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How to Be Startup CEO

startupguide.com

21–25 of 25 posts

Re: How to Be Startup CEO

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if you know this or not, and I didn't notice if TFA made this point explicit or not, iContact was successful enough to be acquired for $169MM, and he remained CEO right up to the acquisition. And they grew to > 300 employees at their peak, so it's not like this guy is talking out of his arse here.

I never said iContact was a small company by any means. However, there are a many factors that can lead to a company growing >300 and getting acquired for that price. It might sound condescending so I understand the downvotes...but some of the things laid out in the post just sounded wrong to me.

FWIW, I did not downvote you.

That said, if there are things in the article you disagree with, why not spell them out and offer your alternative take, instead of just saying "it's offensive for one person to ..."

Disagreeing with an article and having a well reasoned position on why you disagree should be fine. But generic negative comments without much "meat" to them don't seem as valuable.

Re: How to Be Startup CEO

#22
> Figure out how to convince people to work for you for next to nothing (in exchange for equity and deferred salary).

This is listed under how to avoid funding, but it's really just borrowing from other founders, without the promise to repay.

Assuming I make $80/year as a developer, a few co-founders like me are covering the $250k mentioned.

Re: How to Be Startup CEO

#23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if you know this or not, and I didn't notice if TFA made this point explicit or not, iContact was successful enough to be acquired for $169MM, and he remained CEO right up to the acquisition. And they grew to > 300 employees at their peak, so it's not like this guy is talking out of his arse here.

I never said iContact was a small company by any means. However, there are a many factors that can lead to a company growing >300 and getting acquired for that price. It might sound condescending so I understand the downvotes...but some of the things laid out in the post just sounded wrong to me.

Unless you're the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, it's almost offensive for you claim that things sound wrong if you lack the experience to back up your claims.

Re: How to Be Startup CEO

#24
post #17

Growing up, I didn’t really know much about entrepreneurship and business, but as I began working in companies around the age of 16 and 17, and started my company, iContact, at 18, I discovered that there’s an entirely different world out there. In fact, there’s a world of prosperity and unlimited wealth out there for you to reach for. You can enter this world. But first, you have to be aware that it exists and you h…

Your biggest limitations can be your biggest advantages, if you learn how to use then at your favor. Work hard to understand why, then make yourself better from this.

Re: How to Be Startup CEO

#25
post #15
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the things I appreciate about Ryan and the information he shares is that he provides very detailed information and a lot of it. He leaves it to the reader to determine what parts are helpful, which varies by what stage each company is at to your point. However, I'd rather have too much information and be able to determine what is helpful myself at that point in time than to have someone choose to provide less…

That's great for you. But what about the new CEO with no experience? Lots in here to lead them down the wrong path.

Possibly, but that same inexperienced CEO could find misleading information elsewhere. Instead of limiting access, let them judge for themselves.
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