas where you should be able to find help, whether you are a student or an independent entrepreneur: Exploring hot ideas. Connections to a mentor. Similar to finding experienced team members, you can use university contacts who do mentoring in the real world.

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Incubator Mentor Class Resource 172

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 14, 2023

But, for the rest of us, don’t believe the Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your million-dollar idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. 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.

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Startup Writing Mentor Sample 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020

Most colleges have now added classes in entrepreneurship to include the necessary business focus to technical majors that usually drive innovative ideas. Take advantage of free startup programs and mentors. Every school recognizes the power of “hands-on” work to help you develop your own ideas into a business.

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Entrepreneur Mentor Class Resource 157

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

The common term for this is networking, but I find that many aspiring entrepreneurs like to do all the talking about their latest new idea and fail to listen. Find a business mentor, as well as a friend. A mentor is someone who will tell you what you need to hear, while a friend might tell you what you want to hear.

Startup 142

Startup Case Study Course Entrepreneur 142

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2014

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business. Now you see why no one should judge business success potential by the idea alone.

Ideas 107

Ideas Mentor Entrepreneur Resource 107

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 15, 2012

The servant leader serves the people they lead through mentoring, direct assistance, listening, and acting on their employees input. Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around? Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around?

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Mentor Startup Organization Ideas 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2023

Every entrepreneur needs help and support along the way, from developing the initial idea, to selling off the successful business (exit strategy). It’s helpful to think of startups as proceeding through several stages, which I have defined a long time ago from a funding perspective. Don’t waste your resources on the wrong ones.

Startup 122

Startup Funding Organization Incubator 122

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 26, 2016

The “what” is well known in LA circles – Troy discovered a little known young singer named Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta aka Lady Gaga and helped her launch her career. In many ways this was the precursor to the MVP philosophy our era espoused by Steve Blank and the ideas we discuss around product/market fit.

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Mentor Venture Capital Marketing Product 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Entrepreneurs are people who dream up new ideas, and then commercialize them into new businesses. Most people believe that the hard part is coming up with the idea, and the easy part is turning it into a business. A written plan is helpful for communication to others Assemble a team with the right skills and experience.

Ideas 72

Ideas Startup Metrics Entrepreneur 72

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?” The obvious answer is that you need an idea first, but I’ve come to realize that the process is really much more complex than that. Are you confident and disciplined in facing tough challenges?

Entrepreneur 124

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Writing 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Many people believe that new ideas are the critical element of innovation, but in my experience as a mentor and investor, long-term business success is more about implementation than ideas. Everyone has ideas, but only a few can make them happen. Create an appealing vision, mission and purpose.

Artificial Inteligence 114

Artificial Inteligence Ideas Satisfaction Customer 114

socalTECH

JANUARY 19, 2017

To help fix that, the startup has created a mobile app to guide people through their strengths, interests, key skills, and more to guide them along the way to a career they'll love. We came together with the idea of designing something that specifically addresses the skills and opportunity gap in our country. How did this start?

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Help Education CTO Coach Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 20, 2020

This trait, sometimes called mental complexity, will convince others that you likely understand the relevant issues, are willing to challenge your own ideas, and will be quicker to adapt them to encompass new information, experiences, and meaning. Recognize natural leaders and seeks help from them.

Entrepreneur 168

Entrepreneur Mentor Metrics Customer 168

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most aspiring entrepreneurs look to their alma mater, or any university, as a source of classes that can help them, but neglect to think outside the box or take advantage of all the other resources to be found there. Get help with grant funding and incubator resources. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors.

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Entrepreneur Class Startup Resource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2023

As standalone innovators, these may have trouble recognizing where the mother ship skills and expertise can be applied to develop innovation ideas properly. These personas are sought out in every company to better understand an initiative and plug gaps in ideas and plans, and recommend required resources and tactical moves.

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Coach Ideas Mentor Organization 96

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 4, 2017

If an entrepreneur doesn’t find themselves in over their head at least 20% of the time, they are probably not pushing the limits, not taking enough risk, and probably not working on an idea that’s worth doing. The challenge in to know when and how to ask for help, and not let bravado and ego mask anxieties. Seek help or get out.

Help 55

Help Startup Entrepreneur Mentor 55

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2018

What is Startup Boost , and how is it looking to help early stage startups in Los Angeles? It's a term to help people understand that we're here to help companies get ready to scale. We do that by galvanizing the community to help out. They're willing to give their time, a few hours a week, to help out startups.

Startup 172

Startup Seed Funding Mentor Ideas 172

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2023

The servant leader serves the people they lead through mentoring, direct assistance, listening, and acting on their employees input. Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around? Do others on your team communicate their ideas and vision for the organization when you are around?

Mentor 92

Mentor Organization Ideas Examples 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2023

Many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. In my experience, building a business is much more about getting things done than having great ideas. It’s time to get the help you need.

Writing 92

Writing Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2013

They dream of appearing at the door, with their idea on the back of a napkin, and popping out a few months later with investor money to burn. His tests focus on personality traits alone (ignoring your startup idea), looking for fluid intelligence, openness, and agreeableness. Expert mentoring and training. Initial funding.

Incubator 115

Incubator Help Startup Technical Review 115

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2022

First of all, it’s more of an investment in people than in a business, since the startup is usually an idea barely half-baked when they need your money. On the plus side, it’s an opportunity to get in early and really help make things happen that will change an industry, or change the world. Join an existing angel investor group.

Startup 120

Startup Invest Equity Incubator 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2021

Kevin Cope, in his classic book “ Seeing the Big Picture ”, does a great job of outlining the basics of business acumen for executives, and helped me assimilate some practical ideas on building the essential elements for entrepreneurs: Reserve time daily to research the market, as well as technology.

Mentor 139

Mentor Entrepreneur Ideas Networking 139