In today's Startup Therapy Podcast, Wil and Ryan discuss who founders are really competing against. Founders are often never satisfied because they constantly set new, self-imposed benchmarks and goals. They compete against a changing definition of success, driven by their ego and perceptions of their peers. As they reach one milestone, they quickly construct new challenges, making it challenging to ever achieve lasting contentment in their entrepreneurial journey. Finding a balance between ambition and recognizing their achievements can lead to greater satisfaction and a healthier perspective on success. 
 Sign up for the Startups Newsletter https://www.startups.com/newsletter 
 Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://www.startups.com/beginJoin our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan
 What to Listen For00:00 Intro01:24 A founder's rollercoaster of satisfaction03:51 Why successful founders are never satisfied05:45 Peer competition10:37 The problem with comparison15:25 Competing for our own safety20:49 “We create a much more unsafe environment…”22:36 Competitors ability to affect your safety24:10 Endless chase of success28:34 Ego vs. Contentment33:38 Why we can’t find the finish line

Who am I Really Competing Against?

The "No BS" version of how startups are really built, taught by actual startup Founders who have lived through all of it. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan talk candidly about the intense struggles Founders face both personally and professionally as they try to turn their idea into something that will change the world.

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In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter explore the harsh reality of seeking support as a founder. Surprising, limited number of people who genuinely want to see a founder succeed. You will hear about receiving superficial praise, the impact of social media on perception, and the psychological reasons behind others' reactions to success — the envy even among those closest to the founder.  Don't walk this narrow road alone, get support from your peers in founder groups at: https://www.startups.com/begin 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/

Do people really want me to succeed? Founders vs World

In this episode of the Startup Therapy podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter talk about the common misconception around 'working hard' within startups. They question the measurement of hard work, arguing that effort does not necessarily equate to progress or beneficial outcomes. The need for clear benchmarks within organizations to truly reward and recognize valuable contributions.  Additionally, they challenge the notion of what constitutes as 'hard work' and the danger of equating all effort with success, proposing a more nuanced understanding that could lead to more effective and rewarding startup cultures. 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
00:17 The Misconception of Hard Work in Startup Culture
02:49 Real Value of Hard Work in Startups
04:29 The Effort vs. Progress Dilemma 
06:40 Effort, Progress, and Reward
10:22  Learning from Effort and Reward
15:46 The Misconception of Effort vs. Outcome
17:36 Setting Expectations Across Management Levels
19:30 The Importance of Measurable Outcomes
28:31 Setting the Right Expectations and Rewards

You only THINK you work HARD — The Hard Work Illusion

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the evolution of startups from the emphasis on scaling and headcount to prioritizing efficiency and output, largely due to advancements in AI. The challenges of the past, such as massive payrolls, investor dependency, and expensive infrastructures highlighting the opportunities AI technologies present for startups.  The conversation covers the changing landscape where small operations can achieve significant impact without the traditional costs, through examples like remote work, AI-driven efficiencies, and low-cost internet companies. They advocate for a shift in mindset where success isn't measured by headcount or office size, but by the value created with minimal resources.  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 The Evolution of Startups: From Headcount to Efficiency
01:29 AI and the Future of Work: A New Paradigm
05:14 The Unprecedented Scale and Speed of AI Adoption
07:14 AI's Impact on Staffing and Efficiency
09:39 The Ethical Debate: AI and Job Creation vs. Job Displacement
13:17 AI's Role in Democratizing Entrepreneurship
16:00 Historical Shifts in Startup Dynamics: From Match.com to AI
18:41 The Evolution of Startup Funding
19:33 The Dramatic Shift in Startup Economics
20:42 The Rise of Bootstrapping and Ownership Retention
21:24 Case Study: Plenty of Fish's Revolutionary Approach
24:32 The Future of Startup Costs and Ownership
31:55 Embracing Efficiency and Impact in Startups
33:48 A New Era of Startup Valuation and Efficiency


SMALL is the New Big - Embracing Efficiency in the Age of AI

In this episode of the startup therapy podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter delve into bootstrapping a startup. They address common misconceptions about funding, emphasizing the importance of making do with what you have and prioritizing what's truly necessary for business growth. The conversation covers practical ways to manage expenses without external funding, including strategies for hiring, marketing, and managing operational costs through discipline and creative solutions.  
 The hosts share personal experience on how to navigate the challenges of bootstrapping, highlighting the importance of being resourceful, making money to spend money, and avoiding typical startup traps.  
 Sign up for the Startups Newsletter https://www.startups.com/newsletter Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://groups.startups.com/Join our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan
00:00 Welcome to Startup Therapy 00:08 The Realities of Bootstrapping 01:35 Navigating the Bootstrapping Journey 04:50 Mastering the Art of Compensation in Bootstrapping 22:00 Innovative Marketing on a Shoestring Budget 26:50 Leveraging Vendor Terms and Historical Examples 28:18 The Power of Deferred Payments in Business Growth 33:20 Strategic Use of Credit Cards for Business Expenses 42:20 The Path to Efficient Startup Growth 


This is BOOTSTRAPPED - 3 Strategies to Build Your Startup Without Funding

In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Wil Schroter discuss the complexities of handling feedback from investors, emphasizing the critical need for founders to properly qualify and assess the advice they receive. They highlight the dangers of acting on feedback without considering its relevance, potential bias, and the investor's qualifications. The discussion covers the spectrum of investor types, from well-meaning but inexperienced individuals to top-tier venture capitalists, and the importance of understanding the context and motivation behind their advice.  
 You will find how to advocate for a balanced approach that involves questioning, verifying, and thoughtfully considering advice before taking action. 
Sign up for the Startups Newsletter https://www.startups.com/newsletter Resources:Startup Therapy Podcast https://groups.startups.com/Join our Network of Top Founders Check in with us on LinkedIn | Wil Schroter | Ryan Rutan


Who am I Really Competing Against?

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