Startup Therapy

Latest Episodes:

The Value of Actually Getting Paid (Avoid This Big Danger) May 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter, discuss the misconception that startup founders are incredibly wealthy on paper, while in reality, many struggle with personal financial stability. See the importance of paying yourself regularly, even when building a high-potential startup. Consistently getting paid, no matter how small, is crucial to long-term success and personal well-being.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

Will Investors Bail Me Out? Brutal Truth About Startup Investments May 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter talk about sacrifices founders make — accumulating debt and foregone salaries, with the expectation of being reimbursed. They discuss how founders commonly believe that future investments will pay back their personal financial commitments. They emphasize that the only real chances of getting 'paid back' are through a company sale or profit distributions. They put a light on the tough lessons learned through their own experiences and those of others in the startup world.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

Is the problem the Player or the Coach? Team Building Hacks May 06, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter delve into evaluating startup team and management performance. Find out the importance of constant evaluation, highlighting the significance of both recognizing the need for improvement and taking actionable steps towards building a higher quality team.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

Do people really want me to succeed? Founders vs World Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter explore the harsh reality of seeking support as a founder. Surprising, limited number of people who genuinely want to see a founder succeed. You will hear about receiving superficial praise, the impact of social media on perception, and the psychological reasons behind others' reactions to success — the envy even among those closest to the founder.

Don't walk this narrow road alone, get support from your peers in founder groups at: https://www.startups.com/begin

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

You only THINK you work HARD — The Hard Work Illusion Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter talk about the common misconception around 'working hard' within startups. They question the measurement of hard work, arguing that effort does not necessarily equate to progress or beneficial outcomes. The need for clear benchmarks within organizations to truly reward and recognize valuable contributions.

Additionally, they challenge the notion of what constitutes as 'hard work' and the danger of equating all effort with success, proposing a more nuanced understanding that could lead to more effective and rewarding startup cultures.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to Listen For
00:17 The Misconception of Hard Work in Startup Culture
02:49 Real Value of Hard Work in Startups
04:29 The Effort vs. Progress Dilemma
06:40 Effort, Progress, and Reward
10:22 Learning from Effort and Reward
15:46 The Misconception of Effort vs. Outcome
17:36 Setting Expectations Across Management Levels
19:30 The Importance of Measurable Outcomes
28:31 Setting the Right Expectations and Rewards

SMALL is the New Big - Embracing Efficiency in the Age of AI Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the evolution of startups from the emphasis on scaling and headcount to prioritizing efficiency and output, largely due to advancements in AI. The challenges of the past, such as massive payrolls, investor dependency, and expensive infrastructures highlighting the opportunities AI technologies present for startups.

The conversation covers the changing landscape where small operations can achieve significant impact without the traditional costs, through examples like remote work, AI-driven efficiencies, and low-cost internet companies. They advocate for a shift in mindset where success isn't measured by headcount or office size, but by the value created with minimal resources.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to Listen For
00:00 The Evolution of Startups: From Headcount to Efficiency
01:29 AI and the Future of Work: A New Paradigm
05:14 The Unprecedented Scale and Speed of AI Adoption
07:14 AI's Impact on Staffing and Efficiency
09:39 The Ethical Debate: AI and Job Creation vs. Job Displacement
13:17 AI's Role in Democratizing Entrepreneurship
16:00 Historical Shifts in Startup Dynamics: From Match.com to AI
18:41 The Evolution of Startup Funding
19:33 The Dramatic Shift in Startup Economics
20:42 The Rise of Bootstrapping and Ownership Retention
21:24 Case Study: Plenty of Fish's Revolutionary Approach
24:32 The Future of Startup Costs and Ownership
31:55 Embracing Efficiency and Impact in Startups
33:48 A New Era of Startup Valuation and Efficiency

This is BOOTSTRAPPED - 3 Strategies to Build Your Startup Without Funding Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the startup therapy podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter delve into bootstrapping a startup. They address common misconceptions about funding, emphasizing the importance of making do with what you have and prioritizing what's truly necessary for business growth. The conversation covers practical ways to manage expenses without external funding, including strategies for hiring, marketing, and managing operational costs through discipline and creative solutions.

The hosts share personal experience on how to navigate the challenges of bootstrapping, highlighting the importance of being resourceful, making money to spend money, and avoiding typical startup traps.

https://www.startups.com/newsletter

Resources:

Startup Therapy Podcast
https://groups.startups.com/
Join our Network of Top Founders
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

00:00 Welcome to Startup Therapy

00:08 The Realities of Bootstrapping

01:35 Navigating the Bootstrapping Journey

04:50 Mastering the Art of Compensation in Bootstrapping

22:00 Innovative Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

26:50 Leveraging Vendor Terms and Historical Examples

28:18 The Power of Deferred Payments in Business Growth

33:20 Strategic Use of Credit Cards for Business Expenses

42:20 The Path to Efficient Startup Growth

The Spectrum of Investor Advice Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the complexities of handling feedback from investors, emphasizing the critical need for founders to properly qualify and assess the advice they receive. They highlight the dangers of acting on feedback without considering its relevance, potential bias, and the investor's qualifications. The discussion covers the spectrum of investor types, from well-meaning but inexperienced individuals to top-tier venture capitalists, and the importance of understanding the context and motivation behind their advice.

You will find how to advocate for a balanced approach that involves questioning, verifying, and thoughtfully considering advice before taking action.

https://www.startups.com/newsletter

Resources:

Startup Therapy Podcast
https://groups.startups.com/
Join our Network of Top Founders
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

$10K Per Month isn't Just Revenue. It's Life Support Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

In today's Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talks about why earning atleast $10,000 per month is one of the most important milestones in your startup career. They stress the need to do whatever it takes to keep your business alive. Hitting this milestone gives you room to handle setbacks and shows that you're making real progress. Tune in for tips on managing startup finances and staying resilient in the ever-changing business world.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter

https://www.startups.com/newsletter

Resources:

Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/begin
Join our Network of Top Founders
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
01:08 The most important milestones in your business
06:20 Everybody’s number is different
10:27 The existential costs of both a business and its founders
12:28 Do whatever it takes to reach the basic milestone
16:12 Your startups should survive restarts
19:50 The importance of having a backstop
24:45 Maybe it’s not your year
26:05 Finding value in small milestones

Why Do VCs Keep Giving "failed" Founders Money? Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

In today's Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talks about why investors choose to invest on “failed” founders. They debunk the myth that failure marks the end of a founder's journey and shows why giving people a second chance is the best investment. Tune in as they explore the investor mindset, focusing on why they prefer to invest in founders who have shown they can bounce back and learn from failure, ultimately changing how we think about startup success.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter

https://www.startups.com/newsletter

Resources: