Heard this from two different sources: Non-technical aspiring founders: It’s best to learn how to build a product yourself; next best is at least learn how to define product specs really tight, so that other people can build it for you. Continue reading Learn Tech
In December 2009, I was in Paris. One day it snowed a good amount (a rarity in Paris) and the whole city was in gridlock. People in our group started complaining as we couldn’t get a taxi. Some people even said (seeing all those empty seats in the cars that weren’t moving anywhere) what if … Continue reading Some People Act
Overheard from someone who worked at a startup incubated in a venture studio founded by a successful well-known figure (let’s call him Mike): It’s a cautionary tale for strong/famous but absent leaders. You should either live in the trenches together with your team from beginning to end, or trust the team completely and get the … Continue reading Lead Or Get Out Of The Way
Our family has recently seen some tragic, distressing events happening with other families we know. Without too much details, one family witnessed a family loss by suicide, and another family is in deep financial trouble. One common aspect we could see: someone was in deep trouble but didn’t seek help from others. They were strong-willed … Continue reading Learn To Ask For Help
Marketing can only accelerate the sales of a product or a service that’s so good that it’s bound to sell anyway. Marketing is like oxygen – it can make the flame bigger but can’t start the fire in and of itself. “We failed because we couldn’t secure a bigger marketing budget” is the biggest lie … Continue reading Startup Marketing
January 10, 2024 must have been an ordinary day for most people, but it was a special day for football. Nick Saban, Bill Belichick, and Pete Carroll – legendary coaches – all left their long-held positions, within a 24 hour span. Per the ESPN article (link in comment), the three coaches’ careers have been intertwined … Continue reading It’s A Small Circle At The Top
New business opportunities can be born when new jobs are born. Job titles like product manager, UX designer, customer success agent, video game streamer, or prompt engineer, haven’t always existed. They’re relatively new. But today there are successful SaaS products and unicorn companies focused on serving these professionals. What new jobs are being born today … Continue reading New Jobs and New Opportunities
Know a company that’s a potential acquirer of your company? Be friendly by all means, but don’t be friends with them. Companies don’t acquire friends. Companies acquire other companies that might jeopardize their future one day. Continue reading Be Friendly, But Don’t Be A Friend
When all things are ~equal, it’s always the team that wants it more badly that wins the series. The 2004 Boston Red Sox. The 2016 Chicago Cubs. Find the startup version of those teams/founders. They can become the next rocket. Continue reading Who Wants It More Badly
In one of the communities I’m in, people shared their own “life dimensions” framework. These came in all kinds of shapes and colors, but after some analysis, it looks like most/all of them could be summarized into these: Happy and successful life is one that’s balanced in all dimensions. Doesn’t mean one needs to spend … Continue reading Life Dimesions