Idea to Startup

Latest Episodes:

How to Build Trust in Six Seconds (Thrust + Drag Part 2, feat. an elephant and the bus stop exercise) Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll finish up on Thrust and Drag. This time, we'll talk about building trust with your customer in six seconds - creating thrust that'll buy you another six seconds, and another after that. There's art and science to getting people's attention in such a short period of time, and we'll talk through both.

Thrust and Drag Part 1: A System to Keep Momentum Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

Today we'll talk about thrust and drag, the components of momentum. Momentum is the lifeblood for startups, but most people leave it to chance. By focusing on the inputs of momentum - thrust and drag - you can build systems to ensure you keep moving forward. Gaps kill startups. This system removes them.

Email team@gettacklebox.com with "Uncomfy" in the subject to be invited to Uncomfy Hour
Tacklebox
Song where Taylor Swift burns Jake Gyllenhall

What if the problem you're solving isn't "painful" or "urgent"? What if it's just something you think people will want? Should you still pursue it? (feat. Linguini) Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll hit on the most asked question in our now functional podcast question submission list. What if the thing you're building isn't solving a bleeding neck problem? What if it's just something you think people will want? Something that'll improve their life, but not something they loose sleep over? Should you still pursue it? How?
We'll talk through Linguini, Yeti, gross margins and status level jumps and land on the answer - is that type of business worth your time?

Uncomfy hour - email "team@gettacklebox.com" with "uncomfy" in subject
Tacklebox
The Clam

How to Create Useful Content (feat. the "creating content by not creating any content" method) Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll talk about content. Two of the most asked questions we get are "should I create content?" and "if I should... what the heck should I say?"
Creating content feels daunting until you realize the best way to create content is to not create content. We go through how to do that, leaning on a few examples and a content generating framework. We also crown the best burrito in NYC.

How to stack risk early, tackle the cold start problem, and compete by understanding incentives with Jareau Wadé Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Today we speak with Jareau Wadé - currently the founder of Batch Processing, previously the co-founder of Balanced (acquired by Stripe), head of growth at Tilt Pro (acquired by Airbnb), and Chief Growth Officer at Finix.
We spoke with Jareau about the early days of Balanced - how they prioritized, gained trust with initial customers, and competed with companies like Stripe and PayPal. Jareau talks through a bunch of different heuristics and models he uses to evaluate risk (stack it early), tackle the cold start problem, synthesize feedback, figure out the technical side of your business early on, and manage the mental side of starting a business.
It's an awesome conversation and you'll take tactics and methods away from it.

Jareau Wadé
Stripe Can't Lose (article on Stripe referenced in the episode)
Batch Processing
Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Is
Tacklebox

15 Min(ish) Skill: Script the Start and End aka How to Consistently Do Uncomfortable Things Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll talk about one very specific method you can use to tackle your hardest, most uncomfortable work.

Three More Ways to Approach Your Business Like a Pro (feat. anti-marketing, Frank Sinatra, and an Uber comedian) Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll dig in on three approaches that separate how pros and amateurs build businesses. We'll talk through how pros leverage existing infrastructure, how they use anti-marketing to build trust with strangers, and how they don't leave luck and serendipity to chance - they orchestrate it. We'll do this with help from stories about Frank Sinatra, a comedian in an Uber, and a founder starting a GMAT course for people looking to score 800 (and for those people only). And, Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms, for some reason.

The Trust to Risk Ratio (feat. Soona + a four-step risk framework) Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll help you get your first customers. We'll do it by learning how to use the trust to risk ratio - a way to identify the big risks that are holding your customer back and shoulder those risks early on to build trust. We talk through risk and trust with Find Your Lobster, Soona, and a finicky water pump.

Two Ways to Approach Your Startup Idea Like A Pro (feat. an interior designer + Zapier) Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll talk about pros and amateurs. Pros build businesses that have a shot - amateurs never leave the starting gate. Unfortunately, most amateurs don't know they're approaching their idea the wrong way. We talk through two things entrepreneurs can do to give themselves the best chance to build something that matters.

Testing an AI Coaching Tool in a Month (feat. The 5 Startup Idea Non-Negotiables) Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Today, we'll tell the story of an idea a friend of Brian's pursued over the past month. It came about through flashy new tech, but the process shows what's actually valuable.
This is a reps episode. A way to vicariously watch someone else test an early idea so that it's easier for you to do the same.