Startup Therapy

Startups.com
Startup Therapy

The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.

  1. HÁ 3 DIAS

    Are Startups Easier for Experienced Founders?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will debunk the myth that each startup venture becomes progressively easier with experience. They explore the truths and fallacies surrounding repeat entrepreneurship, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their extensive history of building and acquiring startups. Discussing expectation management, the double-edged sword of experience, and the harsh realities of repeating past mistakes, Ryan and Will emphasize that while experience offers certain advantages, it does not guarantee success in new ventures. They also highlight the emotional resilience required to endure the cyclical nature of startup challenges and the ever-present difficulties of achieving product-market fit and successful marketing, regardless of prior victories. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletter Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn   / startups-co   Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter  / wilschroter  Ryan Rutan  / ryan-rutan   What to listen for:00:15 Debunking the Myth of Easier Startups01:27 The Double-Edged Sword of Experience02:32 Drawing from Multiple Experience Buckets05:15 Expectation Management in Startups09:39 Avoiding Duplicate Mistakes13:01 Raising Capital: Lessons Learned15:16 The Value of Experience in Decision Making17:07 The Reality of Investor Promises17:17 Understanding People: A Founder's Key Skill18:38 Emotional Maturity in Leadership20:00 Challenges That Never Get Easier21:57 The Ever-Changing Landscape of Product Market Fit25:39 Marketing Struggles for Experienced Founders27:40 The Pain of Failure: It Never Gets Easier31:30 The Value of Experience and the Role of Luck32:38 Join the Startups.com Community

    33min
  2. 28 DE OUT.

    Who's Working for Who?

    Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the intricate and often misunderstood relationship between founders and their startups. They tackle the question of whether the founder works for the startup or vice versa, challenging common perceptions shaped by societal views and political discourse. The hosts discuss the unspoken 'contract' entrepreneurs form with themselves, the inevitable trade-offs of startup leadership, and the sacrifices founders make for their companies. They emphasize the emotional and financial tolls on founders, the discrepancies in founder-employee dynamics, and the need for startups to stay aligned with the founder's original mission. This episode stresses the importance of maintaining control and balancing personal goals with the demands of the startup ecosystem. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletter Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn   / startups-co   Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter  / wilschroter  Ryan Rutan  / ryan-rutan   What to listen for00:35 The Founder vs. Startup Dilemma00:51 Political and Economic Perspectives01:40 The Reality of Founders' Lives03:00 The Initial Contract of Founders05:11 The Shift in Founders' Roles06:15 The Permanent Struggle of Founders07:43 Revisiting the Founders' Goals10:34 The Reality Check15:30 The Investor's Impact15:44 The New Boss: Investors and Liabilities16:49 The Pain of Payroll: Sacrificing Founder Salaries19:10 Credit Cards and Cash Flow: Desperate Measures21:20 The Founder’s Dilemma: Sacrifice and Equity23:42 The Reality of Startup Success: Rare and Elusive28:28 The Emotional Toll: Identity and Relationships31:49 Conclusion: Building a Startup That Works for You

    32min
  3. 21 DE OUT.

    Let's Get Back to Our WHY

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the vital importance of maintaining a startup's foundational 'why' – the core reason for its existence. They discuss the excitement and clarity that founders experience in the early stages, the operational challenges that can cause them to lose sight of their mission over time, and practical strategies for rekindling that original passion. Through personal anecdotes and examples of companies like Apple and Google, the hosts underscore how minor compromises can erode a company's core mission. They emphasize the need for founders to continuously revisit and reinforce their original motivations to ensure sustained passion and purpose. Listeners will gain insights on recognizing when they've deviated from their vision, the benefits of realigning with the 'why', and actionable steps to recenter their focus, all while maintaining clarity and engagement within their teams. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletter Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn   / startups-co   Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter  / wilschroter  Ryan Rutan  / ryan-rutan   What to listen for00:29 The Importance of 'Why' in Startups03:17 Losing Sight of the 'Why'05:24 Diagnosing the Loss of 'Why'09:21 The Impact of Compromises15:56 Tiny Compromises Lead to Major Changes18:48 The Slippery Slope of Compromises19:50 Losing Sight of the 'Why'20:50 Rediscovering the Purpose22:12 The Importance of Remembering the 'Why'24:30 Practical Steps to Reconnect with the 'Why'30:55 Identifying and Correcting Misalignments35:36 The Constant Battle to Maintain the 'Why'

    37min
  4. 16 DE SET.

    Should Kids Follow in our Founder Footsteps?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will explore the complexities of encouraging their children to become entrepreneurs. With nearly 300 episodes discussing the founder's journey, they delve into whether they'd want their kids to follow the same path. They recount personal experiences, weigh the pros and cons, and discuss the importance of allowing their children to make their own decisions. The episode emphasizes providing the tools and support to foster independent choices rather than directing them towards entrepreneurship. 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 Introduction: The Founder’s Dilemma00:55 A Proud Yet Conflicted Parent02:27 The Value of Experience05:03 Balancing Passion and Practicality08:10 Nurture vs. Nature in Entrepreneurship09:59 The Role of Education and Constraints16:21 The Reality of Entrepreneurship18:56 Reflecting on Founders' Struggles19:39 Balancing Optimism and Realism in Entrepreneurship19:59 The Timeless Nature of Startup Challenges21:31 Empathy and the Reality of Startup Therapy23:10 The Impact of Parental Influence on Career Choices25:23 Encouraging Authenticity in Children's Career Paths30:12 Empowering Kids to Make Their Own Decisions35:07 Final Thoughts on Raising Future Founders

    36min
  5. 10 DE SET.

    The Evolution of Entry Level Workers

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss the evolving landscape of entry-level hiring for startups. They dive into why U.S. college graduates have fallen to the fourth pick for entry-level positions, overtaken by AI, global talent, and experienced young professionals who leverage new tools and platforms to gain relevant skills. They explore the benefits of each hiring option, debunk common misconceptions about global talent, and outline how these changes empower startups to make smarter, more economical hiring decisions. The discussion offers valuable insights for startup founders navigating the challenges of building efficient teams under tight budgets. 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 Introduction: The Changing Landscape of Entry-Level Talent01:26 The Rise of AI in Startups03:48 Global Talent: A New Frontier07:30 Young and Hungry: The New Entry-Level10:19 Challenges and Opportunities for College Grads15:57 Resource Allocation in Startups24:06 Stop Guessing and Get the Answers24:16 The Global Talent Pool Advantage25:15 Quality Concerns and Misconceptions27:21 Parallel Validation in Startups32:51 The Rise of Young and Hungry Talent35:51 Evolving Job Market Expectations39:50 The Changing Landscape of Hiring45:20 Conclusion: Embrace the New Opportunities

    47min
  6. 2 DE SET.

    Assume Everyone Will Leave in Year One

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges of managing early-stage startup teams, particularly the high likelihood of turnover and the risks of handing out equity prematurely. They talk about the emotional toll of losing key team members and offer practical advice on creating vesting schedules and setting realistic expectations to safeguard against these common pitfalls. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of initial hires, the importance of flexibility, and the need to balance passion with practical considerations in team building. 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 Introduction to Startup Challenges00:09 The Reality of Early Startup Teams01:25 Startup Weekend Insights02:38 The First Love Analogy03:44 The Commitment Dilemma04:24 Life Happens: Unplanned Disruptions12:02 The Fragility of Equity-Based Compensation13:45 Long-Term Team Dynamics15:32 Understanding the Nature of Turnover17:44 The Emotional Impact of Employee Departure18:52 The Reality of Passion and Commitment27:20 Equity Distribution and Vesting Schedules31:50 Preparing for Inevitable Change

    33min
  7. 26 DE AGO.

    Was Mortgaging My Life Worth it?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter delve into the sacrifices that come with building startup companies. They explore the dangerous ambiguity of not having specific goals and timelines, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the costly trade-offs. Will reflects on his milestone birthday and the realization that 'later' never seems to arrive, sparking a discussion about the true worth of deferred happiness and success. The conversation underscores the importance of quantifying goals and ensuring that sacrifices made today lead to genuinely rewarding outcomes. They emphasize that the journey must be carefully balanced with immediate gratification to avoid a future riddled with regret. Through vivid storytelling, they highlight the crucial lessons for founders on how to navigate the complex landscape of ambition, sacrifice, and personal fulfillment. 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 for 00:21 The Danger of Vague Goals 00:57 Personal Reflections on Sacrifice 02:16 Quantifying Sacrifices and Rewards 04:03 The Reality of Sacrifice 05:27 Anecdotes of Sacrifice 15:08 The Moment of Truth 18:04 The Grand Experiment in Beverly Hills 18:36 The Struggles of Finding a Home in LA 19:07 Realizing the Cost of Living in Bel Air 20:34 Questioning the Move: A Moment of Clarity 23:10 The Decision to Return to Columbus 23:21 Reflecting on Sacrifices and Rewards 25:42 The Founder's Paradox: Happiness vs. Sacrifice 28:31 The Reality of Achieving Success 35:27 Balancing Sacrifice and Returns

    38min
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Sobre

The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.

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