Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. Enlist a mentor and advisor who is not a ‘yes’ person. Write a business plan for your first startup.

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Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 135

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2020

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Resource 171

Resource Startup Organization Incubator 171

socalTECH

JUNE 6, 2011

Those programs--epitomized by YCombinator in the Bay Area, and TechStars in Boulder, Colorado--attract newly minted entrepreneurs with a mixture of cash and mentoring, and a program which rapidly takes ideas and turns them into viable, executing businesses. Those mentors are not just Bruce and I, although we are full time on this.

Startup 221

Startup Mentor Southern California Incubator 221

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

I don’t feel like canceling LinkedIn just because occasionally a well-meaning but slightly not-clued-in person from a faraway place wants me to be their personal mentor, answer 3-questions for their high-school entrepreneurship project or take a sales pitch for their recruiting services. I’m not an elitist a **e.

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Email Writing Conference Mobile 250

Tech.Co

JANUARY 29, 2018

Add Mentors to Your Roster. Regardless of one’s stage, mentors are a must have for any founder. Through the CTA Mentor program, these individuals can help founders foresee roadblocks and challenges, work through regulations, offer perspectives, help one fine tune pitches and asks, introduce them to the right people, and more.

Startup 87

Startup Mentor Artificial Inteligence Research 87

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2022

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. A truly fulfilled life means meeting the four core needs: acceptance, connection, purpose, and service. Maintain some reality by listing vulnerabilities, risks, and costs. Fulfillment is a choice.

Entrepreneur 153

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 153

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2019

As a long-time mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’ve been convinced for some time that good entrepreneurs have the right mindset, and the right attributes, to be good at anything they want. Brown, who has been studying and writing about business leaders for many years for Forbes, BusinessWeek, and Inc.

Entrepreneur 116

Entrepreneur Mentor Competition Study 116

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 2, 2011

I’m sitting at my computer now at 9.00pm writing this – which is an hour earlier than I normally write (there are about 8 women at my kitchen table having a book club (aka excuse to drink wine & gossip so I’m locked in another room writing. They could chat about it with their peers or mentors.

Email 287

Email Blogging Venture Capital Writing 287

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 23, 2015

The final clip is Fred & I talking about whether “the best product wins” and my assertion that the bias in today’s Silicon Valley dominated tech world there is probably too much emphasis on tech at the expense of how to sell, implement and service customers. I remember writing about online video nearly 5 years ago.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Startup Writing Blogging 150

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I tend to see many of the same obstacles appearing in every new startup, and since I don’t want to appear to be a downer , I’m not sure how to properly warn people ahead of time to be on the alert for these challenges. Each of these can go astray as follows: Your product or service hits unexpected snags.

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Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

SoCal CTO

OCTOBER 5, 2010

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Write and 9 Tips To Get Started - OnStartups , September 27, 2010 "The best part of blogging is the people you will meet"- Hugh MacLeod repeating wisdom from Loic Lemeur to me at the Big Pink at 2 am in South Beach after the Future of Web Apps 2008. Why You Should Write. Why You Should Write.

Startup 191

Startup Product Technology Venture Capital 191

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2015

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, the most common question I get is, “I want to be an entrepreneur -- how do I start?” You will be operating outside of any proven realm, no mentor can give you the answer, and it won’t help to blame anyone else for missteps and environmental changes you can’t predict. Money is not a substitute.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Mentor Ideas Startup 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 28, 2018

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

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Funding Startup Organization Incubator 94

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist. Providing your product or service free to customers may sound attractive in marketing materials, but you need revenue sources to survive.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

There are lots of resources available for the challenge of that activity, including the Internet and mentors like me. Writing down key parameters will force you solidify the specifics, and mentally commit to them. Make the product or service come alive. Reach out with creative videos to influencers in your domain.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

The first step toward a business with any idea is to write it down, and build a business plan around it. Usually these will not give you money, but will provide inexpensive expert mentoring and office services. Sometimes these will ask for 5%-15% of your equity for their support services.

Organization 93

Organization Startup Incubator Ideas 93

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 10, 2010

If I AM an investor, mentor, friend or advisor I accept the email being longer. When you write your email to the person assume it will be forwarded “as is&# so ask for an intro in a way that you wouldn’t mind somebody else reading. Yes, I love DropBox, Box.net, DocStoc, SlideShare and similar services.

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Help Email Mentor Blogging 332

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2015

As a long-time mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’ve been convinced for some time that good entrepreneurs have the right mindset, and the right attributes, to be good at anything they want. Brown, who has been studying and writing about business leaders for many years for Forbes, BusinessWeek, and Inc.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Mentor Study Competition 105

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Use blogging, outside publication, and speaking or mentoring opportunities to establish credibility and stand out above peers. Write down some target objectives and milestones. I have found that the delivery of my special expertise in professional services is one of the most satisfying and fulfilling roles I have ever experienced.

Startup 98

Startup Outsource Development Competition Social Media 98

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2018

As a long-time mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’ve been convinced for some time that good entrepreneurs have the right mindset, and the right attributes, to be good at anything they want. Brown, who has been studying and writing about business leaders for many years for Forbes, BusinessWeek, and Inc.

Entrepreneur 64

Entrepreneur Mentor Competition Study 64

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2014

As a long-time mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’ve been convinced for some time that good entrepreneurs have the right mindset, and the right attributes, to be good at anything they want. Brown, who has been studying and writing about business leaders for many years for Forbes, BusinessWeek, and Inc.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Mentor Study Competition 110

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2019

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. A truly fulfilled life means meeting the four core needs: acceptance, connection, purpose, and service. Maintain some reality by listing vulnerabilities, risks, and costs. Fulfillment is a choice.

Entrepreneur 91

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 91

Tech.Co

MARCH 1, 2018

The event is open to tech enthusiasts who want to join an event filled with some of the top leaders, investors and mentors from tech industry to network, find mentors and build their companies. In collaboration with Marshawn Lynch, the cofounders are planning on making cell phone service free. AdWallet (Albuquerque, NM).

Startup 79

Startup Mentor Platform Help 79

InfoChachkie

MARCH 10, 2014

Jackson Brown sat at his kitchen table, pulled out a pad of paper and began writing advice to his son, who had just entered college. Become someone''s hero - when someone asks you to be their mentor, smile and say, "I would be honored.". Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others. Fight fairly.

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Competition Mentor Entrepreneur Startup 274

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 21, 2014

You join teams that got good write-ups on TechCrunch, have great VCs, have star CEO’s, whatever. Our founder, Yves Sisteron, was my mentor and board member at my first startup. Writing a book will be fun. The truth is you really don’t know how your teammates or your bosses will perform in good times and bad.

CTO Hire 320

CTO Hire Startup CTO Coach Venture Capital 320

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

Innovative products and services always take longer to develop than anticipated, and quality problems pop up where least expected. Bring in expert advisors and mentors to set initial goals, and build recovery plans. Write every check personally, rather than relying on a bookkeeper or administrative help.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

socalTECH

JULY 13, 2009

Mark has also been quite active mentoring entrepreneurs, We caught up with Mark to hear about what kinds of investments GRP is looking at nowadays, his view on the software-as-a-service market, and how best to approach him with a pitch. So we're focused on technology, and financial services. That as unhealthy.

GRP Partners 157

GRP Partners Southern California Santa Barbara Rustic Canyon 157

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

It’s easier to use screen-captures and notes on existing processes, rather than write detailed manuals. Use mentoring to help people develop as your business develops. The more services you provide to a wider mix of customers, the more variability you have, and the harder it becomes to provide extraordinary and consistent services.

Resource 60

Resource Examples Design Entrepreneur 60

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

Get connected to the right mentors and your business may catapult to the next level. I figured if Matt was on the verge of bankruptcy and one mentor changed his trajectory, what if we had a formalized, community-wide program? Big thank you to Darius Vasefi , of EyeOnJewels for the write up. The answer? Something so simple.

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Customer Custom 304

Tech Zulu Event

SEPTEMBER 13, 2013

It was cool that I spoke at the White House last year about mentoring. I am very active in mentoring women and minorities. Most of the people, who use our app are based on three verticals: service and hospitality, health care administrative, and clerical. Write descriptions that get to the heart of what you really want.

Mobile 86

Mobile Marketing Writing Startup 86

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2017

Based on my current role as a mentor to entrepreneurs, I will paraphrase and recommend Whiddon’s top techniques in business terms: Build an image of likability and rapport. You can also establish authority by writing and public speaking. We all relish working with and buying from people we can relate to on a personal level.

Social Media 58

Social Media Customer Custom Entrepreneur 58

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

A huge shout out to Ricky Wong of NYCSteals for helping me with the write-up. Seth’s interest in helping others grew out of his lack of having a mentor. He was drawn to Stanford by the people ecosystem- access to professors and mentors. How did the idea for Meebo version 3, the web-based IM service, come about?

Startup 286

Startup Venture Capital Web Ideas 286

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2013

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. A truly fulfilled life means meeting the four core needs: acceptance, connection, purpose, and service. Maintain some reality by listing vulnerabilities, risks, and costs. Fulfillment is a choice.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 97

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2017

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. A truly fulfilled life means meeting the four core needs: acceptance, connection, purpose, and service. Maintain some reality by listing vulnerabilities, risks, and costs. Fulfillment is a choice.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 55

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2012

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. A truly fulfilled life means meeting the four core needs: acceptance, connection, purpose, and service. Maintain some reality by listing vulnerabilities, risks, and costs. Fulfillment is a choice.

Entrepreneur 86

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 86

Jason Nazar

APRIL 2, 2016

Write down the 3 most important aspects of each of these areas: family, romantic relationships, friends, work, health, sex and spirituality. Write down 5-year goals. Write this down on a Post-it note at the beginning of each day/week, and hold yourself accountable for completing this above all other Stuff To Do.

Tips 43

Tips Writing Startup Framework 43

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 30, 2012

We write and create our own content for the game. Start Engine offers a team of mentors who have proven themselves as successful entrepreneurs – not professional investors – ensuring that its startups are guided by the right people for the right reasons. Rapid Fire Trivia is a game owned and operated by Danger Room Gaming.

CalTech 91

CalTech Company Companies Idealab 91