Startup Therapy

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the possibility of firing your employees for a restart? Let’s put it this way. The people in your team when you started may not be the right people now that your business is growing. The skills that they currently have may no longer fit the roles you need to continuously push your team forward. Everything changes, all things evolve, skills must upgrade. What about your people?    Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:19 Every founder has had a reset moment 04:37 The person you hired before may not be the best person now 09:31 What roles will not hire again? 13:18 Directional changes do happen 17:42 The compensation for every role 21:26 Managing is a very different job 24:56 Who should you rehire? 30:36 What roles are the best w

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about being at the peak of our opportunity. In our early years, when we fail to succeed in growing our Startup, it’s okay. We can take a breather, regroup, and then start again. When we’re already in our mid 40’s and 50’s (or older), screwing up comes at a high price. A restart may no longer be possible. On a positive note though, with age, we get to stack up on experience, knowledge, and skills needed for business success. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 000:43 What if we are at the peak of our opportunity? 06:02 That moment when we strike lightning 10:42 Be pragmatic 14:44 Do not mess with your downside 20:54 In our 20s, we don’t consider risks like we would in our later years 25:43 In our older years, we can’t screw up

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the likelihood of founders taking money off the table. Is it possible? Could be if the company has the potential of exponential growth in a short period of time. Is it doable? Most definitely if the means the company has the resources and manpower to get things done fast. But the possibility of being able to take money off the table is close to zero for most founders. You have to show proof that you can perform and you’re staying for the long run!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:07 There’s a lot of talk about founder liquidity 03:19 No discussion with investors about taking money off the table 08:37 The upside founders always wanted 15:09 It is not an easy ask 19:48 You should be able to have the conversation of who to ask

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about being leveraged and how it affects Startup growth. Early on, founders tend to believe that choosing an investor is an option. Yes, this is possible for people in the top 5 percent or those that haven been in this route more than once. But if you belong in the other 95%, which most of us are, we don’t get to choose. We get lucky when someone takes interest in investing in our Startup. So wise up and ‘choose’ well!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:33 How much choice do we really have as founders? 02:37 It’s a privilege to be able to choose your investors 08:40 The real point of leverage 13:33 Sometimes time is what you need for leverage 18:21 Creating a healthy work-life balance isn’t si

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about not thinking too much about what other people think. Our emotions are always valid especially when our ideas aren’t appealing enough or when our Startup fails to gain any momentum. We always worry about what other people might think of us and how they will see our failure. But the truth is, no one will remember. No one will care. No one, but you. So, dust it off and start creating a new narrative!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:43 When we go through these moments of failure 05:00 Founders dwell too much on what others think 16:24 No one actually remembers 21:40 Over some time, people will barely remember 26:54 Always create a new narrative 29:52 There is always a way forward 32:57 2

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about founders not taking risks. When you get stuck in one place, getting comfortable at where you are at right now and not taking swings because of the fear of missing a hit, then growth becomes a long shot. Successful Startups did not succeed because they fear failure. Success comes when the founder keeps taking swings and managing failure as they come because they’re focused on getting a hit!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:17 Why are we afraid to take big swings? 03:38 Is it a lie when you have the intent to back it up? 09:48 Will you be able to back up your commitment? 13:40 Take a big swing and manage failure 21:03 Doing nothing will only lead to a slow demise 25:09 The other side is

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about founders with no more upside left. Having new investors is good. Stacking up more funds to expand the company is good. Although it can turn dreadful real quick when as a founder you are left with no more room to grow. You get stuck in one spot, doing the same rigorous task day by day without any promising gains at all. Wouldn’t it be better if you get enough funding and still have more control over the decision making and better incentives?Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:11 The average founder surprisingly only earns a single digit 08:28 The two separate roles: the founder and the owner 12:24 We keep assuming we’ll get incentives externally 20:08 Politics 101 during board meetings 25

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the real definition of retirement. Is it going on a vacation one after another in your 60s? Is it pursuing your love for woodwork and making a living out of it? Or perhaps starting another business using your retirement funds? Whatever it may be, what matters the most is you get to do what you love doing but this time with less stress, less pressure, and time isn’t measured.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:35 Things you plan to do upon retirement 09:00 When you don't have something, having it is extra special 17:34 The only reason it becomes special is because you can't do it 23:38 "Responsibility is defined differently in retirement." - Donna 26:14 "I don't think we want to fully ret

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about finding the right advisor. It’s natural for anyone to seek advice from people who we think know more than we do but it doesn’t necessarily mean that what they know is beneficial for founders. Well-meaning people will readily share their knowledge and expertise, and we can all learn from it. Sometimes, it isn’t enough to resolve the issues at hand. Don’t limit your Startup’s potential within your local circle.  Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:53 Who told you exactly? 09:13 Competitive investors vs. local investors 14:00 Basics in qualifying a local investor 19:02 The hometown hero founder 23:53 What do you expect from a piece of advice? 27:07 Super successful but totally irrelevant ad

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the real value of urgency. Yes, getting things done right away is good. Managing your time well and completing your tasks ahead of time and knowing the strategies to keep up with competition will help stir the business in the right direction are definitely commendable practices. But, when all of your efforts are countering your real goals and are only causing you anxiety and stress, maybe you should reconsider which priorities are urgent and which ones are pretending to be. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 02:20 How real is urgency in the Startups world? 05:33 Why false narrative around time becomes a problem 13:48 We always feel our peak performance is unreachable 18:52 If it’s urgent,

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about aiming for multiple tiny financial successes. This mentality that all your daily sacrifices, struggles, and losses will eventually lead to getting rich, sometimes, is a wishful thinking. Why not work on achieving small but steady financial wins, instead of staying broke for years in the hopes of getting rich all at once?   Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:13 Can you go super liquid every year?  05:29 Digging a hole versus Building ladder concept 11:23 How VC’s actually work 15:54 The “Get rich all at once.” mentality 23:39 Instead of stacking debt, stack on wealth 27:24 What is your base hit approach?

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about faking success. What? Is that even possible? NO, you can’t fake real success. But, YES, in the early stages of your Startup you can run it in a way wherein your success mindset is bent on believing you can make it until you’re finally there - succeeding and thriving.  Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:21 At the early stage, what about our Startup is real?  02:46 The fake office story 13:04 Don’t compare what you do with mature companies 17:19 Take pride and genuine interest in doing every job 21:53 This obsession with an organizational chart 28:15 Credibility has been changed into authenticity

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about consequences. When you started, your words didn’t weigh as much as they do now. Back then, your reach was just a few people. Now that you’ve become a founder, every single word, phrase, and statement you utter has consequences. When you speak, make sure you’re ready for the pros and cons, and eventually, how it will affect your Startup.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:20 Every single word we say has consequences 08:12 Your personal thoughts are not for public consumption 16:06 Also, your personal life matters 22:45 And now, the consequences are amplified 26:39 The different rooms where you freely express your thoughts 32:10 Your frustration pisses off, frustrates, distracts everyone else 35:50 Find a room where you can talk about things you

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about unhealthy relationships. Nope, this isn’t about love. This is about developing unhealthy relationships with family, friends, and anyone within your social circle because your toxic work life is making everything else toxic. And this is about why you can feel a little guilty for taking some time off but do it anyway.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:26 This very unhealthy relationship with work 09:21 You create this pressure that you gotta do better every time 15:31 Is a little bit of guilt a worthy trade for a better life? 25:07 No one actually cares if you spend too much time in the office 34:14 What drives you to overwork? 41:54 We all are dealing with unhealthy relationships

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about why a business shouldn’t stay a Startup. Sure, Startups get more opportunities to grow and funding offers to expand. But you can’t stay in this phase forever. Grow your business into a company that can run on its own, have a monthly recurring revenue that pays its monthly bills, and produce products that customers want to buy. That’s when you graduate from being a Startup to being a real company!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:14 We can’t always be a “Startup” 05:40 The goal is to become a real money-making company 09:20 Why do we want to maintain the Startup facade? 16:57 You should graduate from being a freshman  22:12 It’s not the funding that we should be celebrating

How many times has your competition kept you up at night? A new feature here, seed funding there, maybe you’ve even lost a customer or two – but how much of a threat are they, really? In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan share examples of competitor flops, why you should be thankful if your niche has competitors, and why you need to stop being so distracted by what other businesses are doing & focus on making your current customers even happier to work with you,Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 - How much of a threat is competition, really? 05:31 - Fear causes us to assume the worst, but the worst almost never happens 16:12 - The Fountain & Zenefits examples & why competitor’s time and investment never guarantees competitor success 21:54 - Competition is actually a great sign to start a

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about dealing with issues at work and at home. As said many times, don’t bring your work problems home the same way you can’t let your personal issues affect your work performance. You can’t deal with issues from both ends because it's unhealthy. Find an outlet where you can express your worries and make sure you get some level of support from your family. It’s the only way not to exhaust yourself.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:46 We don’t want to talk about the battle at home 03:04 Figuring out how to deal with your family issues 06:44 Your health bar gets depleted not just at work 09:14 You assume everybody is doing fine 11:40 First, figure out stuff at home 16:30 Be deliberate in saying you got stuff to do at home 20:13 You can’t be all of an

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about how comparison kills progress. Notice that you are often bound to fail when you start comparing your progress to your competition. What you can do to not fall into this trap is to go back to your goals. Recalibrate yourself, shut every possible distraction down, and focus on what you have envisioned to achieve. You can’t go astray when you know where you want to go.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:09 Is it possible to get ahead with your Startup? 03:32 They’re just ideas  07:03 We are bound by the same progression scale 10:20 Calibrating toward broken measurements 14:20 We assume that the outcome is guaranteed if WE just performed 22:11 The comparison kills the progress 28:05 Go back to what your goals are

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about discarding the 40-hour work week. If you work for 30 hours each week, what would you worry you won’t get done? Now, if you won’t sit eight hours in the office, what will you be able to accomplish? Can you possibly do more somewhere more comfortable than in your office? The answer? YES! You can accomplish so much more without the time constraints.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:08 The 40-hour work week concept 05:19 It only works when you work less hours 09:56 Project costing is super complicated 16:41 Reliance on each other as part of the total outcome 20:03 Is 40-hours the standard work week? 25:25 What hours are we trying to pay for? 31:23 Productivity is treated as an individual effort 37:48 A 40-hour work week doesn’t align with everybo

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about what happiness means for a founder. In most cases, founders find happiness when they feel safe, when their efforts are validated, and when people appreciate their accomplishments. It doesn’t require much, yet the effort put forth to achieve happiness is basically blood, sweat, tears, and years of hard work.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to therapy@startups.com  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:29 What does it take to be happy as a founder? 06:47 When you don’t feel safe, it’s hard to behave rationally 11:00 Safety is knowing that you can whether the next storm 15:19 Why do founders always seek validation? 22:22 The next struggle is the preamble to the next validation 25:24 Feeling proud of what you do 32:30 Appreciating people’s accomplishments   36:22 When you feel safe, you can thrive 37:25 Can