Tag Archives: founders

Every Business is an “L” Business

Posted on September 8, 2014 by

Ah, the “L” word. No, not “love”. The other “L” word. You know the one…the one that puts startup founders into an internal rage.  The one that signals to the founder that the person using the word finds their business … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Commentary/Editorial, Entrepreneurial Advice, Technology and Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Assessing Your Competitive Landscape…It’s a Forest Out There

Posted on September 16, 2013 by

I’m finally going to get a business plan pet peeve off my chest and onto your shoulders.  I’ve decided that I’ve read my last business plan with a “Competition” section that blithely lists a few direct competitors and a factoid … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Entrepreneurial Advice, Seed/Venture Capital | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Why I Loathe Tumblr.

Posted on June 19, 2013 by

I loathe Tumblr. But not for the 1.1 billion reasons that you think. Sure, I’m a little professionally jealous that I’ve never had a client sell themselves for $1.1 billion. But it’s not like I had a chance to invest … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary/Editorial, Entrepreneurial Advice, Just Kidding | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Much Money Should I Raise…$29,542?

Posted on February 11, 2013 by

Hopefully, you remember the classic TV show Taxi and its despicably lovable character, Louie DePalma.  In one memorable episode, the unforgettable Jim Ignatowski accidentally burns down Louie’s apartment. Jim’s wealthy father sends Louie a signed blank check to cover the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Entrepreneurial Advice, Seed/Venture Capital | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Four Seasons of Your Start-Up…Winter

Posted on November 5, 2012 by

If you’ve been reading along in this 4-part series of the evolution of your start-up, you may be expecting that Winter is the end of the line.  You may be thinking that somehow I’m going to wrap up the series with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Entrepreneurial Advice, Seed/Venture Capital, Tech Based Economic Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Even In the Beginning, Entrepreneurs Created Jobs

Posted on August 8, 2012 by

I’m going to get right to the point of this blog post.  Sometimes, shocking information is best delivered in a no-nonsense, unapologetic manner.  So, I’m just going to hit you with this right now and I just don’t want you … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary/Editorial, Economic Development Policy, Economic History Perspsective | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Secret Energy of Entrepreneurs

Posted on June 4, 2012 by

I disagree with those who believe that people can be trained to be entrepreneurs. Scores of scholarly pieces have been written that claim that entrepreneurs are not born, but instead are trained to be good entrepreneurs.  In fact I’d say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary/Editorial, Entrepreneurial Advice, Seed/Venture Capital | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Every Top 10 List Deserves a Few Cautions

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Martin Zwilling’s recent post discussing “10 Clues That It May Be Time To Start Your Own Business”  is only partly useful.  It provides a checklist of feelings or observations that, if you experience them, may help you recognize that you … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurial Advice | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

VentureTips…Wise Beyond Their Years

Posted on July 19, 2011 by

Ah, youth.  Early signs of future success sometimes appear to be obvious, but so many do not live up to their potential.  Like the highly recruited college athlete who appears to be the “next one”, early promise can fizzle or … Continue reading →

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Flexibility or Focus…The Founders Dilemma

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

Yesterday afternoon I had yet another opportunity to participate in a Tiger Session for one of my clients.   Well, I didn’t so much participate as much as spectate and facilitate as our 4 carefully selected tigers went to work tearing … Continue reading →

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