Creating Supportive Resources for Entrepreneurs
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Chapter 1: The Need for Middle Ground in Entrepreneurial Support
In my quest to nurture more effective entrepreneurs, I have penned two blog posts weekly since January 2019, totaling over 250 entries and nearly half a million words. These writings offer practical insights valuable to both seasoned and novice founders.
While the majority of these posts are accessible for free, I have received numerous messages expressing gratitude for the impact they’ve had. However, I acknowledge that none of these articles contained a secret formula to transform a small startup into a thriving unicorn.
As a formal startup consultant, I charge significant fees to share my extensive experience gained from founding and advising numerous startups. This professional guidance has propelled a select few startups to unprecedented heights, but what about the countless others?
Despite the extensive content of my blog, it often benefits many startups only marginally. Similarly, while my consulting sessions are highly effective for a few, they are not feasible for all.
It has always perplexed me that adequate resources are scarce for startups that require more support than a blog post yet do not need a part-time executive constantly driving them toward their goals.
To address this gap, I founded Teaching Startup nearly a decade ago. Over the years, it has undergone various transformations and adaptations to better meet the needs of entrepreneurs. This iterative process highlights the complexities involved in solving intricate issues, often resulting in failures.
The latest version of Teaching Startup has gained traction. As I enter the second year of this model, I’m encouraged by the positive feedback from numerous paying customers who find genuine value in it.
Although the model will continue to adapt, my decade-long journey of trial and error has provided me with a clear understanding of the problem's scope. This leads us to a pivotal question:
Why do entrepreneurs hesitate to seek help?
Section 1.1: The Challenge of Finding Relevant Resources
Searching for startup advice online can be disheartening. While there are countless blog posts available, pinpointing the exact topic and solution relevant to one's unique situation can be frustrating.
Moreover, when you do find a piece addressing your concern, it’s often designed to attract readers rather than provide practical solutions. This broad approach frequently leaves specific issues unaddressed.
I strive to offer actionable, insightful, and candid advice. While this resonates with a niche audience of serious entrepreneurs, it doesn’t always garner widespread attention. Thus, Teaching Startup prioritizes delivering straightforward, valuable information without chasing likes or views.
Subsection 1.1.1: Learning Through Community
Prior to Teaching Startup, I created ExitEvent, a network that facilitated connections among entrepreneurs. The Startup Social, a feature of ExitEvent, brought together entrepreneurs to share experiences and knowledge in a casual setting.
From these gatherings, I learned that entrepreneurs often found as much value in others’ questions as they did in answers to their own. This realization shaped the model for Teaching Startup, emphasizing community learning.
Section 1.2: The Pitfall of Generic Advice
Two types of advice particularly frustrate me:
- Work Harder: Simply exerting more effort won’t resolve issues. Competing by working harder is a futile strategy, as rivals will always match or exceed your efforts.
- Clichés: While I appreciate metaphors and anecdotes, relying solely on these can be infuriating. Such advice often serves to make the advisor appear knowledgeable while leaving the advisee without clear direction.
The most effective guidance is not merely “Here’s what you should do,” but rather, “Here’s what I did.” This principle is a cornerstone of Teaching Startup.
Chapter 2: The Cost of Traditional Support
The true value of any service can be measured in terms of its contribution. If I can significantly enhance the value of a project, my worth increases accordingly. Conversely, if my impact is minimal, my services can be offered at a lower price.
However, the issue lies not in cost but in the entrenched norms. For years, we’ve been conditioned to believe that learning occurs primarily through books or formal instruction.
With today’s technology, automation, and on-demand resources, why are the primary options for startup assistance still limited to blog posts or expensive consulting sessions?
Although alternatives exist, such as equity-based compensation for advisors, the reality remains: you often receive what you pay for.
As an entrepreneur myself, I am comfortable navigating technology and automation. With this knowledge, I’ve positioned Teaching Startup at just $10 a month—less than one percent of the cost of traditional advisory services—delivering substantial support without unnecessary frills.
Not every entrepreneur requires a costly in-house expert. Teaching Startup caters to the vast middle ground, aiming to cultivate more and better entrepreneurs.
Try it out for free and see if it meets your needs. You can opt for the weekly newsletter without entering credit card details or subscribe for a 30-day trial of the complete online archive. Use the invite code MIDDLE to enjoy your first month for just $5 after the trial. Following that, it’s only $10 a month.
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