Idea to Startup

Today we're going to start yet another startup in 7(ish) minutes. We'll flesh out an idea and figure out how to test it using four key questions. The problem we'll solve is parking in NYC. As always, if anyone wants to run with this - please do. Reach out if you do. This problem needs a solution. 

• Tacklebox

The 100th episode of Idea to Startup dives into the most important thing our entrepreneurs with jobs have done to make progress - purposefully designing their lives so that inertia pulls them towards growth, not inaction. We go through how you can design your life to make progress on your startup the norm with a little help from Brian's grandfather, Poppy.

• Tacklebox

The best entrepreneurs choose what they compete against. They stack the deck so their product is overwhelmingly better than the alternative. The key to this is choosing the category your customer sees you in. Choose the category and you'll be able to dictate your competitors and ensure you have a good chance to win. Today we'll talk about choosing categories with a little help from e-bikes, protein bars, and a mattress. 

• Tacklebox
• RSVP for Entrepreneurs with Jobs Getting Coffee in NYC on April 6
• Consulting inquiries: [email protected]

Your startup will only grow if you design for and facilitate word of mouth. The big mistake people make is thinking their business will generate that WoM growth - the key is making sure the conversation is already happening before you build a product. We'll talk through strategies for this today, with a little help from a wine investing platform and a product to help a two year old sleep.   

• Byldd
• Tacklebox

Today we'll talk about finding ideas that are primed to grow fast and grow big. As we dug in, we realized this was a great approach for any sized business. There are three pillars for this type of idea, and we'll go through each with a little help from Coke and Pepsi and my grade school friend, Aaron. 

• Pepsi Challenge
• Generation Defining Stats
• The Innovator's Dilemma
• Competing Against Luck

Today we'll talk through how to test out and build a startup idea in ~10 days by answering four questions. We'll use an idea that's oddly popped up a bunch lately: Kitchen Organizer. We do this with a little help from a story about a poker player and my good friend, Penne Vodka Pete.

• Tacklebox Membership
• Wix

Simple products win. You probably already knew this, but creating a simple product is harder than it should be. The reason is that a simple product has nothing to do with the product itself. Today we'll talk about Customer Deltas - the most important piece of the puzzle for a simple product that you can build fast and is primed for growth. 

• Tacklebox
• The Psychology of Money 

Today we'll talk about the irrational fears that keep entrepreneurs from doing the things they need to do to be successful. We've got stories about Barney Greengrass, a six year old pedaling on a Peloton with his hands, and a tourist ending up with the perfect order. And, a system to ensure you don't get caught making irrational decisions that hamstring your startup. 

• Byldd 
• Tacklebox Membership
• ITS habit pods: 
  • How to Not Waste Your Life
  • You Need a Bouncer
  • Do The Thing

Building a great startup usually isn't rocket science - it often comes down to just trying more things than anyone else does. The hard part about this is the repetition and the mindset - building a system will push you through. Today we talk about that system with a little help from a prolific writer and a startup idea about sabbaticals. 

• Tacklebox Membership
• Say hi: [email protected]

Entrepreneurs are told all the time to avoid crowded markets. There's too much competition, there's too much venture funding, you'll get squashed like a bug. I'm not so sure. There's a lot to like about crowded markets - this episode talks through how to carve out your own space and benefit from all the great things crowded markets have to offer. 

• Tacklebox
• A podcast on Slice