Startup Life Show with Ande Lyons

Latest Episodes:

EP 108 Helping Female Founders Gain Meaningful Traction to Scale Their Business Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

Talk is cheap, whereas traction is hard evidence that you’re on the right path. It shows the world your startup is all about consistently growing and acquiring new customers.
Our guest, Alex Batdorf is a 3X entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Get Sh!t Done, the superpower scaling sidekick supporting women entrepreneurs in gaining traction to build scalable companies on their own terms.
To help women founders secure more than 4% of annual business revenues, Alex created the Superpower Scaling School: short, traction-packed online courses teaching you how to gain traction and grow on your own terms.
She also created a 7-Week virtual Traction-Focused Accelerator Program that helps female entrepreneurs building scalable businesses gain and grow traction to put them on a path to building scalable businesses on their own terms.
Alex is the host of The Get Sh!t Done Podcast, where she shares practical steps and tools used by other badass women entrepreneurs.
Prior to founding Get Sh!t Done, Alex was Co-founder & CMO of ZipFit Denim, a venture-backed eCommerce company that was acquired in 2019.
Alex lays down the gems during our passionate conversation!
One of my favorites: a check is not a business model. Stitch that on a pillow!
Alex dives deep into why focusing on traction creates more value for your business and leaves you in the driver's seat when you do go out for funding.
Women make up almost 50% of entrepreneurs and women are only bringing 4% of the total gross revenue produced by US businesses. Take that in. This is why Alex is all about traction and helping women scale their businesses to help create wealth - generational wealth.
Scale does not have to be a billion dollars or an IPO. Scale can be $1 million, $5 million, $100 million. It's subjective and based on what your business model is capable of combined with your needs as a founder.
Women tend to think too small... and Alex' programs are geared to help women think bigger and deliver bigger results.
To learn more about Alex's traction accelerator and online traction courses, please visit:
https://www.shegetsshitdone.com
Please connect with Alex via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-batd...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getshitdone...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexBatdorf
Medium: https://medium.com/@alexbatdorf
Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com
ANDELICIOUS RESOURCES:
For more DIY startup advice, please subscribe to my Newsletter, Let’s Stick Together – because it takes a village to raise a business: http://bit.ly/AndeliciousNewsletter
JOIN STARTUP LIFE LIVE MEETUP GROUP
Get an alert whenever I post a new show!
https://bit.ly/StartupLifeLIVE
STREAMYARD OVERLAYS AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Nicky Pasquier
https://www.virtuosoassistant.co.uk/
Visit Nicky’s CANVA Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Nicky’s Canva Presentation Playlist: http://bit.ly/Canva_Present_Playlist
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EP 107 Personalizing the Job Search Process with a 'Stitch Fix for Careers' Platform Apr 12, 2021

Show notes

The job search journey can be isolating and frustrating.
What if the job search could be “tailor-made” for you, your skillset, your ambitions, your aspirations?
Our guest, Elissa Unton, is the founder and CEO of ArcVida, the “Stitch Fix for Careers” platform providing personalized, technology-enabled career guidance, with full support, to U.S. professionals who are actively seeking their optimal career move.
ArcVida personalizes and guides your job search experience to your specific needs, by first understanding what lights you up, what energizes you, what impact to you want to have in the world, and how do you want to spend your days?
An energetic leader, Elissa brings deep and broad experience in finance, strategy, communications and leadership from small businesses and large corporations to collaboratively solve frustrating business problems.
In 2015, Elissa co-founded the Skid Row Spa – a volunteer advocacy project that resulted in the Refresh Spot, a publicly-funded non-profit 24-hour hygiene center for people living outside in downtown LA.
Elissa shares terrific startup stories and a deep empathy for the founder journey, which you'll find inspirational and comforting.
To learn more about ArcVida, please visit: https://arcvida.com.
Elissa is always happy to provide guidance and answer questions. Please email her at: elissa@arcvida.com.
Follow ArcVida via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arcv...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArcVidaInc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcvida/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ArcVidaCoaching
Book a strategy session: https://calendly.com/elissa-arcvida/c...
Connect with Elissa via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissaunton/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElissainLA
Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com
ANDELICIOUS ADVICE:
For more DIY startup advice, please subscribe to my Newsletter, Let’s Stick Together – because it takes a village to raise a business: http://bit.ly/AndeliciousNewsletter
JOIN STARTUP LIFE LIVE MEETUP GROUP
Get an alert whenever I post a new show!
https://bit.ly/StartupLifeLIVE
STREAMYARD OVERLAYS AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Nicky Pasquier
https://www.virtuosoassistant.co.uk/
Visit Nicky’s CANVA Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
Nicky’s Canva Presentation Playlist: http://bit.ly/Canva_Present_Playlist
GET VIDEO/AUDIO TRANSCRIBED WITH OTTER.AI
https://bit.ly/StartupLifeOtter
CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:
https://andelyons.com
https://twitter.com/AndeLyons
https://www.facebook.com/StartupLifew...

EP 106 Helping Startups Build Systems and Automate Their Business Apr 10, 2021

Show notes

Founders – do you have too many plates spinning in the air? Are you running out of hours in the day and days in the week?
Our guest, Joy Valerie, founder of Build with Joy, is sharing her favorites tips, tools and resources to help you build systems and automate your business to create more time and make more money – woo hoo!
Joy Valerie is a Guatemalan-American Entrepreneur from New York, with a deep expertise in digital strategy, content creation, and online monetization. She’s led the expansions of multiple companies while traveling, side hustling, and creating … all before the age of 30!
Using a fun edutainment style, Joy Valerie breaks down tech, money, and startup hacks so they make sense to the newbie business owner. She can help you build your business operations from the ground up by leveraging digital media and technology, so you can have a startup life that brings you joy.
Grab your Startup Life LIVE Exclusive Build with Joy Manage Your Time Workbook here:
http://bit.ly/ManageYourTimeWorkbook - use discount coupon STARTUPLIFELIVE
To learn more about Joy Valerie's awe*mazing work in the world, please visit: https://buildwithjoy.co/
Sign up for Build with Joy's newsletter here: https://buildwithjoy.co/newsletter
Follow Joy Valerie everywhere she glows:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyvaleri...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BuildwithJoy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyvaleriee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@buildwithjoy
Grab a copy of PROFIT FIRST here: https://amzn.to/39sABtu
Threads App - Google Play for Apple Store - allows you to post on IG from your desktop
Joy Valerie shared outstanding startup hacks to create more time and more money in your life:
00:00 - meet Joy Valerie!
04:30 - how Joy Valerie became a TikTok FAVE and meet Joy Valerie's kitty kitty
11:30 - advice for responding to comments on multiple platforms
15:00 - Joy Valerie's first exposure to entrepreneurship - in the baby carriage!
18:32 - SWITCHEROO Moment! Chemical Engineer turns Archeologist turns Tech Hack Genius!
25:55 - the jobs that uncovered Joy Valerie's hidden gems and how she built Build with Joy
40:00 - Joy Valerie shares how to narrow down what to do first - and her advice creates an Andelicious Moment!
43:30 - how to turn time into your ally, not your enemy
49:00 - how to tackle those elephant-size tasks and tactics -
51:45 - it's all about accountability - Joy Valerie's bootcamp and workshops can be found here: https://learn.buildwithjoy.co/
1:05:05 - Joy Valerie's Stitch That On A Pillow Moment: own your greatness and your awkwardness
Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com
#videochannelforstartups #startuphacks #buildwithjoy
ANDELICIOUS ADVICE:
For more DIY startup advice, please subscribe to my Newsletter, Let’s Stick Together – because it takes a village to raise a business: http://bit.ly/AndeliciousNewsletter
JOIN STARTUP LIFE LIVE MEETUP GROUP
Get an alert whenever I post a new show!
https://bit

EP 105 Building the World’s First Massive Multiplayer Online Workplace Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Why did an MD leave medicine for an EdTech company... that pivoted into a “World of Workplace” virtual platform to help companies and teammates connect, build culture, form communities, and get work done?
Our guest, Vishal (Vish) Punwani, reveals all in this dynamic startup life interview!
Vish is the CEO and co-founder of Sophya, the Harvard Innovation Labs alumnus that powers the leading virtual world (“surreal estate”) used by Fortune 50 companies and startups alike for work, social, community, and events. Sophya was part of the iLab’s inaugural Launch Lab X program in 2018-19.
Vish is also a medical doctor by training and leader in tech startups and AI. He became one of the highest-rated Teaching Fellows at Khan Academy, worked in data/edu at the World Health Organization, and has been an invited speaker at The Radcliffe Institute, MIT, and Harvard Medical School.
Vish is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs, a Mentor at the Oxford University Foundry, and Alumni Advisor at MassChallenge Boston.
During our delicious conversation Vish reveals:
* how his parents' entrepreneurial live prepared him for being a founder
* why the advice from dying patients had him rethink his career in medicine
* how remote work collaboration using a "world of workcraft space" turned his edtech startup into a vibrant, connected team
* the founder support community created from the Harvard Innovation Lab cohort
* the conversation he had with investors when the team pivoted from an edtech startup to a "world of workcraft" startup
* it's not about what people say, it's about what people do... and often the venn diagram of what people say, what people do and what people pay for... never meet.
* the best advice for onboarding talent, including his offer letter clause: glad you've made it this far, but you should turn back now if you want to be comfortable
* Stitch that on a Pillow: You Want People to Punch You in the Face with the Truth
* how he begins each day ... you will not believe his morning routine to get his mind focused!
Please visit https://sophya.world to learn more about this vibrant platform and its proven ability to help remote teams soar!
Follow Sophya via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soph...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophya_ai
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asksophya
Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com
#videochannelforstartups #worldofworkcraft #MMOforWork
ANDELICIOUS ADVICE:
For more DIY startup advice, please subscribe to my Newsletter, Let’s Stick Together – because it takes a village to raise a business: http://bit.ly/AndeliciousNewsletter
JOIN STARTUP LIFE LIVE MEETUP GROUP
Get an alert whenever I post a new show!
https://bit.ly/StartupLifeLIVE
STREAMYARD OVERLAYS AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Nicky Pasquier
https://www.virtuosoassistant.co.uk/
GET VIDEO/AUDIO TRANSCRIBED WITH OTTER.AI
https://bit.ly/StartupLifeOtter
CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE:
https://andelyons.com
https://twitter.com/AndeLyons

5 Brand Messaging Mistakes Startups Need to Avoid Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Are you hearing crickets with your marketing campaigns?
Your brand messaging is one of the best tools to entice people to interact with you. Whether it’s a Facebook ad, a product description, or a CTA, you have a million opportunities to use good copy to make a connection. But so many brands let these opportunities go to waste, making brand messaging mistakes—both big and small—that either turn people off or fail to make an impact.
Plateau to GROW B2B customer-focused marketing maven Vicki O’Neill is here to help you avoid common brand messaging mistakes startups often make when launching their new business!
Vicki works as an executive level marketing resource to startups, small business owners and established businesses that have plateaued but are stuck and want to grow. She helps these leaders achieve success through consistent, revenue-driven marketing strategies.
Vicki shares 5 Messaging Mistakes Startups Need to Avoid.
She developed this FREE resource to help anyone identify marketing gaps, overlaps and opportunities in their customer journey: 6-Steps to Create Content for the Customer Journey: https://www.vickioneill.com/customer-...
Ways to connect and engage with Vicki:
Weekly email community: www.vickioneill.com/subscribe
Other ways to connect with Vicki:
Subscribe to Connect the Dots: www.connectthedotspodcast.com
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/vickioneill
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickioneill
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickioneill/
What challenges are you facing as a founder? Raising Capital? Talent Acquisition? Marketing? Please let me know in the comment section!
Thank you carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com

Tips for Building a Successful Online Community Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Would you like to launch and grow a passionate and engaged online community?
Or perhaps you’ve started a community and you’d like to create more interaction and involvement with your members… but it feels like you’re herding cats.
Anna Pereira, founder of The Wellness Universe, shares her 6 years of insights and advice on how to build a vibrant, engaged community!
Inspired by a vision in 2013 to create an epic space to serve the world, Anna built The Wellness Universe – a global community and platform for empowerment of the mind, body and spirit for total well-being, both personally and professionally.
With over 3500 members, The Wellness Universe is the only vetted global community and online directory of wellness providers, live events, online learning, member created content and resources.
Anna’s deep background in all aspects of marketing, event planning and relationship building, combined with her online influencer reputation (800k followers on social media!) she was uniquely qualified to lead The Wellness Universe to the vibrant, engaged community it is today.
I know you'll enjoy this exceptional female founder's fascinating and enlightening startup stories … (you’ll love Anna’s creative, innovative strategies), and you'll find answers to your questions on how to build a vibrant and engaging online community.
12:30 - Anna shares how it's important you surround yourself with the best team and aligned folks
13:35 - learn the difference between a fan base and a community
20:00 - learn how Anna nailed down her ideal customer segment
27:00 - how to combat loneliness as a Founder
49:00 - learn why having a collaboration state of mind will help you soar
52:30 - Anna's awe*mazing advice for Founders
Please engage and follow Anna here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaperei...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapereira...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaPereiraV...
Become a "world changer" and join The Wellness Universe here:
https://www.thewellnessuniverse.com/b... - get your first month FREE!
Learn more about the SoulTreat here:
http://www.WUSoulTreat.com - they have speaking and workshop slots and tables in their WU Fair available! Early bird price happening now.
Thank you carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com

Advice for Women of Color Founders Mar 13, 2021

Show notes

Wondering how to navigate the startup world as a woman of color?
This interview began by sharing a startup story about a mother-daughter team who created a revolutionary new tool for hair... and evolved into a candid conversation around the challenges women of color (and people of color) face when launching a business.
Saraa Green is the Co-Founder and CEO of THEBRAIDRELEASER, a new tool that keeps your hair from breaking when you take down your braids.
Unlike a pointy rat tooth comb, this beautifully designed tool glides through your braids to create a pain-free, time efficient, braid take down experience.
Prompted from a passion challenge assignment at grad school, Saraa recalled her mother’s ingenious innovation in 1992 for keeping her daughters' tears at bay and hair from breaking when taking down their braids.
Saraa tapped into her strong engineering and product design background AND her passion for the beauty industry, and she conceptualized a revolutionary tool that saves hours of time and tears.
Here are the highlights from our awe*mazing and meaningful conversation:
6:20 - Saraa's side hustle startup story
13:25 - Saraa's vision story
15:40 - time to change the narrative for women of color founders
22:40 - remember to nurture relationships with your loved ones
28:18 - how The Braid Releaser Works
33:05 - 3D printing vs. injection molding
35:10 - how to use packaging design to create the best customer user experience
42:43 - Saraa's crowdfunding strategy and advice
53:27 - advice and insights for managing founder doubt moments
58:29 - Saraa goes deep into racial injustice, how it affects founders of color, and shares her heartfelt, candid advice for founders of color to persevere no matter what
ORDER THE BRAID RELEASER HERE: https://bit.ly/FundBlackFoundersCampaign
Connect with Saraa and follow The Braid Releaser here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saraa-gre...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraidrel...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebraidrele...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BRAIDRELEASER
Order It's About Damn Time here: https://amzn.to/32ztoU7
Order Garrain Jones Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life here: https://amzn.to/32ztoU7
Saraa’s deep passion for the beauty industry started as a makeup artist at MAC Cosmetics, and is backed up by her engineering and development background at companies like Shima Seiki and adidas.
Her design and engineering education began at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design. She went on to earn her MBA from Willamette University, and is currently a student at North Carolina State University’s Doctorate of Design Program.
Thank you carving out time to learn from Saraa's founder journey, to celebrate her wins/learnings,. and to add wind to her sails - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com

Female Founder Changing the Face of Biotech Industry Mar 10, 2021

Show notes

Do you have a big hairy audacious idea you’re trying to bring to the world?
Our guest, Tia Lyles-Willams, has a crystal clear mission and vision for her startup – and a highly detailed road map she’s using to turn her Big Hairy Audacious Idea into reality!
Tia is the founder of LucasPye BIO, whose mission is to lower the costs for biotherapeutic drugs, reduce time to market, and provide high-quality employment opportunities for underserved communities.
Her startup vision includes a 60,000 s.f. co-manufacturing and developing bioprocessing facility… providing the opportunity to change the narrative and “face” of the biotechnology industry to one that promotes and illustrates real-world diversity, inclusion and equality.
As an African-American Woman and member of the LGBTQ community, Tia is the first to own and lead a Biotechnology/Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing company.
You will learn so much from this lively, fascinating conversation, including Tia's advice for founders:
* how to stay strong when folks question your ability to build the business
* how to be confident in the face of adversity
* self care tactics
* educate yourself to be an even better expert and founder in your industry
* never give up on your Divine Purpose in life
* never give in to the naysayers and the haters
* never compromise on your mission for your company and for your professional aspirations
Level up your founder game and learn how to raise capital at Founder Gym here: https://foundergym.com/
Check out 1 Million Cups here: https://www.1millioncups.com/
Find Black Angels Among Us: A Quick Start Guide to Angel Investing by Dr. Shante Williams here: https://amzn.to/2CIIuO4
Please connect and follow Tia and LucasPye Bio on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-lyles...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1LylesWilliams, https://twitter.com/LucasPyeBIO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onelyleswil...
Website: https://www.lucaspyebio.com/
Thank you carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande ♥
http://andelyons.com

When to Raise Money for Your Startup Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Is it time to raise money for your startup?
Investors write checks when the idea they hear is compelling, when they are persuaded that the team of founders can realize its vision, and that the opportunity described is real and sufficiently large.
Our guest Christie Pitts… a General Partner of Backstage Capital, an early-stage investor at Backstage Capital and co-founder of Backstage Studio… walks you through the decision process for raising money for your startup and the steps you need to take to create a successful raise experience.
Christie joined Backstage Capital in August 2017, and went on to assist in sourcing and investing in startups led by underrepresented (women, people of color, and LGBTQ) founders, helping to bring the firm’s total investment portfolio to more than 150 companies.
Previously, Christie had a multifaceted career at Verizon, where she led operations and marketing teams, supporting more than 5M wireless customers with annual revenues in excess of $4B. From there, she identified a passion for working with early-stage companies, which led her to work on the Verizon Ventures team.
Christie shares:
00:00 - Meet Christie!
15:20 Backstage Capital investment criteria and Backstage Crowd - a new initiative for non-accredited investors
23:00 Build a founder support group
28:30 Christie's Value Prop insights and advice
33:20 95% of new businesses are bootstrapped!
34:00 1% of new businesses get funded by outside sources
36:38 Christie's advice on how to protect your ownership
42:35 What you need to do first when you know you're ready to raise money
53:30 Steps you need to take when your company is ready to raise money
55:16 Christie's "Stitch that on a Pillow" advice!!
58:30 Join the Backstage Community!
Please follow Christie via:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiep...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imchristiepitts
Learn more about Backstage Capital and subscribe to their newsletter here:
https://backstagecapital.com
Grab the Investor Questions / Questions for Investors here:
https://bit.ly/AndeInvestorQA
Watch my fun, formula driven LTV/CAC Ratio video here:
http://bit.ly/LTVCACRatio
Thank you carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!
Ande Lyons
http://andelyons.com
#whentoraisemoney #videochannelforstartups

Winning Money, Mentors and More for Your Startup Mar 06, 2021

Show notes

Are you worried you’re not prepared to pitch to investors - that your pitch deck is wrong and won't be memorable? 😬
To succeed with your startup, you must persuade investors, advisors, customers, and other potential partners to join you on your journey. It can be intimidating to stand in front of a room and share your vision, your hard work, your startup.
Our guest, Debi Kleiman, is here to ease your fears and increase your opportunity to win money, mentors and more for your new business!
She’s is an award-winning marketer, teacher, startup advisor, mentor, and angel investor, with over 15 of experience working with and coaching startups of all kinds, especially in her current role as the Executive Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship at Babson College - the nation's #1 school for entrepreneurship.
A classically trained brand marketer and consumer products innovation expert, Debi previously spent a decade leading initiatives in brand development and innovation at Coca-Cola, Welch's, and Procter & Gamble.
Debi’s the bestselling author of FIRST PITCH, where founders learn ideal strategies and pathways to get investors and other key startup influencers to take notice and jump on board.
Ande ♥
http://andelyons.com
PS: grab a copy of Debi's new book, FIRST PITCH here: https://amzn.to/2Xv69rO

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