Category: Founder Care

The Bravest Phrase I met a founder recently who quickly won me over. We had a conversation about his business. We bounced around why he started the company, his vision

Relentless State of Negotiation Everyone wants something. Your investors want more of your company if it’s succeeding and less if it’s not. Your employees want more salary, equity, benefits, and

Giving Thanks It’s a common scene. We sit around the Thanksgiving table, raise a glass to our loved ones and give thanks for the abundance in our lives (and continue

Everything Comes Down To Trust — Finding the Right Co-Founder For Your Start-up. The other day someone asked me how to find the right co-founder for their startup. This is what I

Recognize the Signs of a Depleted Emotional Gas Tank I’ve learned to pay attention to my little clues. I wake up feeling unrested. I’m in a conversation, yet my mind

Fifty Summers Left I only have 50 summers left. I’m approaching 45 years old. That’s not being dark or cynical. It’s being real. I likely only have 50 summers left.

The Pleaser CEO I believe a CEO’s role is threefold: Set the organizational direction. Build a great team. Secure the resources needed to win. But not all CEOs operate with

Frantic Founder Syndrome You’re 30 minutes late (again). You’re answering a text while listening in on a conference call, while (kind of) participating in a conversation with your colleague while

Your Startup Is An Ugly Baby… Here’s How to Raise It As the founder of ETW Advisors, I have the good fortune of working with dozens of entrepreneurs every week.

Stop F*cking Begging I know you’re a startup. I know it feels like you’re often just begging for crumbs. But stop. Please, for the love of all that’s holy, stop.