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. -1 J

    It's really HARD to REPEAT A WIN

    Will and Ryan discuss the dangerous mindset founders can fall into after hitting it big with their startups. They reflect on the story of Peter Chesky, co-founder of Wish, who became a billionaire during the tech IPO boom of early 2021 but saw his net worth plummet as the company's stock tanked. The episode emphasizes the importance of treating any major payout as if it's the last one you'll ever receive. With only a small percentage of startups ever having significant exits, and even fewer doing it repeatedly, Ryan and Will stress why founders should be cautious with their newfound wealth instead of assuming it will keep flowing. 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: 01:01 The Rise and Fall of Wish03:01 Lessons from the Wish IPO05:15 The Psychology of Founders11:52 A Counter Story: Priceline's IPO15:13 Reflecting on High School Memories15:37 The Illusion of Endless Wealth15:51 The Reality of Financial Downturns19:09 Understanding Venture Capital Statistics21:28 The Rarity of Repeat Success24:18 Advice for Founders: Secure Your Wins28:11 The Importance of Financial Safety30:39 Final Thoughts: Keep the Win

    31 min
  2. 24 MARS

    Does LOCATION matter for your startup?

    Ryan and Will discuss the evolution of startup location strategies. They reminisce about the bygone era when relocating to major hubs like San Francisco was essential for success due to access to talent, investors, and networking opportunities. Now, with advancements in remote work, AI, and digital connectivity, these factors have become less relevant. Ryan and Will delve into the changing dynamics of raising capital, building teams, and cultivating networks without needing to uproot one's life to a specific city. 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: 00:39 The Shift in Startup Location Importance 01:46 Reevaluating the Need to Move for Startups 01:58 The Impact of Remote Work and COVID-19 03:51 Debating the Necessity of Moving to San Francisco 06:12 Talent Acquisition in the Remote Work Era 09:23 Financial Considerations and Cost of Living 15:10 The Role of Investors in the New Startup Landscape 17:54 Questioning the Need for Large Engineering Teams 18:21 Capital Requirements and Investor Expectations 19:14 The Evolution of Pre-Seed Rounds 22:27 The Impact of Technology on Investment 23:43 Relocating for Networking Opportunities 27:13 The Shift in Startup Location Necessities 32:03 The Value of Flexibility in Startup Locations 35:59 Conclusion: Startups Can Thrive Anywhere

    37 min
  3. 17 MARS

    Are The Sacrifices Worth It?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, the guys tackle the big question: was the entrepreneurial journey worth it? They discuss the sacrifices, the missed experiences, and the immense pressures that come with being a founder. Will shares a touching story about his daughter's unprompted appreciation for his hard work, leading to a reflection on whether the grinding was worth the outcome. Both hosts also highlight the freedom, flexibility, and the unique sense of achievement they've gained. However, they caution about the inevitable costs and the importance of balancing life and startup aspirations. A must-listen for anyone questioning the value of their entrepreneurial path. 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: 00:49 A Moment of Gratitude 02:42 Was It All Worth It? 06:02 Missed Experiences and College Life 11:00 The Weight of Responsibility 15:12 Habits and Hardships 19:32 Guilt and Work-Life Balance 24:20 The Timeless Nature of Startup Challenges 24:52 The Hidden Costs of Success 25:47 The Value of Sacrifice 26:39 The True Meaning of Freedom 28:04 The Journey to Personal Agency 29:20 The Impact of Entrepreneurship 31:15 The Irony of Wealth and Freedom 35:12 The Cost of Corporate Success 45:44 Balancing Life and Startup

    48 min
  4. 11 MARS

    Are Founders Forged Over Youth?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss how childhood experiences influence the entrepreneurial journey. They explore why many founders' origin stories trace back to their early years and how formative events can plant the seeds of entrepreneurship. Will shares his personal story of selling candy as a child, highlighting moments that taught him vital business skills. The conversation also delves into the importance of agency, the tools needed for entrepreneurial success, and the role of parents in nurturing a child's potential to create their own path. 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: 00:13 Exploring Founder Origin Stories01:51 Will's Childhood Story10:14 The Power of Agency10:53 Teaching Kids About Agency20:54 Personal Reflections on Agency21:22 The Power of Agency and Optimism22:14 Parental Protection vs. Empowerment22:40 Real-Life Stories of Overcoming Adversity24:40 The Magic of Agency in Hardship26:42 Tools for Founders and Kids27:23 Early Lessons in Entrepreneurship34:56 The Importance of Sales Skills42:29 Teaching Kids the Value of Agency43:22 Join the Startups.com Community

    44 min
  5. 3 MARS

    Assets OVER Exits

    In this episode of Startup Therapy, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeter challenge the startup world's focus on big exits and venture capital. They highlight the benefits of cash-flowing businesses, showing how consistent profits can lead to financial security. Using real examples, they explain how making $10K a month can be as powerful as having millions in the bank—emphasizing sustainable growth and long-term success. 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:00:19 The Value of Consistent Cash Flow 01:23 Examples of Profitable Local Businesses 03:37 The Misconception of Startup Exits 03:49 Real-Life Stories of Successful Small Businesses 06:16 The Broken Narrative of Startup Wealth 07:26 Reevaluating Business Success Metrics 09:05 The True Value of a Profitable Business 09:38 Calculating the Financial Impact 13:20 The Reality of Business Exits 18:09 Replacement Value vs. Exit Value 19:14 The Value of Experience and Pre-existing Solutions 19:39 Cash vs. Business Value: A Deep Dive 20:21 Real-life Examples of Business Growth 23:34 Risks and Rewards of Running a Business 27:12 The Importance of Consistent Earnings 34:54 Long-term Value and Compounding Effects

    40 min
  6. 24 FÉVR.

    You Only Have to Be Right Once

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, Ryan and Will chat about how startup success isn’t always a straight path. They use Mark Cuban’s story as a prime example, showing why sticking it out for the long run is so important—because success can happen at any time in a founder’s career. They also talk about how those early small wins can build up to something bigger and why setting strict timelines for success doesn’t really make sense. At the end of the day, one big right moment in a 50-year career can be a total game-changer. 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:00:07 The Reality of Founders' Success 02:00 Mark Cuban's Journey to Billionaire Status 06:35 The Importance of Small Wins 10:15 Financial Stability and Early Success 15:57 The Value of Consistent Small Wins 18:02 Success Doesn't Have a Timeline 18:12 When Does Success Happen? 18:20 Examples of Late Bloomers 18:45 The Myth of Early Success 19:59 The Impact of Timing 20:44 The Internet Era and Young Wealth 21:40 Outliers and Unrealistic Expectations 25:13 Consequences of Chasing Quick Success 27:28 The Value of Longevity in Business 30:02 Unexpected Success Stories 31:46 Staying in the Game 32:36 Join the Startups.com Community

    33 min
  7. 3 FÉVR.

    What Would I do Differently

    In this episode of The Startup Therapy, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the 'what if' scenarios that often preoccupy founders. Will shares personal milestones, showing how taking bigger risks shaped his journey. They discuss the hidden costs of success, the pitfalls of romanticizing alternative outcomes, and the importance of realistic risk assessment. The key takeaway? Embrace risk to avoid the regret of missed opportunities. 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: 00:07 – Reflecting on milestones and 'what ifs'00:44 – The risks and rewards of entrepreneurship04:00 – A hilarious temp job experience07:34 – The reality of alternate paths09:02 – The danger of romanticizing 'what ifs'13:48 – The cost of success15:29 – Building a realistic mental model16:18 – Stop guessing and get real answers16:26 – The cost of staying in a job you hate17:30 – Should you stay or leave?18:10 – The true cost of success19:12 – The hindsight trap: romanticizing outcomes21:56 – Learning from failure and modeling risk22:55 – Zirtual acquisition: a case study in risk28:47 – Surviving failure and moving forward31:35 – Avoiding regret and embracing risk

    33 min
  8. 27 JANV.

    When Can I Afford to GAMBLE?

    In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter dive into an interesting perspective: taking risks in entrepreneurship is actually a luxury, not the norm. They break down what it really costs to take risks, how to figure out your "minimum viable risk pool," and why having a financial cushion is key to surviving setbacks. They share personal stories from their experience at Startups.com, emphasizing the importance of cutting personal and business expenses to stretch your runway and make smarter decisions. This episode is all about helping entrepreneurs understand the financial milestones they need to hit to keep their businesses afloat—and how time plays a big role in navigating risks. This episode is packed with advice for anyone trying to manage the tricky balance of risk and reward in entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn how to take smarter risks and build a solid foundation for your business! 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:00:15 Why Taking Risks Is a Luxury 02:08 Balancing Personal and Business Costs 03:44 Lessons from Startups.com 05:55 Why You Need a Risk Buffer 10:25 Figuring Out the Minimum Viable Risk Pool 16:51 Financial Discipline and Budgeting 19:09 The Freedom Fund Explained 26:51 How to Survive Financial Challenges

    31 min
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125 notes

À propos

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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