Not For Public Consumption
Hi, I’m Diane Tarshis — a strategic startup consultant and founder of Startup Distillery, where I partner with entrepreneurs who are experts in what they do, but have never built a business before. Together we dive into the details of their vision so we can dial in their business model and financial roadmap — giving them the clarity and guidance they need to grow and get funded. I’ve spent the last 20-plus years helping entrepreneurs from all walks of life build successful businesses and get funded. Some have become leaders in their industry, others have made multimillion-dollar exits, while still others have achieved their dream of a life that gives them flexibility and financial freedom. This podcast is for the founders who want to skip the trial and error and fast-track profitability by learning what the rest of the pack wish they'd known from the get-go.
- Update frequency
- every 42 days
- Average duration
- 6 minutes
- Episodes
- 32
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2024
During the Pandemic, Focus on What You CAN Do
With all of us so distanced from each other, I’ve posted a video version of this episode so we can all feel a little more connected. Check it out at startupdistillery.com/pandemic.
So much seems up in…
The Difference Between Profit & Loss and Cash Flow Projections
Profit and cash are not the same thing. Believe it or not, a company can be profitable and still go out of business. How? By running short on cash (also known as a cash crunch).
Since I want you to su…
Financial Projections Explained (Even If You’re Not a Numbers Person)
Numbers not your thing? Today’s episode is designed to help you not only get comfortable with financial projections, but understand them.
I promise I'll take it slow.
In this episode you will learn:
- The…
Financial Vocabulary for People Who Hate Numbers
Hate numbers? You are not alone. But figuring out how much money you’ll need is a necessary evil. Words help tell part of your story. The other part – the numbers – need to support that story. That m…
How to Interview Customers to Get the Critical Market Data You Need
Understanding your customer is the single most important element in building a successful business — and interviews are the key to understanding them. But interviewing isn’t something a lot of us hav…
Customer Personas: What They Are (and Why They're Indispensable)
While you’re certainly not required to develop customer personas, you’ll be limiting your chances of success by skipping them.
If you don't know what they are, sit tight and I’ll explain why it's a ma…
5 Steps to Finding Your Target Customers
In this episode you will learn:
- How to figure out who your ideal customers are.
- The essential things you need to learn about them.
- The 5 steps you need to take to find them.
Resources:
Advice I’m Giving Right Now: How to Start a Business and Keep Your Day Job
So you have a great idea for a business – something that has real potential – but you’re not ready to give up a steady paycheck (or the benefits).
Great news! You can start a business and keep your da…
3 Alternative Funding Options for Your Startup
Even though I’m a big believer in bootstrapping, sometimes there’s just no avoiding the need to raise capital.
Most entrepreneurs immediately think: investors. But that’s not your only choice – and i…
3 Times When Taking On Investors Makes Sense
Just because everyone talks about investors as the be-all end-all doesn’t mean you need them to build a successful business. (Pssst! You’re usually better off without them.)
Nonetheless, there’s no d…
The Downside of Professional Investors
When you’re starting a business, finding investors may seem like the answer to all your problems. But in most cases you’d be wrong.
It’s not that I don’t believe in the value of investors, because I d…
3 Things Every Startup Needs
Imagine a stool with only one or two legs. Pretty wobbly. Just as every stool needs three legs, so, too, does your startup. Here are the three things you need to get it right from the start.
In this e…