Category: Entrepreneurship
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The Entrepreneur’s Library: What to Read (And When to Read It)
Finally I’m putting together my thoughts to have a better reply when I get asked: “What’s the one book I should read before starting a business?” The honest answer? There isn’t one. The book you need on Day 1 is useless on Day 1,000, and the book that saves you during a crisis will just…
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The First-Timer’s Paradox: Why Confidence Doesn’t Come From Success, It Comes From Surviving Failure
You’re sitting there with thirty browser tabs open, a half-finished pitch deck, and a stomach full of knots. You’re waiting for that “click”—the moment you finally feel like a real entrepreneur. You’ve convinced yourself that once you land the first client, or hit that revenue milestone, the Imposter Syndrome will pack its bags and leave.…
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The “Wunderkind” Myth: Why Your Best Years for Entrepreneurship Are Ahead, Not Behind You
If you look at the media—or the hoodie-wearing pattern-matching of Silicon Valley—you’d think entrepreneurship is a young person’s game. The narrative is seductive: a 20-year-old college dropout with a prophetic vision and a “move fast and break things” appetite for risk. Here’s the problem: That story is a statistical anomaly, not a rule. If you’re…
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Accomplishment Without Burnout: A Review of “Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport
In the Marine Corps, we had a saying: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” Rushed, frantic action gets people hurt. You learn to move with deliberate, focused intensity. When I entered the startup world, I was shocked to see leaders celebrating chaos as a sign of progress. Cal Newport’s new book, Slow Productivity, finally…
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The Boss’s Golden Rule: Stop Managing Yourself Like a Tyrant
Imagine you’ve got an employee—one who works hard, gives their best, and genuinely cares about the success of the business. But sometimes, life throws them curveballs: a sick day, a challenging client, or a complicated project that hits a snag. What would you do as their boss? You’d probably encourage them. You’d tell them it’s…
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The Bootstrapper’s Bible: 9 Steps to Entrepreneurial Resourcefulness
As an aspiring entrepreneur, financial constraints shouldn’t hold you back. Embrace the Bootstrapping Principle, fostering a resourceful mindset that prioritizes creativity and value creation over spending. By exploring innovative strategies like collaboration and repurposing, you can elevate your entrepreneurial journey, build essential networks, and achieve success without breaking the bank.
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How to Get More Clients With a Ladder of Services
Building a thriving business is a journey that requires careful planning and a deep understanding of your target audience. One effective strategy for guiding potential clients through this journey is to implement a “ladder of services.” What is a Ladder of Services? A ladder of services is a framework that offers a progression of products…
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Coaching Companion Tips for New Clients
Successful coaching depends on a relationship and mutual communication. If you want to get the absolute most out of that coaching relationship, I cannot recommend The Coaching Companion too much. This book provides an in-depth approach to clients for maximizing the value and minimizing the friction in their coaching journey. The Coaching Companion Entering into a coaching…
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My Book Recommendations for First-Time (Startup) Managers
Taking on your first role as a manager is always daunting — and especially challenging in a startup environment. So many people have asked me for my recommendations for this situation, so I finally put together some thoughts! Fortunately, there are many great books that offer practical advice and guidance for those who are looking…
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How Entrepreneurs Can Escape Idea Volcano Deaths
Generating ideas can be your greatest strength. It can also be your Achilles Heel. Have you created many business ideas, bought web domains, maybe sketched logos, only to give up on those ideas and try something else? Do ideas seem to erupt in your mind, especially when there’s real work to be done? I call…