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
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Why do Investors FIRE Founders?
Jan 14, 202500:45:48Tap to summarizeRyan Rutan and Will Schroeter discuss the complexities and challenges faced by startup founders, particularly the frequent occurrence of founders being replaced by investors. The conversation delves into the motivations behind such investor decisions, the difficulties in replicating a founder's passion and vision, and the common pitfalls and consequences of these transitions. The hosts share personal anecdotes and provide insights on how to prevent these situations, handle them professionally if they arise, and maintain valuable stakeholder relationships. This episode is a must-listen for any startup founder navigating the turbulent waters of investor relations and company growth.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:00:25 The Downfall of Bench and Ian Crosby's Story01:54 Investor Motivations and Founder Replacements03:33 Understanding Investor Expectations05:40 The Slow Burn of Founder Dismissal08:23 The Impact of Replacing Founders13:49 Personal Stories of Founder Replacement16:47 The Challenges of Replacing Founders19:26 Augmenting the Team vs. Replacing the Founder22:01 Why Investors Push Founders Out24:00 Navigating Earn-Out Periods in Acquisitions24:26 The Challenge of Replacing Founders26:43 Timing the Transition: Leadership vs. Management29:08 The Mercenary CEO: Pros and Cons35:31 Investor Expectations and Founder Realities42:19 Handling Founder Exits Professionally
Transcribe →The Burden of Unrealistic Expectations
Dec 2, 202400:38:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode Ryan and Will delve into the intense pressures faced by founders from investors, peers, and the startup community. They discuss how these external expectations often drive founders to pursue goals misaligned with their personal beliefs and values. The conversation explores how unchecked expectations can lead to burnout and misguided efforts. They share insights on the importance of auditing and resetting personal and business expectations to ensure they align with one's true goals and values. The hosts also highlight the dangers of comparing oneself to other founders or industry giants, and emphasize the significance of building a business that meets personal fulfillment rather than external benchmarks.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn / startups-co Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter / wilschroter Ryan Rutan / ryan-rutan What to listen for:00:32 The Source of Pressure and Expectations03:32 Investor Expectations and Their Impact04:05 Personal Story: Missing Investor Expectations05:44 The Reality of Investor Expectations10:15 Comparing Yourself to Other Founders17:45 The Peer Comparison Trap18:06 Personal Journey: From Poverty to Success20:01 The Futility of Social Media Comparisons23:07 Tying Success to Self-Worth28:20 The Illusion of Goals and Success31:53 Reevaluating Startup Expectations36:43 Conclusion: Building What Matters to You
Transcribe →How do I Stay Positive In Tough Times?
Nov 25, 202400:43:37Tap to summarizeRyan and Will discuss the omnipresent challenges that come with running a startup. They delve into the perpetual 'shit storm' that founders face and share practical advice on how to keep moving forward even when everything feels like it's falling apart. Key points include regaining perspective, converting anxiety into actionable tasks, breaking down large goals into manageable micro-goals, and finding healthy obsessions to channel stress. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, not just for personal sanity but for the wellbeing of the entire team, and share personal anecdotes and strategies that have helped them through their toughest times.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn / startups-co Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter / wilschroter Ryan Rutan / ryan-rutan What to listen for:00:07 The Perpetual Shit Storm of Startups01:01 Practical Advice for Founders in Crisis02:10 Regaining Perspective During Tough Times05:08 Personal Stories of Overcoming Challenges15:29 The Importance of Taking Action20:41 Managing Anxiety with Side Tasks21:58 The Power of Micro Goals23:37 Breaking Down Big Tasks26:29 The Importance of Focus32:07 Finding Healthy Obsessions41:08 Building Momentum with Small Wins43:14 Join the Startups.com Community
Transcribe →Are Investors Trying to Push Us a Cliff?
Nov 18, 202400:20:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will delve into the often misunderstood motivations of venture capitalists. They discuss why investors push startups to grow rapidly, the pressures VCs face to deliver returns within a specific timeframe, and the fundamental differences between the stakes for founders and investors. The episode uncovers the reasons behind the 'push you off a cliff' approach, the impact of the 2 and 20 model on VC behavior, and the importance of understanding these dynamics to better navigate the startup journey.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn / startups-co Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter / wilschroter Ryan Rutan / ryan-rutan What to listen for:00:11 Understanding Investor Motivations01:12 The VC Time Crunch03:57 Profit vs. Growth: A VC Perspective13:25 The Reality of VC Salaries16:29 Founders vs. Investors: Different Stakes19:00 Conclusion: Aligning Goals with Investors
Transcribe →What Previously Funded Founders Do Differently
Nov 11, 202400:33:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the daunting realities of raising capital for startups. By sharing insights and experiences from both first-time and repeat founders, they delve into the recurring theme of regret found amongst entrepreneurs who've gone through the funding process. Topics include the hidden costs of raising money, the pitfalls of losing focus, and the challenges of working with investors. The hosts offer practical advice on when to raise funds, how to mitigate the risks of distraction, and the importance of being selective and strategic about bringing investors on board. Whether you're gearing up for your first round of fundraising or re-evaluating your approach, this episode provides valuable lessons to help navigate the complex landscape of startup financing.Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/community/st...Websitehttps://www.startups.com/beginLinkedIn / startups-co Join our Network of Top Founders Wil Schroter / wilschroter Ryan Rutan / ryan-rutan What to listen for:00:14 The Reality of Raising Funds00:38 Founders' Regrets and Reflections02:15 The Perils of Not Getting Paid04:22 Understanding Founder Compensation11:04 Strategies for Better Compensation13:24 Challenges with Profitable Companies15:02 The Pressure to Grow or Bust15:16 The Dilemma of Raising Too Early15:47 The Vulnerability of Early Stages16:22 The Importance of Timing in Fundraising16:56 The Pitfalls of Early Funding17:28 The Distraction of Fundraising20:34 The Impact of Investor Expectations28:23 The Challenge of Having a New Boss31:50 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Transcribe →This is BOOTSTRAPPED - 3 Strategies to Build Your Startup Without Funding
Mar 18, 2024Tap to summarizeIn 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. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://groups.startups.com/Join our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan00:00 Welcome to Startup Therapy00:08 The Realities of Bootstrapping01:35 Navigating the Bootstrapping Journey04:50 Mastering the Art of Compensation in Bootstrapping22:00 Innovative Marketing on a Shoestring Budget26:50 Leveraging Vendor Terms and Historical Examples28:18 The Power of Deferred Payments in Business Growth33:20 Strategic Use of Credit Cards for Business Expenses42:20 The Path to Efficient Startup Growth
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Great Ideas Start as Dumb Ideas
Aug 30, 2021Tap to summarizeIn today’s Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan talk about dumb ideas. It’s no surprise that most of the successful Startups today started off as a completely bad idea. As it turns out, when given the time to evolve, the market to mature, and the target audience to be open about it, the dumbest idea can become the most profitable company. Sign up for the Startups Newsletterhttps://www.startups.com/newsletterResources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/beginJoin our Network of Top Founders Send an email to therapy@startups.com What to Listen For00:00 Intro00:36 How many successful Startups started as a great idea?04:26 Founders are stuck in “my idea needs to be better”06:07 Ideas are a process and it can change a thousand times09:24 Why is it called Netflix?11:46 The market matures and the idea matures, we have to give it time13:07 This concept that the development of an idea is a linear process16:04 There aren’t a lot of people willing to invest in Startups
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