Startup Therapy

Latest Episodes:

As a Founder, Should I Focus on Profit or Growth? May 16, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about where founders should put their focus on. Growth or profit? Can you focus on both? The true measure of a founding team is the success of every bet made and the ability to bounce back from the negative consequences of these bets. You can focus on returns and not see much growth or grow exponentially and invest in hiring more people. Either way, it’s always about achieving your ultimate goal.

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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
00:09 Why profit should always be the motive
05:54 You can’t simply mimic successful Startups
12:39 Give yourself enough time to learn everything about the business
21:15 Growth can also be very distracting
26:12 They all look like great when they’re just ideas

Funding is a One Way Street May 09, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the cost of raising a capital. Yes, additional funding is a good sign of progress, it’s a sign that the company has potential to grow because people invested money in it. Yes, it is a milestone most founders want to achieve. The downside, however, is that you are no longer alone when making decisions. You are no longer the owner. You become another ‘employee’.

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
00:53 Challenging the common narrative of raising funds
03:32 What are you giving up when you raise funding?
08:57 When the founder doesn’t feel comfortable
13:02 Investors will defend their money first above anything else
17:10 It’s not our company anymore
23:09 The only positive side of raising capital

My Startup Stalled - Now What? May 02, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about what it’s like for a Startup to stall. We are all so used to the idea that we need to keep creating a momentum for our business to reach goals, to hit target numbers, and possibly please our investors. Yet, many, if not all, Startups stall, growth slows down and revenue is almost non-existent. It’s normal and you gotta learn how to navigate out of these phases to achieve sustainable growth.

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
00:34 How should we handle a stall?
06:02 We naturally stall for a bit
11:59 Investors just love new stats
18:00 Live by the hype, die by the hype
27:58 Companies that were founded as second acts
31:21 How do investors think about the ebbs and flows?
33:50 Once investors see real growth, their opinions change
35:19 When nothing is being expected of you at the moment
38:20 It’s not just growing for the sake of growth
43:57 Building a Startup is a rollercoaster journey
45:26 It depends on why you’re stalled
49:45 Any decision made to satisfy someone else is bad decision
52:24 Do you need funding right now?
55:36 Founders tend to be an expert on a lot of things

What if We Fired Everyone and Started Over? Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the possibility of firing your employees for a restart? Let’s put it this way. The people in your team when you started may not be the right people now that your business is growing. The skills that they currently have may no longer fit the roles you need to continuously push your team forward. Everything changes, all things evolve, skills must upgrade. What about your people?

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
00:19 Every founder has had a reset moment
04:37 The person you hired before may not be the best person now
09:31 What roles will not hire again?
13:18 Directional changes do happen
17:42 The compensation for every role
21:26 Managing is a very different job
24:56 Who should you rehire?
30:36 What roles are the best way to use your resources?

This Could be our Last Shot Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about being at the peak of our opportunity. In our early years, when we fail to succeed in growing our Startup, it’s okay. We can take a breather, regroup, and then start again. When we’re already in our mid 40’s and 50’s (or older), screwing up comes at a high price. A restart may no longer be possible. On a positive note though, with age, we get to stack up on experience, knowledge, and skills needed for business success.

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
000:43 What if we are at the peak of our opportunity?
06:02 That moment when we strike lightning
10:42 Be pragmatic
14:44 Do not mess with your downside
20:54 In our 20s, we don’t consider risks like we would in our later years
25:43 In our older years, we can’t screw up

Will Investors Let Me Take Money Off The Table? Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about the likelihood of founders taking money off the table. Is it possible? Could be if the company has the potential of exponential growth in a short period of time. Is it doable? Most definitely if the means the company has the resources and manpower to get things done fast. But the possibility of being able to take money off the table is close to zero for most founders. You have to show proof that you can perform and you’re staying for the long run!

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
00:07 There’s a lot of talk about founder liquidity
03:19 No discussion with investors about taking money off the table
08:37 The upside founders always wanted
15:09 It is not an easy ask
19:48 You should be able to have the conversation of who to ask
23:56 Let’s flip the roles here
26:32 What investors should be mindful of
31:05 Equity represents the future value of the company

Being Leveraged Means Having Zero Choices Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about being leveraged and how it affects Startup growth. Early on, founders tend to believe that choosing an investor is an option. Yes, this is possible for people in the top 5 percent or those that haven been in this route more than once. But if you belong in the other 95%, which most of us are, we don’t get to choose. We get lucky when someone takes interest in investing in our Startup. So wise up and ‘choose’ well!

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
Send an email to therapy@startups.com
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
00:33 How much choice do we really have as founders?
02:37 It’s a privilege to be able to choose your investors
08:40 The real point of leverage
13:33 Sometimes time is what you need for leverage
18:21 Creating a healthy work-life balance isn’t simple for founders
25:31 You only get one or two options
27:21 When the money is not worth it
29:47 Are there other options to saying YES?
32:16 Getting investment is easier for second-timers
36:38 Putting your chips on one person
38:31 Have clear goals and expectations
40:50 How we are knowledge leveraged
44:19 Why did you feel the need to have a cofounder?
48:04 Is having a cofounder a necessary requirement?

I Failed. What Will People Think of Me? Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about not thinking too much about what other people think. Our emotions are always valid especially when our ideas aren’t appealing enough or when our Startup fails to gain any momentum. We always worry about what other people might think of us and how they will see our failure. But the truth is, no one will remember. No one will care. No one, but you. So, dust it off and start creating a new narrative!

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
Send an email to therapy@startups.com
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
00:43 When we go through these moments of failure
05:00 Founders dwell too much on what others think
16:24 No one actually remembers
21:40 Over some time, people will barely remember
26:54 Always create a new narrative
29:52 There is always a way forward
32:57 2 steps at telling a better narrative

Don't Be Afraid to Take Big Swings Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about founders not taking risks. When you get stuck in one place, getting comfortable at where you are at right now and not taking swings because of the fear of missing a hit, then growth becomes a long shot. Successful Startups did not succeed because they fear failure. Success comes when the founder keeps taking swings and managing failure as they come because they’re focused on getting a hit!

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
Send an email to therapy@startups.com
Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro
00:17 Why are we afraid to take big swings?
03:38 Is it a lie when you have the intent to back it up?
09:48 Will you be able to back up your commitment?
13:40 Take a big swing and manage failure
21:03 Doing nothing will only lead to a slow demise
25:09 The other side is you swing and hit

When Founders no Longer have Upside Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

In today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about founders with no more upside left. Having new investors is good. Stacking up more funds to expand the company is good. Although it can turn dreadful real quick when as a founder you are left with no more room to grow. You get stuck in one spot, doing the same rigorous task day by day without any promising gains at all. Wouldn’t it be better if you get enough funding and still have more control over the decision making and better incentives?

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Resources: