Lessons answers

What is the success rate for first time entrepreneurs?

Answered by Dan Martell Posted in Lessons

5% I believe. However, that shouldn't be your goal. I failed twice before making it work $$$. Now I know the pattern have help create multiple companies doing $M+ in rev... (more)

Once Tim Ferries mentioned he makes sure the entrepreneurs he invests in has a safety net if the business goes bad. What do you think are back up plans an entrepreneur can ...

Answered by Victoria Ransom Posted in Lessons Management

You should have either good enough work experience or education that you believe you can get a job quickly, as that would be the primary back up plan. For some that will me... (more)

I have strong writing skills, but am not great at public speaking. I want to improve this so I can become a community manager. How can I brush up on my communication skills?

Answered by Amber MacArthur Posted in Lessons Marketing

First of all, I don't believe that great speakers are natural-born speakers. In other words, it's all about speaking A LOT. I've been speaking professionally for five yea... (more)

Any advice for an entrepreneur visiting the Silicon Valley for the first time for a couple weeks (which I am currently doing). How to make the best of it and connect with ...

Answered by Charlie O'Donnell Posted in Lessons

Work backwards from specific goals. Do you want to talk to investors? Do you want to get help with marketing? "Getting to know the Valley" is too big and too general a g... (more)

Hi Craig - wondering if you have had any mentors as you've grown your business and if you recommend creating a board of advisors to someone just starting out? Thanks!

Answered by Craig Newmark Posted in Lessons

Didn't have mentors, wish I had one or more who'd tell me when I was screwing up, back in the day. (Now we have help.) No need to get so formal as a board of advisors but ... (more)

What trends do you think startups need to be paying attention to?

Answered by Dan Martell Posted in Lessons

What users are spending their time on (ex: Social, Mobile, Video, etc). For example, if you don't know about Formspring.me - then you're not paying attention. I'm always ... (more)

Was there ever a point where you wondered if you weren't going to succeed? Have you ever had self-doubt?

Answered by Aaron Patzer Posted in Management Lessons

Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we might oft win, by fearing to attempt. ~Shakespeare (more)

I am actively looking to invest in/join start-up, early stage enterprise in TO. I am new to this arena (corporate guy) and want to efficiently network. Suggestions?

Answered by Michael Garrity Posted in Lessons

Congrats on joining the start-up community - we need all the help, smarts and resources we can get. There are lots of community types of events in most cities. In TO ther... (more)

Do you do any email marketing? Best approach?

Answered by Taylor Mingos Posted in Marketing Lessons

Email marketing has played a big role for us in terms of activating and building relationships with our existing users. We use MailChimp as our ESP and we're huge advocates... (more)

When an individual begins a startup, should he/she concentrate on product/service development or marketing?

Answered by Eric Ries Posted in Lessons

yes (more)

how do you maintain a work life balance without getting demotivated

Answered by Noah Godfrey Posted in Lessons

Taking time off to sleep / play / relax / recharge is necessary and will make you more productive (and happy) when you do work. Make it a priority - schedule it in your ca... (more)

All the taxes, legalities, and paperwork surrounding starting and growing a business is overwhelming...how do you ensure everything's taken care of without spending all of ...

Answered by Dan Martell Posted in Management Operations Lessons

The best way is to dedicate a day (for me it's Sundays) to work on that kind of stuff. Every Sunday is paperwork day. If you do this weekly you'll stay on top of it - but... (more)

How do you know when your start-up isn't going to start?

Answered by Tim Berry Posted in Product Development Lessons

If you're a normal person engaged in developing a startup you live with the constant worry that it won't and that inspires you to work harder and push it forward. One spec... (more)

What made you start VentureBlog?

Answered by David Hornik Posted in Lessons

At the time I started VentureBlog, there were no VCs blogging. This was something like 7 years ago and the idea of a VC talking about what he was doing and the things he t... (more)

Where do you go for advice when you are in early stages of developing concept for business

Answered by Corey Kossack Posted in Lessons Resources

Advisors with experience in my industrt, and other colleagues and friends that I trust. (more)

If I record a podcast, is it OK for me to take shots at competitors?

Answered by Amber MacArthur Posted in Lessons

That depends...do you ever need to work with these competitors? (more)

What would you advise to a small business owner who wants to learn from the best in the adventure travel industry, despite how far away he may be in Toronto or on his many ...

Answered by Bruce Poon Tip Posted in Lessons

Are you secretly trying to flatter me here.. just ask. I am here.. or are you talking about someone else in Toronto!! Always ready to help a fellow adventurer find their wa... (more)

What's the best piece of entrepreneurship advice you've ever received?

Answered by Jack Abraham Posted in Lessons

Whenever possible, try to avoid people. They are often barriers to progress and will slow you down. (more)

Would you encourage other startups to try to launch at TechCrunch like you did for Mint.com? How did it help you (if it did)?

Answered by Aaron Patzer Posted in Lessons

TechCrunch 40 was the most important 7 minutes of my professional career. It launched Mint into the world, attracted tons of press and bloggers, and winning meant that I c... (more)

What are the big mistakes you see founders make when pitching investors?

Answered by Eric Ries Posted in Money Sales Lessons

Answering the wrong question. For example, I once saw a team pitching all of the benefits of intelligent robots, including slides from the Jetsons, Transformers, etc. But t... (more)

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Lessons answers