The Curious Case of the Reluctant Entrepreneur. A hitherto unknown Conan Doyle story? No, rather the tale of a founder, “Olivia,” who refused to change her business model when faced with negative investor feedback. What should have been a relatively simple change...
As a startup advisor these many years, I have grown accustomed to working with clients who choose their own paths. My advice can fall upon deaf ears. Twas ever thus. Had my entrepreneurial clients been accustomed to following others’ directions, it’s likely they...
This is the fourth in a series of founder related blogs, all of which could be filed under the heading, Dumbfounded. I have written previously about startup founders hoarding shares, overvaluing their companies, and filling key roles with non-entrepreneurial hires. ...
We use the terms, equity and shares without a second thought. Their meanings are understood. There’s no need to reach for a dictionary. Or is there? If you are a founder of a startup, one with multiple employees, I suggest you give these two words a closer look....
Sweat equity, the non-monetary contribution that team members make starting a new business, is often presumed but seldom well calculated. Founders with substantial shareholdings need not concern themselves, but other team members would be well served to break out...
Founder or Co-Founder. These are coveted titles, ones that call to mind famous names like Gates and Allen, or Jobs and Wozniak. I’ve seen many an entrepreneur obsess over this designation, whether on a website, business card or closing document. It’s a...
