Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2011

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. He knew he was an entrepreneur because he couldn’t stop thinking about ideas. On the west coast, generally the response is how to improve on an idea.

Startup 286

Startup Venture Capital Web Ideas 286

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 11, 2021

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs probably have long searched for that special idea that will catapult you and your startup to success. Yet, my experience as a business advisor and investor has convinced me that the magic is not the idea, but you and the execution. Every investor I know hears the same ones over and over again.

Entrepreneur 171

Entrepreneur Ideas Examples Satisfaction 171

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Ironically, as a startup investor and mentor, I have seen too many failures caused by just the opposite – too much money spent too soon, taking time to get product perfection, and assuming customers will wait. They see every constraint as an inhibitor to their ability to realize their ambition, and an excuse for not persevering.

Resource 112

Resource Ideas Competition Entrepreneur 112

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2021

But privately, as a mentor to many entrepreneurs, I see mindsets and attributes that may be equally critical to success, but are not readily admitted, for fear of being too wacky. They know there is nothing wrong with having passion for a new idea, but they don’t let it influence business decisions.

Entrepreneur 171

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Demand Custom 171

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2021

In my role as mentor to business professionals, I often get the question about your potential of going out on your own as an entrepreneur, versus your current role of working for a boss at an established company. Most people think success depends on first having that innovative and unique idea, but I would beg to differ.

Entrepreneur 158

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Ideas Social Media 158

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2023

The best entrepreneurs relish the challenges, and get great satisfaction from overcoming and learning from adversity. Ask for help from advisors and mentor your team. One of the biggest causes of startup failure is simply giving up too early. They enjoy the journey, as well as the destination.

Ideas 105

Ideas Startup Entrepreneur Social Media 105

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.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Startup Entrepreneur Software Review 149

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2021

I n my experience mentoring new entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders, I see far too many who seem to be driven by all the wrong reasons. When Bill Gates acted on his dream of putting a computer in every home and on every desk, he had no idea of the fortune it would bring to him, since he wanted only to make a difference.

Startup 144

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Patents 144

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2021

As a mentor, I’m regularly frustrated by people who try to cover their lack of confidence with ego and arrogance , rather than working on the base issue. As you look at your own idea of fun and success, self-esteem and support will come from greater competence in these areas. Prioritize your passions in improving competence.

Mentor 174

Mentor Satisfaction Competition Marketing 174

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 23, 2021

Most aspiring entrepreneurs I know are just waiting for that unique idea to strike them that will kickstart their new venture, put them in control of their lifestyle, achieve financial independence, and maybe even change the world. Should I start out alone, or assemble a team first? A business is never a solo operation.

Startup 159

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Equity 159

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 19, 2022

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, crowdfunding still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. The crowd gets the satisfaction of helping, with minimal risk, and no expectation of any high return.

Funding 141

Funding Startup Outsource Development Satisfaction 141

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2020

Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Thus, in my view, entrepreneurship is an evolution of an idea through a series of developmental stages, culminating in a self-sustaining business. Startup and development stage.

Ideas 127

Ideas Entrepreneur Satisfaction Summary 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Similarly, it will be very satisfying to see the productivity increases from your leadership and mentoring.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Custom Customer 118

Tech.Co

DECEMBER 4, 2020

It’s with profound sadness we mourn the loss of a true visionary, author, mentor, thought-leader, investor, and friend, Tony Hsieh. We also shared a passion for seeing others launch new ideas and grow them. By Frank Gruber and Jen Consalvo. Readers may be interested to know that Tech.co co-founders.

Commerce 198

Commerce Statistics Customer Custom 198

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 1, 2020

You’ve probably already made your resolutions for 2020, but if not, I suggest a renewed commitment to finding happiness and satisfaction in your chosen business lifestyle. If you are sick of the corporate grind, take your favorite idea or hobby, and join other happy entrepreneurs. Stay rooted in the present. Keep track of your wins.

Entrepreneur 137

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Mentor Writing 137

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2015

According to several reliable reports , job satisfaction for employees is at an all-time low. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. One obvious alternative is to become an entrepreneur. Take action now.

Satisfaction 57

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing Startup 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Thus, in my view, entrepreneurship is an evolution of an idea through a series of developmental stages, culminating in a self-sustaining business. Startup and development stage.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Satisfaction 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 29, 2021

As a long-time business advisor and mentor to entrepreneurs, I consistently find that the most thriving businesses are people-centric, and those team members create the best processes, rather than the other way around. That takes less time and gives everyone greater satisfaction.

Satisfaction 154

Satisfaction Demand Resource Competition 154

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

Seek input from the team, as well as mentors. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from peers, your advisory board, and outside experts and mentors. Some well-known business leaders, including Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg , always kept an active mentor relationship with a peer or two, to discuss business challenges and strategy.

Mentor 127

Mentor Satisfaction Customer Custom 127

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2020

Yet as I mentor entrepreneurs around the country, it still seems to be one of the least understood approaches to startup funding, with more myths than accredited angels and professional venture capital investors combined. The crowd gets the satisfaction of helping, with minimal risk, and no expectation of any high return.

Entrepreneur 129

Entrepreneur Outsource Development Satisfaction Equity 129

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2020

According to Gallup surveys , job satisfaction for employees is at an all-time low. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. Learn new skills that will make you an expert in that domain, and both satisfaction and wealth will follow.

Entrepreneur 123

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing Startup 123

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2020

Take a deeper dive into your idea before you declare. High-level ideas rarely make good business solutions. From the work and feedback, you will learn much on how your solution will fare with customers, before building the product Tap expert sources in other domains for ideas. He is quoted as saying, “I have not failed.

Startup 134

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 134

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. Search for customer pain rather than high margins.

Artificial Inteligence 114

Artificial Inteligence Ideas Satisfaction Custom 114

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2022

In my experience as an advisor and mentor to entrepreneurs in business, one of the biggest failures I see is a lack of self-leadership. In my view, business leaders are not “idea people,” but people who drive a given idea to business results. You can’t lead a business to success, if you can’t lead yourself.

Capital 114

Capital Coach Satisfaction Ideas 114

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2022

These challenges, with recommendations for addressing them, were detailed nicely for me in the classic book, “ The Boomerang Principle ,” by Lee Caraher, who has built several companies, and has helped many others manage Millennials, reduce turnover, and improve satisfaction and the return hire rate.

Mentor 147

Mentor Coach Satisfaction Training 147

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2015

Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup. Thus, in my view, entrepreneurship is an evolution of an idea through a series of developmental stages, culminating in a self-sustaining business. Startup and development stage.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Ideas Satisfaction Summary 109

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2022

In my own experience as a startup advisor and mentor, I find that entrepreneurs who can’t attract and maintain a highly motivated team rarely even get off the ground. Good hiring, training, and mentoring are the best motivators. So if your mission is to change the world, a great idea may be necessary, but is not sufficient.

Examples 145

Examples Mentor Activity Product 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Similarly, it will be very satisfying to see the productivity increases from your leadership and mentoring.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Custom Customer 101

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 19, 2013

I knew change was inevitable, but I had no idea how stressful and exhausting maintaining my internal reality distortion field had been until they gave me permission to turn it off.” It was great to get some new ideas around the table and to have some money to execute on our plans with more resources than before.

Startup 303

Startup Technical Review Product Blogging 303

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Most of you business professionals that I know have at least thought about or talked about starting their own business, to get more control, make more money, or to get more satisfaction out of their life. As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started. You must feel satisfaction.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

Inside the organization, it also pays to offer some of your time for coaching and mentoring to less experienced team members, as an entrée to a supportive relationship. Graduate from an idea person to one who delivers results. Ideas without results kill many businesses. Stretch here also increases job satisfaction.

Startup 121

Startup Satisfaction Technical Review Ideas 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2021

Most investors will readily admit that they invest in entrepreneur leadership, more so than innovative ideas, but they often find it difficult to separate aspiring leaders from those that are clearly extraordinary. That means accepting coaching and seeking mentoring, as well as giving it. The time to get started is now.

Coach 162

Coach Startup Resource Competition 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2015

In my experience mentoring new entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders, I see far too many who seem to be driven by all the wrong reasons. When Bill Gates acted on his dream of putting a computer in every home and on every desk, he had no idea of the fortune it would bring to him, since he wanted only to make a difference.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Patents Ideas 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. Incent and reward new ideas with action, not more study.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2020

Practicing these will ensure greater productivity, less stress, more job satisfaction, and an improved overall sense of well-being. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. It means always paying full attention to the people, objects, and ideas around you.

Email 170

Email Activity Social Media Coach 170

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. It’s an amazing ride, and there is no satisfaction like creating something out of nothing.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

I see no reason not to balance these frustrations with the satisfaction of more conventional work accomplishments and the people relationships we all need to thrive. Most entrepreneurs don’t get the satisfaction of a salary for the first couple of years, even if their startup is well funded by investors.

Startup 128

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction News 128