The Startup Hats

"I know I have a spotlight on me, and my team is looking at me to show them the way. What I've learned about over the years, and what you'll hear about in this chapter, is leadership is not about bei…

"The sales reps are the ears and eyes for potential customers. No matter how much YOU love your new business, your good idea only matters if people will pay for it. Your sales reps will be the first …

"Something a founder might be surprised about is the amount of negotiating he or she will do on a daily basis. Negotiating with vendors, with those first clients, recruits, initial investors, and eve…

"In my experience, the Manager's Hat is one of the most difficult hats to wear because founders simply can't clone themselves. How can you possibly trust others with your baby? How can you possibly b…

"I've hired family members, friends, former clients, people I've met at networking events, church, block parties - and even the guy from Craigslist I sold my iPhone to. And they're now some of my bes…

"Make sure you have an elevator pitch for multiple audiences. Don't wait too long before you start selling. The reality is you need to start selling day one, and you'll figure things out as you go.  …

"Regardless of the type of company you have, or the budget you can work with, the right marketing is critical for your success.
In this chapter, David Gardner provides practical and useful advice and…

 "Do you know what kind of company you’re building and what business you want to be in? How do you lay the right foundation? How do you get to a place where you have something that delivers a custome…

 "Fund raising can be all consuming, but it's absolutely necessary to the success of your business, both short-term and long-term" - David Morris, Managing Partner, Forrest Firm Durham. 

This is Chapt…

“A flower doesn’t blossom without the right nutrients, water, soil, and sunlight; and neither does a company. The journey of a founder is just that – a journey.  And while often unpredictable, priori…

"Hard work. Perseverance. Grind. It's a way of life for entrepreneurs. Startup Hats is one of my favorite books, and in this chapter venture capitalist David Gardner provides invaluable advice to tho…

You’re listening to “The Startup Hats: Master the Many Roles of the Entrepreneur” by David Gardner.  

David is a seven-time successful startup entrepreneur who now spends his time advising and investi…