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What if all the sacrifice we're making for this startup isn't worth it?

There's a bit of a compact we make with ourselves that it's OK to sacrifice our time, money, and life experiences for a big payoff later. The most important part of that assumption is that we're absolutely certain that the things we'll get with that payoff are worth the sacrifice.

But how do we know for sure? What if we go through all of this sacrifice, get everything we ever thought we wanted, and wind up no more satisfied than we are today? What if our dreams are an illusion?

The Cost of Being Wrong

The cost of us being wrong is significant because, as Founders, we sacrifice a lot for our goals. By comparison, if we work a regular day job, we get paid for our time. We...

It doesn't matter if we have a "big opportunity" if it never really accomplishes our personal goals.

Yet it's hard to avoid starting a company without thinking in terms of the market potential or the ultimate outcome. If we run around saying that our new startup could one day be a "$1 million business," we're going to get very few high fives. Yet, if we say we're going to be a "$1 billion business," we'll have people lining up to talk to us. Why is that?

The difference in that balance becomes who benefits from that outcome. At $1 million, it's almost entirely the Founders. At $1 billion, it's investors, staff, and everyone else that's joined in the party. What we need to consider is who we're really building this business for and, as such, ...

There are tons of famous Founders who have built world-changing companies in less than 40 hours per week — I just can't name a single one.

I'm not talking about the later stages when a company is already successful. I'm talking about the "garage band years" when it's just the Founder(s) doing every possible job and scraping to get a single paying customer.

The idea is that we can simply put in our 40 hours, work really hard, then turn it all off and live a regular life. Which sounds awesome. So why is it that every time we hear the origin story of a Founder, it's always the same — they worked insane hours for an insane amount of time to get to an incredible outcome?

Time is Money

Let's start with the correlation of hours to our success and...

Tap into the power of startup communities to help you take your ideas and business plans further. These incredible networks offer a wealth of resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can be invaluable when starting out on an entrepreneurial venture.

In this blog post, we will look at why these innovative startup ecosystems are so important in America, as well as explore options for international entrepreneurs who want to access these global community support structures too. Finally, early-stage investor input is discussed with tips shared on how best to navigate through the process successfully!

Short Summary

• Startup communities provide powerful resources and connections to help entrepreneurs succeed.

• Explore the vibrant startu...

Businesses need to be able to access capital for growth and stability, which is why understanding the different approaches to raising funds is essential. This blog post provides an in-depth guide on analyzing, comparing, and applying various methods of obtaining funding so that companies have the ample financial resources they require.

Short Summary

• Understanding the importance of capital raising and different methods available to businesses.

• Evaluating pros & cons of equity financing vs debt financing, as well as innovative strategies such as crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and strategic partnerships.

• Attracting investors by crafting a compelling pitch, building a strong network & demonstrating past successes. Plus preparing for ca...

Founders are generally really bad at asking for help... but why?

We'd think in a business where we need help with literally everything, we'd be amazing at asking for help. Yet time and time again, we go it alone, or at most make a half-hearted attempt to get the guidance we probably need.

I spend most of my day pleading with Founders, "Please, whatever you do, stop guessing! Let me just tell you exactly what you need to do in order to move forward so you can spend your time getting it done versus figuring out how to do it."

Once we finally break that seal, I get countless questions, which is exactly my goal as someone who helps Founders all day. But the same issue keeps coming up "Why are Founders always hesitant to ask for help?"

We're Use...

Many entrepreneurs have looked to mentors as a way of finding guidance and support for their startups. With the right startup mentor by your side, you can avoid pitfalls and navigate toward success. This blog post will provide strategies on how to find such perfect mentors who could take your startup journey up another notch!

Short Summary

• Gain invaluable knowledge and experience from a startup mentor to help your business succeed.

• Network, attend events, use online platforms & leverage personal connections to find the perfect mentor for you.

• Build meaningful relationships based on trust and understanding for a successful mentorship journey.

The Importance of Startup Mentors

Having access to the cumulative experience and expertise of many bus...

Have you ever had a desire to have total control, make an impact on the world, and establish something that will last for generations?

If so, then entrepreneurship is likely your ticket. But what does it actually mean to become an entrepreneur? The journey for entrepreneurs can be both exciting and gratifying, yet at times challenging and risky. There are plenty of possibilities if done correctly.

Here we'll discuss in depth the concept of becoming successful as an entrepreneur — from gaining insight into crucial entrepreneurial thinking required all the way through to how one may navigate running their own business — offering practical guidance specifically tailored towards early-stage entrepreneurs.

In conclusion, you'll be far more prepa...

In today's fast-paced world of startups, securing adequate funding is crucial to success. Entrepreneurs must navigate a myriad of funding stages, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities. With this comprehensive guide to different stages of funding for startups, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the startup funding stage and landscape, enabling you to make informed decisions and ultimately fuel your venture's growth.

Short Summary

• Understanding startup funding stages is essential for successful resource acquisition.

• Pre-seed, seed, series A to C financing and an IPO are common investment options available to startups.

• Preparation including a business plan and pitch presentation as well as due diligence research are key el...

We all know how much of a toll being a Founder takes on us, but what about everyone around us?

It'd be nice to think that our journey, and the personal hell that is trying to be a Founder overall is limited to just our own world, the reality is our world radiates out to everyone around us. Our long hours, intense stress, and sometimes total failure doesn't just blow up our world, it has a strong ripple effect on everyone around us.

Startups Aren't Exactly "Marriage Enhancers"

If you ever want to truly test your marriage (or any relationship for that matter), try running it through the grueling gauntlet that is a startup company. While it's hard enough to build a strong relationship, mixing in a giant dose of anxiety and uncertainty does not...