Unexpected Startup Lesson #2: Channel your Inner VC to Understand Startup Valuations

May 27, 2010 4 minutes

Valuation in early-stage startups should be viewed as an output variable, focusing on future value rather than current worth. Prioritize factors like team, market, and execution over valuation, as they significantly impact outcomes. Understanding venture math and negotiating terms is crucial for successful fundraising.

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Unexpected Startup Lesson #1: Quitting the day job

May 09, 2010 3 minutes

Quitting my day job to start Snapvine felt risky, but within months, I gained invaluable networking, learning, and satisfaction, far surpassing my MBA experience. The unexpected lesson? Taking the leap was a zero-risk move that opened doors and positioned me better for the future. Just do it!

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If you want to ship, cut, cut, cut!

April 17, 2010 2 minutes

Get better updates and access to a work item list. Clear the air with a call. Cut non-essential features and bugs to focus on a minimally viable release. Remember, user-friendly means useful, not perfect. Ship now and fix later. Cut. Cut. Cut.

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3 Things I’ve Learned To Recruit Great Hackers

April 09, 2010 1 minute

To recruit great hackers, consider enlisting independent contractors for potential full-time hires, network extensively over coffee with interesting people, and focus deeply on one school by engaging in informal presentations and meet-ups to build your company's reputation.

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How much traffic do you get from being on the front page of Hacker News?

March 20, 2010 2 minutes

Last week's Hacker News post got 2,530 visits, 1,542 from Hacker News alone, compared to my usual 50-100 visits. My average traffic doubled to 30/day, and I gained 30 Twitter followers. Unexpectedly, I also received traffic from Craigslist related to a job advert.

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Sell Ice Cream, Not Cream and Ice

March 12, 2010 2 minutes

In the startup world, many focus on technology or product without a clear business model. Successful entrepreneurs generate millions by acquiring traffic, filtering intent, and selling leads, as seen in lead generation for education and home improvement. Clients prefer ready-to-transact leads over building their own solutions.

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Avoid This Startup Mistake: Losing Customer Focus

February 20, 2010 2 minutes

To maintain customer focus during rapid growth, we printed user photo thumbnails and lined our walls with them, sparking curiosity about our users. This simple technique shifted our team’s mindset, driving engagement with user stories and feedback, ultimately enhancing our product's development.

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Crucial first hire: the "do-it-all office admin"

December 16, 2009 4 minutes

Hiring a "Do-It-All Office Admin" is crucial for startups to handle distractions and free up the team to focus on core goals. Look for self-driven, smart, and trustworthy candidates eager to learn. Responsibilities include office management, recruiting, and independent tasks, reporting directly to the CEO.

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The positive follow-up to complaints, failures and ideas.

November 09, 2009 1 minute

Complaints, failures, and ideas gain value when paired with solutions, honest learning, and follow-through. Encourage others to focus on positive follow-ups, transforming negatives into foundations for innovation and opportunities worth millions.

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FiReGlobal West Notes

October 20, 2009 3 minutes

At FiReGlobal West, discussions highlighted the need for education reform towards individualized learning, innovations in energy-efficient building materials, advancements in telemedicine, and urgent action on oceanic threats. Michael Dell emphasized the shift to mobile-oriented IT and the simplification of data centers, advocating for standardization and automation.

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