Avoiding the Traps of Overconfidence: Five Lessons for New Entrepreneurs with Ty Smith

What if the biggest obstacle to your startup’s success is… you? In this episode of Five with Fry, I sit down with veteran lean startup consultant Tyrome "Ty" Smith to unpack the common missteps that trip up new entrepreneurs—like overconfidence, skipping market research, and asking the wrong questions.

Ty shares wisdom from 25+ years of experience, breaking down why customer discovery isn’t just a box to check—it’s the heartbeat of any successful business. You’ll learn how to conduct meaningful customer interviews, avoid the trap of false validation, and embrace the emotional resilience needed to adapt and grow. Inspired by Frank Gehry’s advice not to fall in love with your first idea, this conversation is a must-listen for founders navigating the messy, exciting world of entrepreneurship.

Stay curious, stay bold, and—most importantly—keep asking the right questions. Got a topic you want us to cover? Let us know!

More about Ty: Tyrome ‘Ty’ Smith has over 25 years of consulting and leading executives and their teams by helping them understand human and organizational dynamics. As part of his work, He developed an innovative education program for the Department of Defense, including coaching and mentoring product development teams engaged in an internal incubator. In addition, he has provided support to several organizations either as faculty or entrepreneur-in-residence, including Bowie State University, University of Maryland Innovation Extension Program, StreetCode Academy, Digital Undivided, and TechStars. Connect with him on LinkedIn.