Startup Therapy

How entrepreneurship can transform lives and communities? Will shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur. They explore whether entrepreneurship can be a means to alleviate poverty, emphasizing the importance of hope, a safety net, and access to education and mentorship. The conversation dives deep into the potential impact of entrepreneurial initiatives on economic development and the need for structured support to foster entrepreneurial success on a global scale. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders  Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:40 The Power of Entrepreneurship to Alleviate Poverty 01:17 Personal Stories of Entrepreneurial Beginnings 02:34 The Ripple Effect of Entrepreneurship 03:38 Teaching Entrepreneurship as a Lifelong Skill 04:46 Hope as the Foundation of Entrepreneurship 05:37 Early Wins and Their Impact 07:17 The Importance of Small Wins 08:20 The Role of Hope and Pride in Entrepreneurship 12:15 The Willingness to Fail 22:49 The Risk of Failure for the Broke 23:45 Historical Context and Immigrant Success Stories 24:46 The Luxury of Credit and Capital 27:03 Entrepreneur Welfare and Venture Capital 29:14 The Case for Minimum Basic Income for Founders 29:40 The Parallel with Education and FAFSA 38:47 The Need for Structured Entrepreneurship Education 39:47 The Role of Hope and Security in Entrepreneurship 45:46 Entrepreneurship as a Solution to Poverty 47:34 Join the Startups.com Community

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges and dynamics of blending friendship and professionalism in startups. They delve into the potential pitfalls of treating your startup team like a family, the consequences on both founders and employees, and the importance of setting clear boundaries. They highlight shared experiences from their early careers and emphasize the need for empathy, respect, and a professional approach to lead effectively without compromising authority. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders  Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:08 The Illusion of Startup as a Family 00:55 Early Career and Peer Dynamics 01:50 The Reality of Founder-Employee Relationships 03:46 The Pitfalls of Treating Employees as Family 05:54 Transparency in Startups: A Double-Edged Sword 07:13 Shared Risk and Misinterpreted Bonds 09:32 The Inevitable Strain on Relationships 12:17 The Limits of Friendship in Startups 16:18 The Evolution of Team Dynamics 18:12 A Throwback to Early Company Culture 18:31 The Impact of a New Hire 19:19 Cultural Misalignment and Realization 20:15 Adjusting Company Culture 21:43 Balancing Professionalism and Empathy 22:50 The Importance of Boundaries 24:18 The Dangers of Forced Inclusivity 28:24 Personal Experiences with Cultural Fit 32:20 The Family vs. Professional Sports Team Metaphor 36:42 Final Thoughts on Company Culture

Ryan and Will talk about the growing role of AI in startups. They explore how AI is automating traditional founder tasks like writing, coding, and analyzing data. The conversation delves into the existential threat AI poses to the founder's role and how founders can adapt to this new landscape. They argue that founders should embrace AI to focus on creativity, curation, and leadership rather than being bogged down by routine tasks. The episode underscores the importance of evolving with technology to enhance productivity and innovation, ultimately redefining the founder's job description for the future. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders  Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:34 Can AI Replace Founders? 01:16 The Evolution of AI Capabilities 02:03 AI's Impact on Copywriting and Creativity 03:28 AI in Advertising and Idea Generation 04:44 Embracing AI for Efficiency 06:31 AI as a Force Multiplier 09:44 The Future of AI and Founders 14:36 AI in Coding and Development 17:08 Leveraging AI for Business Growth 19:13 Simulating Business Scenarios with AI 19:38 The Role of AI in Business Decision Making 19:53 The Timeless Nature of Business Challenges 20:48 Embracing AI for Efficiency 21:12 The Unique Human Element in Business 23:40 The Future of Founders in an AI-Driven World 25:50 The Evolution of Founders' Roles 28:05 Leadership and Determination in Business 30:47 The Importance of Vision and Adaptability

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will talk about what happens when you hit all your big goals and realize there might not be any more mountains left to climb. They discuss the complex feelings and identity crises that can emerge when success is achieved, and reflect on how to find new meaning and satisfaction beyond traditional goal-setting. The conversation touches on personal anecdotes, the concept of enjoying the process, and how to appreciate the journey in a fulfilling way. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders  Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:27 The Identity Crisis of Achieving Goals 01:05 Personal Reflections on Goal Setting 02:25 The Evolution of Goals Over Time 04:14 The Reality of Achieving Big Goals 07:04 The Trap of Sensationalizing Goals 10:58 The Diminishing Returns of Goal Achievement 19:06 The Two Paths of Goal Setting: Pleasure vs. Pain 20:40 Understanding Pain and Relief 21:42 The Myth of Success Equals Happiness 22:32 Existential Goals and Realizations 23:31 The Challenge of Finding Fulfillment 25:23 Enjoying the Journey vs. The Destination 29:12 Reevaluating Ambitions and Goals 33:11 Building for the Sake of Creation 36:59 Infinite Games and Lifelong Pursuits

Will and Ryan talk about the fascinating and often overlooked journey of reinventing oneself. Will shares his diverse background, from being an ad guy to becoming a multi-time startup founder, and stresses the importance of embracing various roles to build a comprehensive skill set. The duo emphasizes that becoming a founder isn't a job you get hired for but one you create yourself. They explore how personal and professional reinvention can be the key to success in the startup world, encouraging founders to see themselves as a composite of their varied experiences. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, practical advice, and an inspiring message: you are not confined to one identity or role — your potential is ever-evolving. Resources: Startup Therapy Podcast  https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy Website https://www.startups.com/begin LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/ Join our Network of Top Founders  Wil Schroter https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/ Ryan Rutan https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/ What to listen for: 00:43 The Journey to Becoming a Founder 01:28 Reinventing Yourself as a Founder 02:31 The Value of Diverse Experiences 03:55 A Humorous Job List 08:11 The Role of Exposure in Career Choices 13:06 Breaking Free from Career Constraints 19:46 Early Career Hustles 20:22 Learning from Experience 20:53 First Sales Job 21:30 Unexpected Opportunities 23:22 Reinvention Starts Small 24:06 Curiosity and Career Growth 26:14 Building Skills Over Time 28:04 The Power of Starting Small 30:10 Embracing Continuous Learning 32:21 The Value of Diverse Experiences 39:59 Reinventing Yourself as a Founder