Founders and Fundraising
How To Turn Your Pitch Deck Into Your Business Plan
I remember the first business plan I wrote like it was yesterday. I had just joined Maxim Integrated Products, and my boss, the late Ziya Boyacigiller, asked me to develop a plan for Maxim’s Voltage Reference business. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] So I set about developing…
Read MoreHow Many People Should You Bring To A Pitch Meeting?
We walked into the big conference room. On one side of the room sat a team of six executives from the company that was going to pitch us this Monday afternoon. We sat on the other side of the table with our backs pointing toward a beautiful view of the Bay Bridge. [Do you want to…
Read MoreWhy Equity Dilution Is Good For Startups
When I started my company, I was obsessed with retaining every percent of equity I could. And I remember telling my mentor and advisor, Dave, about my equity-retention philosophy. Dave looked at me and laughed. Then he said something I’ll always remember, “Brett, dilution is good.” I was shocked. However, Dave was right. In today’s…
Read MoreWhat Is The Hardest Part Of Starting Your Company?
I was scared. I should have been thrilled, but I was scared. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. It was Sunday night, and Monday I would officially begin my journey as an EIR (Entrepreneur in Residence) at a Venture Capital fund based in San Francisco. It was an…
Read MoreThe Ten Things Startup CEOs Need For Success
I’ve built several businesses from zero to over $100 million, and I’ve worked with a lot of CEOs to help them grow their businesses too. Over and over again, the successful CEOs I’ve worked with have been able to master the same set of core skills. That’s what today’s video is all about. I’ll explain:…
Read MoreHow To Answer Five Trick Investor Questions
I’ll never forget it. The second I answered the investor’s question I wanted to take back my answer. I had stepped right into his trap. The worst part was I knew better and I still screwed. I don’t want that to happen to you. That’s why I’ll teach you how to answer the five most…
Read MoreStop Wasting Your Time Looking For Value Added Investors
I remember having a conversation with my Dad when I became an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at a San Francisco based venture capital firm. The VC firm had hired me to build a company, and we were just about ready to start raising money. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help.…
Read MoreWhat Not To Focus On When You’re Starting Your Startup
I thought I was so smart when we were starting our startup. However, for someone who was allegedly smart and experienced, I certainly had a knack of focusing on the wrong things. Sometimes, as I look back, it’s amazing we were able to get the company off the ground. I don’t want you to…
Read MoreThe 5 Signs You’re An Entrepreneur
There’s a great story about how Earl Woods, Tiger Woods father, taught Tiger about how to be cool under pressure. In golf, the audience is supposed to be quiet while a player prepares to hit the golf ball. Earl turned everything upside to teach his young son. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe…
Read MoreHow You Can Succeed As An Over 40 Startup CEO
I was in my 40’s when we raised our initial funding. I was the youngest of my four co-founders. The oldest co-founder was over 60 years old. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. Yet, we were able to raise $12 million in funding. Three years later, with an…
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