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I've had several Startup CTO Consulting sessions recently where it became apparent that the Founder needed help with the business and product as much or more than the technology. Then we discussed how they could go about finding this startup business advisor. Do you have any suggestions for how to find a good mentor?
While I agree that successful company builders usually have a natural inclination to be entrepreneurs, a good education helps polish that apple. Many colleges offer courses on entrepreneurship, to help you think like one. An MBA is helpful, but not required. Take advantage of inside and outside advisers at school.
To that end, last week, Los Angeles-based MuckerLab (www.muckerlab.com) announced its plans--and a big lineup of local CEO mentors--to start up a new, YCombinator- and TechStars-type program in Los Angeles, headed by former Silicon Valley venture capitalist Erik Rannala , and affiliated with the TechStars Network.
If I can help you avoid some of my first-time mistakes it would be a victory. Most people totally advise against stealth. They certainly struggle to find mentors as there is nothing more frustrating than trying to help a company who is afraid to tell you anything. Ask if you can help be a source for other stories.
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. Know yourself and find help to fill in the gaps. Start today building a bigger network.
Many of the entrepreneurs I advise or invest with spend considerable time on the Internet, keeping up with technology, customers, and competitors, but very few feel the need for an early personal presence. There are dozens of tools available to help you monitor relevant activity, including Social Mention and Google Alerts.
In my business of mentoring new entrepreneurs and advising small company owners, I recognize that most don’t start as experienced leaders, and most don’t realize that people leadership is a primary key to their future success. Building a business is not a one-person job, and leading by edict rarely works today.
We're focused on larger scale events, not do-it-yourself type events, and we're really for people planning large scale events, looking for ideas, and who are looking for a professional to help them. I feel strongly, that if you're going to do this, you need to be technical, or have a technical co-founder. He's based in LA.
Unfortunately, too many of the technical entrepreneurs I mentor and advise are focused on their technology, and assume that the value will be self-evident to customers. Tech may be the tool, but hospitality – making life a little easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable for your customer, is the winning focus.
Composed of a three-month boot camp , the program aims to help startups build their brand while figuring out the nitty gritty of finance, manufacture, distribution and sales. Minnesota food and agriculture brand Land O’Lakes — yes, the one you know from butter packages — launched an accelerator in July 2017. The goal: Dairy innovation.
I made the jump myself from IBM several years ago, and now have a satisfying startup advising small businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs. It’s not very helpful to just say the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Focus on customer value in every job.
Steve Jobs started his technical career creating circuit boards at Atari, before joining Steve Wozniak to build personal computers in his garage. I advise owners that they have to know when to give up a business, as well as when to buy one. Help your owner get beyond the misleading metrics of employee overtime and salary increases.
More importantly, as a parent or mentor, what should you advise young potential entrepreneurs about getting an MBA? But I’ve found so many on the other side, here's my net on when an MBA really helps an entrepreneur: If you are already an entrepreneur, more education, including an MBA, will only slow you down.
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