In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will explore the complexities of encouraging their children to become entrepreneurs. With nearly 300 episodes discussing the founder's journey, they delve into whether they'd want their kids to follow the same path. They recount personal experiences, weigh the pros and cons, and discuss the importance of allowing their children to make their own decisions. The episode emphasizes providing the tools and support to foster independent choices rather than directing them towards entrepreneurship.

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https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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
00:00 Introduction: The Founder’s Dilemma
00:55 A Proud Yet Conflicted Parent
02:27 The Value of Experience
05:03 Balancing Passion and Practicality
08:10 Nurture vs. Nature in Entrepreneurship
09:59 The Role of Education and Constraints
16:21 The Reality of Entrepreneurship
18:56 Reflecting on Founders' Struggles
19:39 Balancing Optimism and Realism in Entrepreneurship
19:59 The Timeless Nature of Startup Challenges
21:31 Empathy and the Reality of Startup Therapy
23:10 The Impact of Parental Influence on Career Choices
25:23 Encouraging Authenticity in Children's Career Paths
30:12 Empowering Kids to Make Their Own Decisions
35:07 Final Thoughts on Raising Future Founders

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss the evolving landscape of entry-level hiring for startups. They dive into why U.S. college graduates have fallen to the fourth pick for entry-level positions, overtaken by AI, global talent, and experienced young professionals who leverage new tools and platforms to gain relevant skills. They explore the benefits of each hiring option, debunk common misconceptions about global talent, and outline how these changes empower startups to make smarter, more economical hiring decisions. The discussion offers valuable insights for startup founders navigating the challenges of building efficient teams under tight budgets.

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https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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
00:00 Introduction: The Changing Landscape of Entry-Level Talent
01:26 The Rise of AI in Startups
03:48 Global Talent: A New Frontier
07:30 Young and Hungry: The New Entry-Level
10:19 Challenges and Opportunities for College Grads
15:57 Resource Allocation in Startups
24:06 Stop Guessing and Get the Answers
24:16 The Global Talent Pool Advantage
25:15 Quality Concerns and Misconceptions
27:21 Parallel Validation in Startups
32:51 The Rise of Young and Hungry Talent
35:51 Evolving Job Market Expectations
39:50 The Changing Landscape of Hiring
45:20 Conclusion: Embrace the New Opportunities

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan and Will discuss the challenges of managing early-stage startup teams, particularly the high likelihood of turnover and the risks of handing out equity prematurely. They talk about the emotional toll of losing key team members and offer practical advice on creating vesting schedules and setting realistic expectations to safeguard against these common pitfalls. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of initial hires, the importance of flexibility, and the need to balance passion with practical considerations in team building.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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
00:00 Introduction to Startup Challenges
00:09 The Reality of Early Startup Teams
01:25 Startup Weekend Insights
02:38 The First Love Analogy
03:44 The Commitment Dilemma
04:24 Life Happens: Unplanned Disruptions
12:02 The Fragility of Equity-Based Compensation
13:45 Long-Term Team Dynamics
15:32 Understanding the Nature of Turnover
17:44 The Emotional Impact of Employee Departure
18:52 The Reality of Passion and Commitment
27:20 Equity Distribution and Vesting Schedules
31:50 Preparing for Inevitable Change

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter delve into the sacrifices that come with building startup companies. They explore the dangerous ambiguity of not having specific goals and timelines, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the costly trade-offs. Will reflects on his milestone birthday and the realization that 'later' never seems to arrive, sparking a discussion about the true worth of deferred happiness and success. The conversation underscores the importance of quantifying goals and ensuring that sacrifices made today lead to genuinely rewarding outcomes. They emphasize that the journey must be carefully balanced with immediate gratification to avoid a future riddled with regret. Through vivid storytelling, they highlight the crucial lessons for founders on how to navigate the complex landscape of ambition, sacrifice, and personal fulfillment.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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

00:21 The Danger of Vague Goals

00:57 Personal Reflections on Sacrifice

02:16 Quantifying Sacrifices and Rewards

04:03 The Reality of Sacrifice

05:27 Anecdotes of Sacrifice

15:08 The Moment of Truth

18:04 The Grand Experiment in Beverly Hills

18:36 The Struggles of Finding a Home in LA

19:07 Realizing the Cost of Living in Bel Air

20:34 Questioning the Move: A Moment of Clarity

23:10 The Decision to Return to Columbus

23:21 Reflecting on Sacrifices and Rewards

25:42 The Founder's Paradox: Happiness vs. Sacrifice

28:31 The Reality of Achieving Success

35:27 Balancing Sacrifice and Returns

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Startups.com founder Will Schroter discuss the unrealistic expectations that many startup founders have when it comes to selling their business. They detail the common pitfalls and misconceptions about startup valuation, the differences between raising capital and selling, the realities of private equity, and the dangers of deferred compensation. With insights from their own experiences of buying and selling companies, Ryan and Will provide a candid look at how to navigate the tricky world of startup acquisitions and set more realistic expectations for exit strategies.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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
00:00 Introduction to Startup Acquisitions

00:16 Realistic Expectations in Business Sales

01:09 Understanding the Acquisition Process

01:37 Our Acquisition Experience

02:29 Challenges in Closing Deals

04:31 The Importance of Direct Communication

07:08 The White Knight Fallacy

13:07 Investor Expectations vs. Reality

20:35 The Figma Acquisition: A Case Study

21:12 Understanding Market Leadership and Valuation

21:44 The Reality of Acquisition Multiples

24:53 The Spectrum of Potential Buyers

26:07 Private Equity: The Predatory Buyer

28:32 The Harsh Truths of Selling a Startup

32:53 Cash vs. Deferred Compensation

39:15 Managing Expectations in Startup Exits

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss the often overlooked costs of ambition in the startup world. They explore how ambition, while necessary for building innovative companies, can become a debilitating force, leading to severe health issues, strained relationships, and emotional burnout. Using personal anecdotes and analogies, they emphasize the importance of recognizing the tipping point where ambition becomes more detrimental than beneficial, and advocate for a balanced approach to sustain long-term personal and professional health.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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
00:00 Introduction to Ambition in the Startup World
00:30 The Double-Edged Sword of Ambition
01:27 The Escalating Costs of Ambition
02:18 Ambition's Impact on Founders' Lives
05:22 Personal Stories of Ambition and Sacrifice
12:52 The Cultural Reward of Sacrifice
16:16 Understanding Technical Debt and Burnout
16:58 The Hidden Costs of Ambition
17:06 Financial Struggles and Early Warning Signs
18:20 Impact on Relationships
20:40 Mental Well-being and Isolation
23:55 The Ultimate Price: Physical Health
27:12 A Rational Perspective on Work-Life Balance
28:46 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode we discuss the current state of the startup ecosystem, which they describe as a 'silent recession.' Despite economic indicators suggesting otherwise, many startup founders are struggling with reduced capital flow and stagnating customer acquisition. The episode delves into the effects of the economic downturn on startups, the impact of investor behavior, and the historical context leading up to the current situation. Ryan and Will emphasize the importance of resetting expectations, adopting a survival mindset, and making tough decisions to ensure longevity in this challenging environment. While this period is difficult, there is always light at the end of the tunnel for those who can weather the storm.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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 Silent Recession in Startup Land
00:38 The Reality of Founders' Struggles
02:25 Economic Indicators vs. Founders' Experiences
04:39 The COVID-19 Economic Magic Trick
06:03 The Shift in Startup Funding Dynamics
11:15 The Onset of Economic Challenges
12:20 The Impact on Startup Operations
16:14 VCs Halt Investments
16:50 Impact on Startups
17:35 IPO Implosions
18:20 VCs' Strategic Pause
19:56 The Domino Effect
22:56 Navigating the Downturn
27:39 Survival Strategies
31:37 Looking Ahead
33:07 Join the Startups.com Community

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeder navigate the complexities founders face regarding success and societal scrutiny. They delve into the common critiques founders encounter about their profits and perceived entitlement while emphasizing that success should be celebrated not vilified. The conversation provides a detailed look at the multiple layers of taxation startups endure and the misconceptions surrounding founder wealth. They also highlight the emotional toll and risk involved in building a startup, offering insights into the importance of supporting founders and normalizing success.

Sign up for the Startups Newsletter
https://www.startups.com/newsletter

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:
00:00 Introduction to the Startup Therapy Podcast
00:46 The Stigma of Founders' Success
04:47 The Burden of Taxes on Founders
13:55 The Lack of Support During Failure
16:06 Reflecting on College Days and Financial Struggles
16:25 The Reality of Startup Life
17:25 Deserving Success and the Guilt Complex
18:50 Comparing Founders to Other Professions
21:36 The Value of Innovation and Hard Work
25:36 Addressing Income Inequality and Fairness
28:42 Encouraging Charitable Giving and Community Support
30:12 Join the Startups.com Community