UnMBA

Want to watch our full #unMBA conversations? We've heard you! 💥So grateful for the incredible feedback and support, by popular demand we are excited to launch a new, long-form format and share our entire interviews. Part 1 of 3 with @Lauren Siff goes deep into the origination of the business and overcoming those initial challenges. Tune for part 2 & 3 coming soon! #startup #entrepreneurship

Avoid this mistake! Prototypes are the first steps, not an MVP! …stay tuned for the full length Part 1 with @Lauren Siff! #unmba When starting up, you don't need a product—you need something real to demonstrate. Not an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). Why? Because MVP assumes it's viable, which means it takes the business model into consideration. At the very early stages, you're not there yet. Instead, focus on low-fidelity prototypes that help you communicate, validate, and learn fast. Here's what I mean: 1️⃣ Value Proposition on Paper Put the idea down in its simplest form: What are you trying to do, and for whom? This forces you to clarify the value and helps others quickly validate whether it resonates. Sometimes, the most powerful prototype is just a conversation starter. 2️⃣ Mockups & Storyboards Whether it's rough screen captures, napkin sketches, or straws and glue—help people visualize. Prototypes don't have to be functional; they just need to make the solution real enough for your audience to understand and react to it. 3️⃣ Wizard of Oz It looks like a finished solution to the user, but behind the curtain? It's all manual, stitched together, and hacked. You're simulating the experience without building the tech. Think of it as validating the illusion before committing to the reality. 🔑 Key takeaway: The goal isn't to build the product; it's to learn—quickly, cheaply, and effectively. You need something tangible to show the world what you're doing and get feedback that matters. Skip the MVP (for now). Start with a low-fidelity prototype that gets you closer to solving a real problem. #startups #leanstartup #entrepreneurship

Everyone needs to hear this — especially founders, on repeat… Starting a business is one of the hardest things you can do—stress, long hours, sacrifices, and constant problem-solving. If you're not deeply aligned with your purpose, burnout is just around the corner. #unMBA I'm a huge fan of the Japanese philosophy of #Ikigai. It's a framework that helps you uncover what truly makes life fulfilling, and for founders, it's absolutely essential. Ikigai helps you find that sweet spot by asking: 1️⃣ What do you love to do? Passion is what gets you up every morning, even when the going gets tough. What work feels so natural that you want to keep doing it? 2️⃣ What are you good at? Skill matters. If you're playing to your strengths, you'll find ways to add unique value that others can't easily replicate. 3️⃣ What can you get paid for? Let's be real—this part is crucial. A business that isn't financially viable isn't sustainable, no matter how much you love it. 4️⃣ What does the world need? Alignment with real-world problems gives your work meaning. It's also how you connect with customers, create value, and make an impact. *The magic happens where these intersect.* For founders, understanding your Ikigai can be a game-changer. It keeps you grounded through the inevitable ups and downs. It reminds you why you started and where you're going, helping you navigate the stress and sacrifices that come with the journey. #startups #entrepreneurship

Here's what I've learned that helps keep the wheels turning when starting a #business that no one ever talks about…. #unmba It is an emotional rollercoaster…the the financial stress, the sacrifices you'll make—time, relationships, and parts of yourself you really care about. It's an uphill climb, and at times, it feels insurmountable. But not impossible especially if you build your inner circles with the RIGHT people: 1️⃣ Surround yourself with truth-tellers. You need people who care so much about your success that they'll give it to you straight. Not just encouragement when you're doing well, but also honest feedback on where you're slipping—or could do better. 2️⃣ Be wary of cheerleaders. It feels great to have people hyping you up, but if they're not helping you get better or move forward, how much value is it really adding? Encouragement is nice, but progress needs real substance. 3️⃣ Avoid relentless critics—but keep an open mind. Some people will just point out why your idea won't work, with no solutions or offers to help. Those voices can drain your energy fast. BUT—even harsh critics sometimes highlight risks you need to consider. Don't ignore the criticism outright; ask yourself if it's relevant, and then move on. 🔑 Key takeaway: #Entrepreneurship will test you in ways you didn't expect. But with the right people around you—those who are honest, constructive, and invested in your journey—you'll come out stronger. #startups

Customer discovery is NOT the destination—it's a means to an end. These are hard earned lessons for customer discovery from 100s of founders we work with... #unMBA Far too many founders get stuck in the endless loop of customer discovery, chasing the mythical unicorn idea, instead of identifying a short-term option to get into the market and start building traction. Yes, customer discovery is a massive upfront investment, but it has to end at some point so you can focus on selling and operating. Here's how to shift from "playing startup" to actually building a business: 1️⃣ Customer discovery should aim for a transaction. If your discovery process isn't driving toward selling something, you're spinning your wheels. Conversations, surveys, and interviews are all important—but if you're not working toward a solution someone will pay for, you're stuck in theory, not practice. 2️⃣ The first version doesn't have to be the endgame. Early traction isn't about achieving your ultimate vision; it's about creating something sellable that extends your runway. Ask yourself: "What can I get to market now to generate cash flow, even if it's not perfect?" Selling early lets you prove there's a market and keeps the business alive long enough to evolve. 3️⃣ Be disciplined about what you're learning. Are your discovery efforts laser-focused on testing mission-critical assumptions? Or are you meandering too broadly, chasing insights that won't move the needle? Focus deeply in areas that matter most to getting a product to market and scaling. 🔑 Key takeaway: Customer discovery is a tool, not a crutch. At some point, you've got to stop theorizing and start doing. The founders who win are the ones who get into the market, test the waters with real customers, and iterate in real-time—not the ones who sit on the sidelines trying to perfect the game plan. #startups #entrepreneurship

This is one of the biggest risks to any new business and often overlooked - especially when fundraising: talent acquisition and retention. #unMBA When you're pitching to investors and asking for funds to hire, you're not just asking for cash—you're asking them to believe you can build a winning team. Talent is everything, and if you don't have a solid plan to attract and retain the right people, you're introducing major risk to your business. Here's how to approach this with investors: 1️⃣ Quality of talent matters. Be crystal clear about the skills and expertise you need to succeed. If you can't articulate why a certain role is critical or how gaps in talent increase risk, you'll lose credibility. Show you've thought deeply about what success looks like for these hires. 2️⃣ Do your homework. Investors will expect you to know: Compensation benchmarks: What's the average pay for similar roles in your area, including the low and high ends? -Talent pool size: How many qualified candidates are out there? -Market competition: How fierce is the fight for this talent? -Knowing these answers shows you're prepared and have a realistic view of the hiring landscape. 3️⃣ Understand the tradeoffs. Can you reasonably attract someone away from their current role? If so, is your compensation package strong enough to keep them around long term? Hiring is expensive, and turnover is even more costly. If your strategy doesn't address retention, you're risking your ability to scale. 🔑 Key takeaway: When asking investors for funding to grow your team, don't just talk about what you need. Show them you've got a concrete plan to secure the right people—and keep them. Investors want to see you've de-risked this critical piece of the puzzle. #startups #entrepreneurship

Did you know this? Early stage investments are down 42% since 2021, this is a big reason why…. #unMBA One of the biggest challenges in early-stage funding is founders trying to follow outdated pitching formulas, like the old Sequoia method, which might have worked five years ago but feels forced and formulaic today. Investors have seen it all, and frankly, they're tired of founders "making stuff up" to fit a mold. Here's the truth: If you're raising less than $1M, the process is way more personal than flashy. It comes down to three things: 1️⃣ Can investors trust you? The first thing they're assessing is you. Who are you as a person? Are you someone they believe can navigate the chaos of a startup? Trust is your foundation—everything else is secondary. 2️⃣ Can you clearly pitch the idea and vision? Forget the perfect slide deck. Investors want to hear the gist. What's the opportunity? Why does it matter, who cares?!? If you can't articulate it simply and compellingly, no fancy pitch template will save you. 3️⃣ Are you transparent about risk? Investors know early-stage startups come with uncertainty—it's part of the game. What they don't want is surprises. Be upfront about what you know, what you don't know, and how you plan to de-risk the investment. This level of honesty is rare and makes you stand out. The move isn't to fake certainty; it's to show that you're thoughtful, honest, and prepared. Combine that transparency with a compelling story, and you'll build trust in a way most founders overlook. 🔑 Key takeaway: Investors aren't looking for perfection—they're looking for people they can believe in. Stop faking it. Start building trust by being real, clear, and upfront about the journey ahead. #startups #investors #entrepreneurship

We had so much fun at Trevor Spires Generative AI made simple workshop, and we wanted go give everyone the insider view and demo if you missed it! If you want to see the code and screenshots, they are included at the end :) #unmba #rvatech

Financial stress can break a founder faster than anything else. Let's be real—starting a business is hard enough without the added pressure of wondering how you'll pay rent next month. Financial stress doesn't just drain your bank account; it drains your mental, emotional, and physical energy, leaving little room to focus on what matters: building your business. #unMBA That's why one of the smartest moves you can make is finding ways to supplement your income while working on your startup. Think of it as "buying time" to keep going without burning out. Here's how it helps: 1️⃣ Less stress on paying bills. Knowing your basic expenses are covered frees up headspace. You can't make good decisions when financial pressure is weighing you down. 2️⃣ Balance for your mindshare. Look for jobs or gigs that don't deplete you mentally, emotionally, or physically. The goal is to earn enough to stay afloat without exhausting the energy you need to focus on your business. 3️⃣ Extend your runway. A side income can give you the breathing room to refine your idea, test your product, and build traction—without rushing decisions or scaling prematurely. 🔑 Key takeaway: As a founder, you're playing a game of buying time. The longer you can stay in the game, the better your chances of building something sustainable. Don't let financial stress take you out. Find a way to balance earning and building until your business can stand on its own. #startup #entrepreneurship #wellness

This is one of the most common questions by founders. Here's the reality: If you're not laser-focused on understanding your customers, you're building on guesses. And guesses don't scale. Here's how prioritizing customer discovery transforms your business. #unMBA 1️⃣ Identify real problems and pain points to solve. Don't just assume you know what customers need. Ask them. Listen. Then go back and confirm. The goal isn't to validate your idea—it's to validate their pain. 2️⃣ Continually test your solutions. Engage with those same customers to see if your solution hits the mark. Keep refining until you reach a critical milestone: customers start advocating for your product or service on their own. Referrals = proof of value. 3️⃣ Don't scale until it's validated. Scaling a guess is a fast way to burn time, money, and credibility. Double down on discovery, get to the truth, and build a solution you know your customers want before you go big. Customer discovery isn't glamorous, but it's the foundation of everything. Skip it, and you'll be stuck solving imaginary problems. Nail it, and you'll create something your customers not only need but want to tell others about. 🔑 Key takeaway: Jumping ahead is tempting, but the biggest ROI comes from digging into discovery. Solve real problems, test your solutions relentlessly, and build a foundation that scales. #startups #entrepreneurship #CustomerDiscovery