Starting a company is an act of unreasonable optimism. The founders in this section know that firsthand. They’ve built startups across every industry. Some that worked, some that pivoted, and some that taught very expensive lessons. All of it is here.
These interviews cover the full startup arc. The spark of an idea. The terrifying moment you actually commit to it. The scramble for funding, customers, and some version of product-market fit that doesn’t feel like a hallucination. Then the scaling part, which introduces a whole new set of problems nobody warned you about.
What’s useful about these conversations is the range. Solo founders. Co-founder duos. People who raised venture capital and people who think venture capital is a trap. Bootstrap devotees and serial fundraisers. There’s no single right way to build a startup, and reading enough of these interviews makes that abundantly clear.
You’ll find practical insights on lean methodology, customer acquisition, team building, and the art of staying alive long enough to figure out what works. Also the emotional side, because startups are emotional. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or hasn’t started one yet.
[quote style=”boxed”]My personal credo, which is literally tattooed on my right forearm, is “JFDI” : Just f***ing do it.[/quote] Alex Hillman starts things: businesses, conversations, parties—and, once in a while,…
[quote style=”boxed”]I’d have worked with more discipline in the beginning, and with more focus which projects to take on, so as to have developed better momentum. And I’d have certainly…
[quote style=”boxed”]Working on priorities. As an entrepreneur, there is always more work than you can physically do. Setting priorities is the key to being a good entrepreneur.[/quote] Mary-Alice Brady is…
[quote style=”boxed”]Inundate your mind with information. Read everything.[/quote] In an article for TexasEnterprise.org, Brandon Chicotsky wrote about his American generation raised with the Internet as “digital natives.” At age 27,…
[quote style=”boxed”]Ask for help. I think having the title of “entrepreneur” makes us believe we’re all alone and need to do it by ourselves.[/quote] John T. Meyer is the CEO…
[quote style=”boxed”] One thing I think is super-important is to know your buyers: build what they need, not what you can build.[/quote] Scott Lewis is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing…
Meet Scott Lewis – Chief Marketing Officer for Fantasy Politics
[quote style=”boxed”]Play to your strengths and stay true to who you are as an individual and as a company.[/quote] Ever Gonzalez’s 12 years in Logistics and Transportation have given him…
Meet Ever Gonzalez – Founder and CEO of Capital Freight Management
[quote style=”boxed”]Make a list in the morning with at least two action items that must be done. Then prioritize that list, then rock it out.[/quote] Max Valverde graduated from Brown…
[quote style=”boxed”]Ask questions as if you were your own worst critic. If you can’t sell yourself on an idea, then you shouldn’t try to sell others.[/quote] Gerard Murphy is the…
[quote style=”boxed”]As long as your learn from your mistakes, you can’t consider it a regret.[/quote] Drawing inspiration from the heart of the deep south, New Orleans…over a pitcher of sweet…
Meet Jolie Bensen and Sarah Elizabeth Dewey – Co-Founders of Jolie & Elizabeth
[quote style=”boxed”]Focus. Startups have limited resources, and it’s really important to focus on the right things. [/quote] Ariel Diaz is an experienced entrepreneur with an incredible passion for improving the…
[quote style=”boxed”]My best ideas always appear when I am working out. Fitness is a huge part of my life, and it has proven to be the place that my cluttered…