How Do You Tell Investors What Your Company Is Worth?
Years ago, when I was an Entrepreneur in Residence at a San Francisco based venture capital fund, Dave, the partner I worked with, and I met with the CEO of a semiconductor company looking for Series B funding. I knew the CEO and I knew the space really well which was why I was in…
What’s The Best Way To Present Your Product Roadmap?
One of the CEOs I am working with sent me a panicked email. The company that he was in an acquisition discussion asked him to present his product roadmap. Fortunately, presenting your product roadmap to investors isn’t as scary as it seems. I’ll show you the steps you need to follow in this short video.…
When Should You Share Your Great Startup Ideas With Others?
You’ve got a great idea for a new startup, and you want to get some feedback. You’re expecting to hear great things, but, instead, the people you share your idea with tell you it will not work, so you give up. Then one year later, you read about someone else that implemented your idea and…
When Should You Give Up On Raising Money?
“Do you want to give up?” My cofounder, “Randy” asked me. I had just completed my Sunday morning run, and we were talking about what to do after a very well known Sand Hill Road Venture Capital fund had just passed on us at the last minute. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe…
How Do You Get Great Talent To Join Your Unfunded Startup?
“Let’s meet for coffee,” I said to person I was recruiting. I’d done this a million times before. If I drank any more coffee, I might overdose on caffeine. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] Let’s meet for coffee. Let’s meet for lunch. Let’s meet for tea. Let’s…
Why You Should Pay Yourself First As A Startup CEO
There’s a myth that you shouldn’t pay yourself anything when you’re just starting out as a startup CEO. I’m going to break that myth in this video. In fact, not only is it bad policy not to pay yourself first, it’s dangerous. I’ll explain why in this short video. Read The Video Transcript Below:…
How Do You Keep Talented Engineers From Quitting?
“Brett, I wanted to let you know I am going to retire,” Dave said to me. “What? Why!” I said getting my bearings. “You can’t retire! You’re too young to retire.” “I don’t want to retire,” Dave said. “But I’m being pushed out by ‘Ted’.” Dave was a cofounder of Maxim. Our revenue was at…
How Technical Do You Need To Be As A Startup CEO?
I’ll never forget my cofounder and VP Engineering, “John”, telling me (and I’m paraphrasing here), “I don’t see what value you bring to the company.” I was focused on the marketing, strategy, and building the company. None of that mattered to John because he saw me as someone that wasn’t technical. But where is it…
What Are The 4 Markets Your Startup Should Avoid?
Not all end markets are created equal. There are some end markets that are downright scary for startups to go after. And there are four end markets that are really tough. I’m not saying you can’t win if you are focused on these end markets, but I am saying that it’s going to be really…
What Are The 6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be An Entrepreneur?
“Hi Brett, it’s Steve. I know it’s been a while since we spoke, but I’d love to catch up with you to bring you up to speed on what we’re doing.” Then the voice message ended. “Well, Steve is persistent,” I said to myself, shaking my head. Steve was an entrepreneur I’d been introduced to…