How Atlanta can remain the fintech leader
Build, Attract, and Keep. We’re crushing two of the three.
Founder advice for Techstars Mentor Madness
I've been through Techstars Mentor Madness many times on both the mentee and mentor sides of the table. I believe that a few decisions by founders during Mentor Madness can help make the most out of a necessarily brief 20-minute meeting.
Abortion is healthcare
It’s so easy to dunk on and rant against “the other side,” regardless of your side. That never moves anyone out of their position.
Atlanta will be a World Cup host city and it is surreal
Regardless of which round Atlanta hosts, my family and I will attend as many matches as possible, cheering as loudly as possible.
The two reasons startups fail
Startups fail for one of two reasons… they scale before finding product-market fit, or they never find product-market fit.
How to hire at a startup: 10 hiring habits of great founders
A startup is only as good as the people it hires. This is how the best startups hire the best employees.
The 4 types of startup employees
A startup is only as good as its employees. Startup employees can advance or regress through these four types during their tenure.
Ask these questions to get better candidates for your startup
Cover letters are a copy-n-paste waste of space. If you want to get better applicants and sift through a smaller stack of resumes, ask better questions.
The 90/10 Rule for startups
Successful early-stage startups are not only efficient with time and money, but they’re constantly aware of opportunity costs.
A startup job post needs these 15 things
I’ve hired hundreds, interviewed thousands, and sifted through a sea of CVs. Do yourself a favor and include these 15 things.
Creative startup employee benefits
Nectar provides an annual “work-cation” stipend to work remotely for one week from an Airbnb of the employee’s choice.
Scattered convictions
Convictions that have been on my mind lately through interactions with my team and a variety of founders.
Startup founders should interview the first 500 hires
Having a founder involved in each of the first 500 hires helps founders ensure that company leaders and hiring managers are effective at communicating and hiring for the startup’s mission, vision, and values.
The value of writing in lists
Lists provide value to both the writer and the reader, untangling and simplifying ideas.
Just jump in. You’ll swim.
Don't continue to plan, waiting for “the right time” to launch while claiming to be a perfectionist. Perfectionism is procrastination.
Desperation-Induced Focus
“Desperation inspires creativity and intense focus. It is an essential ingredient to building great products and services.”
It’s perfectly fine if you think your work gives life meaning
I've always struggled when people say that 'it's just a job' because I think your job, your work, your daily devotion and focus... those things should give you meaning.
Entrepreneurs and mental health
Entrepreneurs are 2x as likely to suffer from depression, 2x as likely to have suicidal thoughts, 3x as likely to suffer from substance abuse.
Be valuable to the people you meet
Recently I was asked by a soon-to-be-be college graduate, "What's the best advice you have for someone entering the job market?"
Notes
📕 Highlights and thoughts from articles and books.
✏️ Thoughts, maxims, and others’ insights.
🎙 Interesting moments from (mostly) business, startups, and technology podcasts.