Startup Therapy Startups.com

In this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter talk about the common misconception around 'working hard' within startups. They question the measurement of hard work, arguing that effort does not necessarily equate to progress or beneficial outcomes. The need for clear benchmarks within organizations to truly reward and recognize valuable contributions. 
Additionally, they challenge the notion of what constitutes as 'hard work' and the danger of equating all effort with success, proposing a more nuanced understanding that could lead to more effective and rewarding startup cultures.
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Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/
Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/
What to Listen For00:17 The Misconception of Hard Work in Startup Culture02:49 Real Value of Hard Work in Startups04:29 The Effort vs. Progress Dilemma 06:40 Effort, Progress, and Reward10:22  Learning from Effort and Reward15:46 The Misconception of Effort vs. Outcome17:36 Setting Expectations Across Management Levels19:30 The Importance of Measurable Outcomes28:31 Setting the Right Expectations and Rewards

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the evolution of startups from the emphasis on scaling and headcount to prioritizing efficiency and output, largely due to advancements in AI. The challenges of the past, such as massive payrolls, investor dependency, and expensive infrastructures highlighting the opportunities AI technologies present for startups. 
The conversation covers the changing landscape where small operations can achieve significant impact without the traditional costs, through examples like remote work, AI-driven efficiencies, and low-cost internet companies. They advocate for a shift in mindset where success isn't measured by headcount or office size, but by the value created with minimal resources. 
Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletter
Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/
Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/
What to Listen For00:00 The Evolution of Startups: From Headcount to Efficiency01:29 AI and the Future of Work: A New Paradigm05:14 The Unprecedented Scale and Speed of AI Adoption07:14 AI's Impact on Staffing and Efficiency09:39 The Ethical Debate: AI and Job Creation vs. Job Displacement13:17 AI's Role in Democratizing Entrepreneurship16:00 Historical Shifts in Startup Dynamics: From Match.com to AI18:41 The Evolution of Startup Funding19:33 The Dramatic Shift in Startup Economics20:42 The Rise of Bootstrapping and Ownership Retention21:24 Case Study: Plenty of Fish's Revolutionary Approach24:32 The Future of Startup Costs and Ownership31:55 Embracing Efficiency and Impact in Startups33:48 A New Era of Startup Valuation and Efficiency

In this episode of the startup therapy podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter delve into bootstrapping a startup. They address common misconceptions about funding, emphasizing the importance of making do with what you have and prioritizing what's truly necessary for business growth. The conversation covers practical ways to manage expenses without external funding, including strategies for hiring, marketing, and managing operational costs through discipline and creative solutions. 

The hosts share personal experience on how to navigate the challenges of bootstrapping, highlighting the importance of being resourceful, making money to spend money, and avoiding typical startup traps. 

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Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast https://groups.startups.com/Join our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan00:00 Welcome to Startup Therapy
00:08 The Realities of Bootstrapping
01:35 Navigating the Bootstrapping Journey
04:50 Mastering the Art of Compensation in Bootstrapping
22:00 Innovative Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
26:50 Leveraging Vendor Terms and Historical Examples
28:18 The Power of Deferred Payments in Business Growth
33:20 Strategic Use of Credit Cards for Business Expenses
42:20 The Path to Efficient Startup Growth

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the complexities of handling feedback from investors, emphasizing the critical need for founders to properly qualify and assess the advice they receive. They highlight the dangers of acting on feedback without considering its relevance, potential bias, and the investor's qualifications. The discussion covers the spectrum of investor types, from well-meaning but inexperienced individuals to top-tier venture capitalists, and the importance of understanding the context and motivation behind their advice. 

You will find how to advocate for a balanced approach that involves questioning, verifying, and thoughtfully considering advice before taking action.
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Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast https://groups.startups.com/Join our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

In today's Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talks about why earning atleast $10,000 per month is one of the most important milestones in your startup career. They stress the need to do whatever it takes to keep your business alive. Hitting this milestone gives you room to handle setbacks and shows that you're making real progress. Tune in for tips on managing startup finances and staying resilient in the ever-changing business world.

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Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/beginJoin our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan
What to Listen For
00:00 Intro01:08 The most important milestones in your business06:20 Everybody’s number is different10:27 The existential costs of both a business and its founders12:28 Do whatever it takes to reach the basic milestone16:12 Your startups should survive restarts19:50 The importance of having a backstop24:45 Maybe it’s not your year26:05 Finding value in small milestones

In today's Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talks about why investors choose to invest on “failed” founders. They debunk the myth that failure marks the end of a founder's journey and shows why giving people a second chance is the best investment. Tune in as they explore the investor mindset, focusing on why they prefer to invest in founders who have shown they can bounce back and learn from failure, ultimately changing how we think about startup success.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/beginJoin our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan
What to Listen For
00:00 Intro01:03 Why giving people a second chance is the best investment02:29 Redefining failure04:59 “One failure doesn’t make the person a failure…”09:30 If you’re making mistakes, you’re also learning10:05 Spotlight on failure13:59 The value of experience16:49 Before the failure, there was a success20:33 Trust and familiarity in investor-founder relationships23:21 Challenge of investor decision-making27:14 Focusing on building relationships30:42 Investing in the founder’s mindset rather than ideas