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Eleni Miltsakaki
I have built a new engine that evaluates web content for schools. I have hired developers and the engine is ready. Before I go out for serious funding, though, I need to find a CEO for the start up. It's hard. I need someone who understands technology and internet but also the education/school market. Any ideas where to look?
Justin Goldman:
Eleni, are you full time on this business? If you are, then I highly recommend focusing on the Customer Development methodology by Steve Blank. ...MoreEleni, are you full time on this business? If you are, then I highly recommend focusing on the Customer Development methodology by Steve Blank. As you'll learn, start ups don't need CEO's. Your job as the founder is strictly "search for a repeatable and scalable business model." During that search you'll likely pivot several times. Once you find it, then you can start thinking about building a team which would include a CEO. Until then, there is no CEO, just a Customer Development Team and a Product Development team..... Here is a great post by Steve on raising capital: http://steveblank.com/2009/11/05/raising-money-with-customer-development/ and here is his keynote speech at last week's start up lessons learned conference: http://www.justin.tv/startuplessonslearned/b/262670582
108 weeks ago
108 weeks ago
Eleni Miltsakaki:
@Justin Goldman: Thank you for much for the pointers. Very useful advice. I know this comes late but I didn't get a notification of your post.
62 weeks ago
62 weeks ago
Courtney Modecki
As an entrepreneur, how have you handled your accounting needs? I recently started a small, part-time business and am unsure about the best way to keep track of income and expenses. I am wary to spend a lot of money on software as there is a possibility the business will not last beyond the summer. Any tips on free shareware out there? What programs do you like and why?
Anna Raddatz:
As a bookkeeper, I say hire a bookkeeper! So many of my clients tried to do their books themselves, and ended up having to hire someone to re-do ...MoreAs a bookkeeper, I say hire a bookkeeper! So many of my clients tried to do their books themselves, and ended up having to hire someone to re-do the whole thing - which is much more expensive in the long run. At least find someone who can help you set up the system and teach you how to use it.
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Melissa Breau:
@Anna - would you be interested in sharing some tips for an article on my blog? I've been thinking for a while now about doing a post on the ...More@Anna - would you be interested in sharing some tips for an article on my blog? I've been thinking for a while now about doing a post on the financial side of freelancing and all that that entails - I became your fan - please dm me or email me mbreau (at) jargonwriter.com if you're interested.
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Elizabeth Williams
I launched my professional photography career (as a freelancer) in March, but I'm already starting to daydream about the day I can open my own studio. Unfortunately, I'm an artist, not an MBA, so my idea of a business model is something like this:
1. Get the Money
2. Get the Power
3. Get the Men (optional)
To accomplish the first step, I will:
a. Build Website
b. ?
c. Profit
It's better than GOB Bluth's idea of a business model, but still. Where does one start? What does one need?
Sadya Siddiqui recommended this
David Brown:
Something that helped me was SCORE
MoreSomething that helped me was SCORE
http://www.seattlescore.org/default.aspx
This organization was a great help. I am sure there is something similar near you.
D
101 weeks ago
MoreSomething that helped me was SCORE
http://www.seattlescore.org/default.aspx
This organization was a great help. I am sure there is something similar near you.
D
101 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
Want to be an entrepreneur? Drop out of college - so says the co-founder of Flickr and Hunch (http://bit.ly/dlJbx1) I think that's mostly a myth and only works for very few people. I like RWW's take on this better (http://bit.ly/aURudm). What do you think the role of education is in entrepreneurship?
108 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Upstarts!, Brazen Undergrads and Education2 more
kathleen fasanella:
I humbly suggest the framing of this discussion amounts to a fundamental attribution error. It has nothing to do with optimizing your start up by ...MoreI humbly suggest the framing of this discussion amounts to a fundamental attribution error. It has nothing to do with optimizing your start up by dropping out. It's that you need to drop out because you're so consumed with your project that education becomes an extraneous time sink by comparison. Think I'm wrong? Substitute "relationship", "job" or "socializing/leisure activities" for "education". Dropping out should not be (yet another) strategy or tool that optimizes creation of a great business. Dropping out is a CONSEQUENCE of some successful businesses but they are not the cause of them. If you're passionate and wholly consumed with your project, you'll get rid of whatever time sinks there are in your life.
Likewise, finishing your degree is no guarantee either. Sure, you get some strokes for perseverance and meeting a socially esteemed barre but no one owes you anything. A degree is not a free pass. Especially now, getting a degree today is equivalent to finishing high school 30 years ago. It's rote. The only thing that getting a degree in four years says to me is that you had the foresight to pick good parents who could fund it. Unless your degree is in something intellectually rigorous (and I don't mean B-school), it says nothing about you.
And fwiw, I dropped out twice. First high school and then college. I LOVED college and was pasionate about it, I could have stayed there forever except I picked crappy parents. I had zero, zip interest in starting a business. But, came such a time that I had no choice. I am passionate about my industry so my choices were to leave it and do something else or become self employed. I never expected to succeed at it and I take little pride in being my own boss but it's worked out for 15 years now with no sign of abating. Now I can't imagine any other way.
106 weeks ago
Likewise, finishing your degree is no guarantee either. Sure, you get some strokes for perseverance and meeting a socially esteemed barre but no one owes you anything. A degree is not a free pass. Especially now, getting a degree today is equivalent to finishing high school 30 years ago. It's rote. The only thing that getting a degree in four years says to me is that you had the foresight to pick good parents who could fund it. Unless your degree is in something intellectually rigorous (and I don't mean B-school), it says nothing about you.
And fwiw, I dropped out twice. First high school and then college. I LOVED college and was pasionate about it, I could have stayed there forever except I picked crappy parents. I had zero, zip interest in starting a business. But, came such a time that I had no choice. I am passionate about my industry so my choices were to leave it and do something else or become self employed. I never expected to succeed at it and I take little pride in being my own boss but it's worked out for 15 years now with no sign of abating. Now I can't imagine any other way.
106 weeks ago
Justin Goldman
Anyone else see this keynote by Steve Blank at the Start Up Lessons Learned conference last week? http://www.justin.tv/startuplessonslearned/b/262670582 - Anyone else in the group read Steve's book, 4 steps to the epiphany? I've become obsessed with his customer development methodology and can attribute a lot of our recent success to it....
Ryan Healy and Nelly Tonchev recommended this
Tariq West:
Great book. I took Steve's High Tech Entrepreneurship course co-taught w/ Tom Kosnik a few years ago. Had dinner w/ Tom the other night and was ...MoreGreat book. I took Steve's High Tech Entrepreneurship course co-taught w/ Tom Kosnik a few years ago. Had dinner w/ Tom the other night and was reminded to re-read the book.
107 weeks ago
107 weeks ago
Justin Mares
I am a college sophomore studying marketing and finance at the University of Pittsburgh. I am interested in working with entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups this summer in order to gain some experience. If anyone is interested in working with me please send me an email. I am located in the Philadelphia area. If not interested but have other suggestions as to how I can gain experience working with entrepreneurs, please let me know. Thanks!
Ryan Healy recommended this
Justin Mares:
I would like to do something with internet marketing. I really have no experience but am more than willing to learn and gain experience as I work ...MoreI would like to do something with internet marketing. I really have no experience but am more than willing to learn and gain experience as I work with someone. I would like to get an understanding of what skills I should learn in order to be a successful entrepreneur, as well as start to develop a personal network.
116 weeks ago
116 weeks ago
Jason Drohn:
Listen - why don't you email me at jason@dro.hn and I'll see if I can set you up with something ...MoreListen - why don't you email me at jason@dro.hn and I'll see if I can set you up with something interesting...
116 weeks ago
116 weeks ago
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