“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 being the smartest or the loudest in the room. It’s about listening and gathering information…

“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 to know if you have product market fit. If every deal is an uphill battle, it may…

“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 eventually with the people or companies who are looking to buy the business. Through it all, founders need to know tactics and tricks…

“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 be comfortable with someone carrying on a task in a different way than you would approach it? If you’re hoping to…

“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 best employees. You ALWAYS need to be recruiting. The success of your company will live and die based on the people…

“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.  You also don’t want to be a rhinoceros. You don’t want to be someone who’s got a big head…

“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 free marketing tactics that every entrepreneur needs to know” – Amie Thompson, CEO, Creative Allies This is Chapter 5: The Marketer’s…

“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 customer experience that your customers value and appreciate and are willing to pay for? And how do…

“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 Chapter 3: The Banker’s Hat. The author of Startup Hats is David Gardner, a seven-time successful startup entrepreneur who now spends his time advising and…

“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, prioritizing just enough structure to cultivate the creative vision increases the probability for success.” – Molly Demarest, Former General Manager of American Underground….