FJOR’s Post

😇 Founders who don't fit a stereotypical mold are afraid to be imperfect. Per Tuesday's workshop, female founders will often a specific number in response to 'what's your anticipated revenue'. But many men? They'll immediately give a ballpark estimate. The latter often answer quickly and with more confidence because the point is to sell, not be perfect. Atypical founders show up buttoned up, precise, and perfect because that's what we think we need to do to taken seriously. It's what we were socialized to believe and do. It makes it harder to judge us on anything but our merit. 🏃♀️ But being a founder requires comfort in not being perfect. For example, I've been posting more on LinkedIn, publicly tweaking parts of my profile here and there, and testing out some landing pages. I'm sure someone out there thinks it's crazy or unrefined, but it's really fine. Experimentation and testing and putting one's self out there in a semi-public way is a huge part of bringing a testing mentality to a startup. I kinda wish I had built this muscle to publicly experiment with confidence a while ago. But tbh, it's something required more of the startup ecosystem than other verticals I was educated in. Thoughts??

From start to finish, our full process consists of the following: We begin with relationships - our trust network of founders, investors, and talent has been foundational to our success and the growth of our portfolio companies. Relationships in our network then turn inevitably into meandering conversations about technology and potential ventures at conferences and events. These conversations then turn into more focused meetings - most notably our formalized Spark Summits around specific venture ideas and founders - which take place in conference rooms in an afternoon followed by nearby restaurants for dinner. These conversations bring together co-founders, build teams, investors, subject-matter experts, and - perhaps most importantly - customer decision-makers to ensure a rock-solid start to a new venture. After sufficient demand testing and idea validation, these ventures are then funded with financial capital from one or more of our VC funds and investment partners. We collectively then continue to invest multiple forms of capital as a startup grows. What is absolutely essential to this process is our core values and people - i.e. the Generosity, Empathy, Excellence, and Kindness (GEEK) of our network of Founders, Investors, and Talent (FIT). We like to joke internally that we strive to be FIT GEEKs. :)

Mastering the art of ‘boring’ got us 3x growth in the last 2 quarters. It’s funny how the things we do every day can start to feel routine, almost boring. You show up. You put in the work. It feels automatic. It becomes second nature. No flashy moves. No grand shifts. No big excitement. Just the same, steady rhythm. It’s not headline material, but it’s exactly what’s needed to move forward. Because boring? That’s what builds. You don’t reinvent the wheel. You don’t chase the latest buzz. Instead, you focus on the day-to-day grind, perfecting it over time. And it’s this unglamorous, steady effort that leads to real results. While many Edtechs have a reputation of burning money in pursuit of growth, we’ve quietly built a profitable business- focused, disciplined, and scalable. It’s not the loudest approach, but it’s the one that lasts. Investors look for companies with a clear roadmap, with execution that scales. That’s what we’ve built at Metvy- a foundation driven by precision, routine, and results. That’s where we stand. Stronger. Sharper. And ready for more. #Growth #Startupgrowth #Metvy #Investors #Edtech #LinkedIncommunity #LinkedIninsights

What I Learned from Meeting 2,000+ Founders and Hearing 1,000+ Pitches a Year. Meeting over 2,000 founders annually and listening to more than 1,000 pitches has given me unique insights into the world of startups. Here’s what I’ve learned: 1. Clarity is King The best pitches are those that distill complex ideas into simple, understandable concepts. VCs get bombarded with pitches. Founders who can communicate their vision clearly stand out. 2. Passion is Palpable You can feel when a founder is genuinely passionate about their idea. That energy is contagious and often a key factor in customer interviews, VC meetings. 3. Execution Over Ideas A great idea is only as good as its execution. Founders who focus on how they will implement their ideas are more likely to succeed. 4. Resilience is a Superpower The startup journey is tough. Those who can weather the storms and bounce back from setbacks are the ones who make it in the long run. 5. Focus on Value, Not Valuation The most impressive founders focus on creating value for their customers, not just increasing their company's valuation. 6. Learning Never Stops The most successful founders are perpetual learners, constantly seeking knowledge, feedback, and improvement. 7. Investor-Fit is Key Not every investor is right for every founder. The best partnerships are those where the vision, values, and working style align. ____ · Join my newsletter for more content by me - https://lnkd.in/gK67Fw_u · Waitlist for my next Founder Workation in Jeju, October 2024 - https://litt.ly/workation

Clarity is King

Simple 7 key points for every entrepreneur / startup founders #startup #entrepreneurship

When creating Moxie Ops, it was important to establish the companies values from the very start. Values are the foundations that help structure and influence the company's goals and decisions. For Moxie Ops, these values are essential to how we work with clients, whether they are individuals, micro startups, SMEs or large organisations 🚀 🙏 INTEGRITY 🙏 Open and honest communication is essential for building trusting relationships and efficiency in processes. Being genuine and authentic helps open up that line of trust quickly. ✨ CURIOSITY ✨ Learning and continuing to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding helps with more effective decision-making, resilience, and can unlock creativity. 🤝 COMPASSION 🤝 Being kind to one other and treating each other with respect, whilst acknowledging the different experiences and perspectives of others through empathy. #CompanyValues #Integrity #Curiosity #Compassion #BeMoreMoxie #BusinessSupport #OperationsSupport #IndieSupport #StartUpSupport #SMESupport #LeadershipStrategy #OperationsPartner #ContractedServices #Consultancy #MoxieOps

Let’s talk about the founders who take their time to build. In today’s fast-paced world, everyone seems to be chasing billion-dollar valuations, overnight success, or the next big milestone. But then, there are founders who choose a different path—the intentional path. They’re not in a rush to impress or make headlines. They’re focused on figuring out exactly what they’re doing and why. These are the founders who embrace patience. They spend time understanding their customers, refining their products, and laying the kind of foundation that doesn’t crumble under pressure. To outsiders, it might seem like they’re moving slowly, but what they’re doing is much harder than moving fast. They’re building deliberately, with purpose and precision. And here’s what I admire most about them: when they finally hit their stride, there’s no stopping them. Once the momentum kicks in, there’s no rest, no looking back—just relentless progress. They’re unstoppable. If you’re one of those founders taking your time, hear this: your journey may not fit the usual startup narrative, but the legacy you’re creating will outlast the trends. Keep building, keep pushing, and trust the process. To the world, you might be “taking forever.” But to those who truly see the bigger picture, you’re building something timeless. #TheMediaQueen

You're Too Early for Us" – What It REALLY Means (and How to Respond) As founders, we’ve all heard it before: “You’re too early for us.” It’s one of the most common phrases investors use. But let’s peel back the layers—what does it actually mean? And more importantly, how can you turn it into an opportunity? Here’s the truth: "Too early" is rarely about your stage or timeline. It’s often shorthand for one of these things: 1️⃣ "We’re not convinced you’ll succeed." Translation: Your story doesn’t inspire confidence yet. Solution: Strengthen your narrative. Showcase a clear, compelling vision and how you’ll dominate your niche. Highlight early wins or unique traction, even if it’s unconventional. Sometimes the most memorable stories come from unexpected results. 2️⃣ "Your market or timing doesn’t excite us." Translation: They don’t see the massive potential yet. Solution: Double down on market research and share how trends are shifting in your favor. Position your startup as a first-mover or category leader in an emerging market. Consider pivoting or re-framing your GTM strategy to highlight scalability and urgency. 3️⃣ "Your team isn’t giving us confidence." Translation: They’re not betting on the people, not just the idea. Solution: Bring on strong advisors or co-founders with a track record. Showcase how your team has successfully solved similar problems before. Share plans for hiring or upskilling to bridge perceived gaps. 4️⃣ "Your traction isn't enough." Translation: They want more proof of execution. Solution: Instead of waiting for more growth, focus on quality growth. Highlight engaged users, high retention, or unique customer insights. Showcase operational improvements—unit economics, LTV/CAC, or operational efficiency. Use creative pilots, pre-sales, or partnerships to demonstrate demand. 💡 Here’s the kicker: In 99% of cases, simply waiting for another 30-50% growth won’t change their mind. You need to fundamentally elevate your pitch, your proof points, or both. If you hear "too early," don’t take it as a door closing—it’s just feedback in disguise. Investors might not be ready for you now, but they will be if you do the work to shift their perspective. At aSquare Capital, we’ve seen founders turn "too early" into "let’s talk again—soon." And when they do, they come back with stronger narratives, bigger wins, and unstoppable confidence. 💬 Founders: How have you handled “you’re too early” feedback? Share your story below! #StartupJourney #Fundraising #InvestorRelations #GrowthStrategy #aSquareCapital

One of the biggest challenges for founders is accurately predicting the timeline for building a strong foundation. Factors like product-market fit, fundraising, and pivoting based on market needs can significantly impact the journey. Here are 5-7 considerations for founders navigating this path: 1. Embrace Uncertainty: The startup landscape is dynamic. Be prepared to pivot and adapt as needed. 2. Prioritize Product-Market Fit: Continuously validate your product with your target market. 3. Build a Strong Network: Relationships can be invaluable for fundraising, mentorship, and customer acquisition. 4. Secure Adequate Funding: While it's important to raise funds, avoid diluting your equity too early. 5. Focus on Customer Acquisition: Building a loyal customer base is essential for long-term success. 6. Measure and Iterate: Track key metrics and use data to inform your decisions. 7. Foster a Positive Company Culture: A strong company culture can attract and retain top talent. 8. Build a Support Group of Founders: Surround yourself with other founders who understand the challenges and can offer support, advice, and camaraderie. Remember, building a lasting company is a marathon, not a sprint. By focusing on these key considerations, you can lay a solid foundation for your startup's future." Enjoy this? Repost to your network and follow Ginger Menown for more. https://lnkd.in/gWbc8a_P Want to grow a profitable business and design your dream life? Book a discovery call with me at https://lnkd.in/gaJqNAwQ Join thousands who follow Insights & Inspiration Newsletter lnkd.in/gvPEGJcb