Podcast
Startup Therapy
Hosted by Startups.com · EN
The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.
37episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Are startups the future of employment?
Dec 300:47:03Tap to summarizeWhat will AI do to everything? In this episode, we explore how AI is set to create a surge in new startups, reshaping employment as we know it. As jobs get displaced, the concept of big employment shifts, giving rise to smaller, more agile companies using AI tools. Drawing parallels with past technological revolutions, we highlight the opportunities that lower costs and new market demands present for founders. We discuss the transformation in various sectors, from customer service to content creation, and emphasize how AI can democratize entrepreneurship globally. Finally, we delve into the exciting potential for startup growth and the role of AI as both a tool and a transformative force in the startup ecosystem.Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:24 The Impact of AI on Employment01:16 Historical Parallels: Internet and Industrial Revolution02:32 The Shift from Big Employment to Entrepreneurship03:16 The Decline of Traditional Jobs05:25 Opportunities in the New Economy11:48 The Rise of the Creator Economy20:15 Macro Trends and Future Outlook23:52 The Rise of Billion-Dollar Startups24:24 Price Collapse and Premium Experiences26:01 The Impact of AI on Startups26:44 The Creator Economy and Niche Markets29:06 The Evolution of eSports31:09 The Dawn of Young CEOs33:22 The Future of Entrepreneurship39:43 Global Entrepreneurship and Accessibility45:56 The Age of the Startup
Transcribe →The Founder Hard Reset
Nov 2500:25:53Tap to summarizeEver felt like vacations just aren't cutting it when it comes to startup burnout? In this episode, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter dive deep into why burnout is inevitable for founders and how quick fixes like vacations often fail to address the root of the issue. They explore how to truly recover and maintain that all-important spark in your work. Learn why it's crucial to inventory what drains and fuels your energy, and how making meaningful changes—not just taking time off—can lead to sustainable recovery. Real-life examples and practical advice make this a must-listen for any founder feeling the grind.Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:34 The Misconception of Business Success and Burnout01:00 Personal Stories of Burnout02:10 The Ineffectiveness of Vacations03:49 The Importance of Meaning in Work04:11 Personal Struggles with Burnout07:27 The Real Cause of Burnout10:23 Balancing Tasks to Prevent Burnout11:59 The Battle Within: Struggles in the Workplace12:58 Startup Expectations vs. Reality13:46 Finding Energy and Avoiding Burnout15:34 The Importance of Positive Energy18:22 Active Breaks for Founders22:32 Identifying and Addressing Burnout25:31 Join the Startups.com Community
Transcribe →Is there a line between Founder optimism and delusion?
Nov 1700:37:40Tap to summarizeCan founders turn delusion into success? In this episode, Ryan and Will discuss the essential role of optimism in startups. Drawing parallels between founders and firefighters, the duo explores how belief against all odds drives entrepreneurs forward. They explain how maintaining optimism is not just about having a positive outlook but about creating momentum from minor wins and leveraging chaos as an opportunity. The hosts also address the fine line between optimism and dishonesty, emphasizing the importance of an 'educated wish.' Whether you're battling to raise funds or struggling to maintain morale, this episode delves into why a founder’s unyielding belief is crucial for startup survival and growth.Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:07 The Delusional Optimism of Founders01:02 Creating and Living in a Fantasy02:00 Running Toward Chaos04:54 The Passion and Drive of Founders05:59 The Reality of Startup Life12:08 The Role of Belief and Proof14:31 Finding Optimism in Small Wins16:40 Persistence in the Face of Rejection18:56 The Power of Hope in Business19:52 The Role of Optimism in Startups21:41 Balancing Optimism and Honesty23:03 The Fine Line Between Optimism and Deception26:07 The Importance of Optimism in Leadership28:55 The Role of Optimism in Overcoming Challenges32:05 The Founder's Mindset: Manufacturing Optimism
Transcribe →Prioritize Productivity Over Popularity
Nov 700:31:59Tap to summarizeEver find yourself caught in the trap of confusing visibility with progress? In this episode, we'll delve into why seeking attention can often feel like momentum but doesn't necessarily translate to business traction. Will Schroter shares a cautionary tale from his own experience, revealing how his focus on brand-building and networking kept him from truly building his company. We explore the fine line between personal branding and productivity, and why many founders need to prioritize the latter to achieve real success. It's a reminder that until your product and business are fully developed, every external interaction could be costing you more than it's worth.00:30 The Trap of Visibility: A Personal Story02:24 The Illusion of Popularity vs. Productivity06:21 The Modern-Day Equivalent: Social Media09:24 Balancing Publicity and Productivity11:23 Cautionary Tales and Lessons Learned12:55 The Importance of Focus and Balance14:48 Earning the Right to Brand Build15:29 The Pitfalls of Prioritizing Popularity Over Business16:07 The Honeymoon Period of Venture Funding17:40 The Dangers of Personal Branding for Founders18:47 When Personal Views Hurt Business21:39 Balancing Personal and Company Brand23:48 Focus on Building the Business First30:22 The Cost of External InteractionsResources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:
Transcribe →Better is Better than Bigger
Oct 2700:35:39Tap to summarizeIs getting bigger always better for startups? This episode dives into the hidden costs of scaling up and how growth can sometimes make a company worse, not better. Ryan and Will discuss the trade-offs between size and quality, using examples like Google and PayPal. They explore how rapid growth can diminish company culture, slow down decision-making, and introduce inefficiencies. The conversation also covers personal experiences in startup growth, emphasizing the importance of optimizing for better rather than just bigger. Whether it's adding more staff or raising capital, they advocate for making decisions that enhance company quality and founder life satisfaction.Resources:Startup Therapy Podcasthttps://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top FoundersWil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:14 The Myth of Bigger is Better00:43 Examples of Companies That Grew and Suffered02:00 The Hidden Costs of Scaling05:08 Personal Experiences with Growth Challenges13:01 The Importance of Freedom and Quality17:18 The Hidden Costs of Growth17:58 Balancing Growth and Quality of Life20:39 Defining Non-Negotiables for Better Business22:33 Scaling with Soul: Maintaining Company Culture24:41 Quality Over Quantity: Making Strategic Decisions28:07 The Power of Saying No31:15 Sticking to Your Values for Sustainable Growth
Transcribe →Assets OVER Exits
Mar 3, 202500:39:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Startup Therapy, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeter challenge the startup world's focus on big exits and venture capital. They highlight the benefits of cash-flowing businesses, showing how consistent profits can lead to financial security. Using real examples, they explain how making $10K a month can be as powerful as having millions in the bank—emphasizing sustainable growth and long-term success.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:19 The Value of Consistent Cash Flow01:23 Examples of Profitable Local Businesses03:37 The Misconception of Startup Exits03:49 Real-Life Stories of Successful Small Businesses06:16 The Broken Narrative of Startup Wealth07:26 Reevaluating Business Success Metrics09:05 The True Value of a Profitable Business09:38 Calculating the Financial Impact13:20 The Reality of Business Exits18:09 Replacement Value vs. Exit Value19:14 The Value of Experience and Pre-existing Solutions19:39 Cash vs. Business Value: A Deep Dive20:21 Real-life Examples of Business Growth23:34 Risks and Rewards of Running a Business27:12 The Importance of Consistent Earnings34:54 Long-term Value and Compounding Effects
Transcribe →You Only Have to Be Right Once
Feb 24, 202500:32:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, Ryan and Will chat about how startup success isn’t always a straight path. They use Mark Cuban’s story as a prime example, showing why sticking it out for the long run is so important—because success can happen at any time in a founder’s career. They also talk about how those early small wins can build up to something bigger and why setting strict timelines for success doesn’t really make sense. At the end of the day, one big right moment in a 50-year career can be a total game-changer.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:07 The Reality of Founders' Success02:00 Mark Cuban's Journey to Billionaire Status06:35 The Importance of Small Wins10:15 Financial Stability and Early Success15:57 The Value of Consistent Small Wins18:02 Success Doesn't Have a Timeline18:12 When Does Success Happen?18:20 Examples of Late Bloomers18:45 The Myth of Early Success19:59 The Impact of Timing20:44 The Internet Era and Young Wealth21:40 Outliers and Unrealistic Expectations25:13 Consequences of Chasing Quick Success27:28 The Value of Longevity in Business30:02 Unexpected Success Stories31:46 Staying in the Game32:36 Join the Startups.com Community
Transcribe →What Would I do Differently
Feb 3, 202500:33:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Startup Therapy, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter explore the 'what if' scenarios that often preoccupy founders. Will shares personal milestones, showing how taking bigger risks shaped his journey. They discuss the hidden costs of success, the pitfalls of romanticizing alternative outcomes, and the importance of realistic risk assessment. The key takeaway? Embrace risk to avoid the regret of missed opportunities.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:07 – Reflecting on milestones and 'what ifs'00:44 – The risks and rewards of entrepreneurship04:00 – A hilarious temp job experience07:34 – The reality of alternate paths09:02 – The danger of romanticizing 'what ifs'13:48 – The cost of success15:29 – Building a realistic mental model16:18 – Stop guessing and get real answers16:26 – The cost of staying in a job you hate17:30 – Should you stay or leave?18:10 – The true cost of success19:12 – The hindsight trap: romanticizing outcomes21:56 – Learning from failure and modeling risk22:55 – Zirtual acquisition: a case study in risk28:47 – Surviving failure and moving forward31:35 – Avoiding regret and embracing risk
Transcribe →When Can I Afford to GAMBLE?
Jan 27, 202500:30:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter dive into an interesting perspective: taking risks in entrepreneurship is actually a luxury, not the norm. They break down what it really costs to take risks, how to figure out your "minimum viable risk pool," and why having a financial cushion is key to surviving setbacks.They share personal stories from their experience at Startups.com, emphasizing the importance of cutting personal and business expenses to stretch your runway and make smarter decisions. This episode is all about helping entrepreneurs understand the financial milestones they need to hit to keep their businesses afloat—and how time plays a big role in navigating risks.This episode is packed with advice for anyone trying to manage the tricky balance of risk and reward in entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn how to take smarter risks and build a solid foundation for your business!Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:15 Why Taking Risks Is a Luxury02:08 Balancing Personal and Business Costs03:44 Lessons from Startups.com05:55 Why You Need a Risk Buffer10:25 Figuring Out the Minimum Viable Risk Pool16:51 Financial Discipline and Budgeting19:09 The Freedom Fund Explained26:51 How to Survive Financial Challenges
Transcribe →Can Founders Find Contentment?
Jan 21, 202500:43:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeter delve into the anxiety surrounding contentment in the startup ecosystem. They question the conventional wisdom that equates contentment with stagnation and probes whether startup founders should aim for contentment as a goal. Through personal anecdotes and industry examples, they explore the influence of perpetual ambition and societal expectations on entrepreneurs. They also discuss the differences between being content and being complacent and reflect on the continuous urge to chase new problems and challenges, even when previous goals have been achieved.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapyWebsitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroterhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/Ryan Rutanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/What to listen for:00:44 Questioning the Need for a Business Coach02:05 The Dilemma of Contentment vs. Ambition04:02 Reflecting on Milestones and Contentment07:35 The Nature of the Startup World15:23 Anxiety as a Driving Force20:51 The Anxiety of High Achievers22:11 The Pressure of Success: Avicii and Pharrell23:59 Imposter Syndrome Among Overachievers26:21 The Elusive Goal of Contentment29:08 Balancing Ambition and Contentment33:29 The Trap of Endless Ambition40:44 Finding True Satisfaction
Transcribe →