Startup Therapy

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about going back to an office setting. The idea that more work gets done inside the office is no longer as effective as it used to be. An office setting may not be that substantial anymore for Startups. A lot of businesses are being run remotely and by far, they are progressing well.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:28 What happens when we return to our offices? 04:15 In current times, is an office really necessary? 08:47 Myth: We need an office to build culture 15:59 An office is the least likely way to build friendships 23:37 Myth: We need an office to get work done 27:20 Office equals work is no longer true 30:36 Slack and other project management tools can make collaborations happen 35:25 Collaboration versus coordination

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the notion that your current success will be the same for every Startup you build. While you’re in the momentum and when new ideas come in, you’re most likely tempted to venture into another Startup. Right? But, take a pause there and consider the odds of your success.  Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:25 The notion that your current success will be lifetime 04:59 We think about our startup success the way people tend to think about career success 08:05 Sometimes, founders are just done and want to sell fast 14:36 We optimize for cost and revenue over time but unwilling to invest time when it’s over 18:28 We love to assume the outcome in that next hand and just carry forward 22:56 Stick around and work on every angle to achieve exponential lift

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about founders allowing open discussion of socio-political issues inside the workplace. Over the years, societal and political issues are topics that can either encourage healthy discussions and debates within the team or instigate friction and divide within the company. The question is, HOW do we talk about these issues? Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:25 Socio-political issues in a workplace 03:02 It’s important how and where we talk about these issues 05:55 Areas where we can start to have more productive conversations 10:51 Focus has a cost and it’s not that simple 14:44 Some socio-political issues are directly impacting people’s focus 11:39 18:03 Not all founders really care about other people’s issues outside of work 20:28 There are a lot of p

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan ask, is it too early to get an advisor? Many Startup companies invest in an advisor to tap into connections that can possibly help raise additional capital. Yet, this investment does not promise successful returns because some introductions don’t end with the results founders are hoping for. The anticipated business meetings are never set.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:28 How often were you asked to be a business advisor? 03:55 What's the guarantee that they want to know you? 07:08 If getting an advisor is just for raising the capital 09:31 One-sided conversations: what’s the biggest thing you can have getting an advisor 12:10 What if you make the introductions and nothing comes of it? 16:18 Ponder first if it’s the right time to invest in an investor 1

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about at what cost Startups are built on. What people often see is it’s all about raising money and getting external financial support, that additional funds are more than enough to keep the business going. But what people don’t see is the physical, mental, and emotional health that are being spent alongside a bloating debt. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:24 The true currency spent when building a Startup 05:10 What are the personal costs for the founders? 09:05 Raising more money doesn’t make things any easier 19:31 Our Startups pull our health on different directions 23:58 Founders slowly lose connection with close relationships 29:00 Are you doing better than before you started your business? 33:13 If you’re well-being is failing, your Startup s

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about imaginary debt. A lot of founders are tied to this idea that employees will commit the same level of sacrifice as they would for the company. And that people will appreciate what they do and stick around no matter what happens. But it’s all an illusion. No one can actually match a founder’s willingness to sacrifice everything for the Startup. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:48 When you feel indebted to the people in your team 06:26 Your team’s sacrifice is exponentially different from yours 09:43 Everyone else is going to be looking out for themselves 13:23 Founders find it difficult to get out of unhealthy situations 17:26 There is a point at which feeling indebted has a limit 20:28 No one actually takes care of the founders 25:27 The endless

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the most dreaded outcome - a failing Startup. When a business fails, founders often wallow over how people react and what they can say about the situation. The adverse reactions don’t matter. What should matter is who stays to help pull you out of the rubble.  Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:19 Understanding how founders feel when a Startup fails 05:44 When you can’t deal with how people will process the failure 10:22 The Steve Jobs interview and dealing with criticisms 12:05 Do the people you’re concerned about actually have a voice in the situation? 17:14 Only founders who failed can sympathize with you 21:47 Surround yourself with people who knows what you’re going through 25:45 As a founder, how do you reach out? 29:58 When one founder is

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the pressures of leading a Startup team. It’s a Founder’s job to make difficult and unpopular decisions, even unconventional ones, which may merit the team's unfavorable reactions. Over time, these unpopular decisions make a Founder less likable. So then, at what point will being likable still matter?Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:30 As we lead, how important is it that we're liked? 05:29 Making fundamentally unpopular decisions to grow 11:56 When we’re starting, we build good relationships with people 16:00 You’re a cool boss but you aren’t invited in team lunches 19:23 The expectation for you to say ‘Yes’ all the time 21:47 What about when decisions don’t map back to you? 23:23 Even if you aren’t liked, you have to be respected 28:39 Everyo

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about admitting you made a mistake. Oftentimes, it becomes difficult for leaders, including founders to admit that they’ve made the wrong decision or chose the wrong option. It’s the kind of vulnerability that no one wants to show. But if leaders can’t admit that they are wrong, no one else in the organization will.  Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources: Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/begin Join our Network of Top Founders  Send an email to [email protected]  What to Listen For 00:00 Intro 00:09 Founders fundamentally mess up and that’s okay 04:54 The longer you admit that something’s wrong, the worse it gets 10:32 COVID pushed organizations to strategically respond to the situation 16:26 Make people understand why you made a mistake 20:49 If founders can’t admit that “I messed up”, no one else will 23:25 When something goes wrong, it matters how you talk about it 28:23 Vulnerability comes wit

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the qualifications of becoming a founder. It turns out; anyone can become a founder. Having the idea and vision for your Startup is easy, but building a business out of nothing, dealing with potential issues and challenges, and getting started aren’t as easy.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about selling a founder’s vision. The real struggle lies in convincing people that your vision, your idea can solve an existing problem. Startups often fail when the customers who are supposed to benefit from the product do not understand how it can serve their needs.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about planning for a downside strategy. Having a downside strategy allows for open conversations to conclude effective upside plans and address issues level-headedly. It’s a clear and sound path for founders to clean up a failing Startup.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the correlation between money and happiness. Being successful and having a lot of money doesn’t equate to genuine happiness. More often than not, it’s a fleeting distraction from other issues that require attention. Money can only give you exhilarating yet passing moments.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan about finding the right cofounder. It remains a challenge for Startup founders to find a business partner that doesn’t just have the best ideas, both should also see eye to eye when it comes to company growth and career goals.

In this Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan ask how much is too much when it comes to Founder transparency? Why many inner workings of your company should be on a need-to-know basis, how being a leader can mean holding your emotional cards close to your chest, and when being completely open can be too much.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the disadvantages of having wealth. People are drawn to Founders who are successful, who have money to spare. Most of the time, people, including family, expect you to settle their financial issues just because you have the money. It reaches a point where you’re expected to spend your money and not expect anything in return. The toxicity is just too much when it happens too often.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about commitment. There is a limit to the expectation you can set on others, and that your passion and commitment may not be as intense for the rest of your team. There are certain aspects of your Startup that you’ve got to shoulder on your own. After all, a founder’s superpower is the intensity of his commitment.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the ugly truth about comparing your success to other businesses. When founders meet, the first person to speak often sets the tone of the conversation; many don’t even want to dig deep into the hardships one must endure to attain success. And is money the only metric for growth?

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about getting rich without selling your business. They discuss how getting too focused on getting rich causes missed opportunities, is selling your Startup necessary, the cash stacking effect, and spending money you haven’t earned yet.

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about getting through a Startup failure. While your mind can make it seem bigger than it is, most people won’t remember when a business shuts down, and that processing your emotions include assessing your failure to get back up!