Shows
The Startup Help DeskShould Your Raise Strategic Financing?In this episode we talk about strategic financing options. There are a lot of ways to raise money for your startup, and corporate investors (strategics) can be a good option. Are they right for you? What are the pros and cons of strategic investment? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:Should you raise money from a competitor?What about raising from your customers?Are government grants a good idea?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for...2025-07-2521 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Navigate Co-founder Relationships?In this episode we talk about co-founders. If you start a company, chances are you have a co-founder. How do you maintain a positive relationship? What happens if you start fighting? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What happens when you never agree with your co-founder?How do you handle a co-founder who lacks commitment?What happens when one co-founder is working harder?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website...2025-07-1020 minThe Startup Help DeskTales from the TrenchesEpisode 50! We've answered hundreds of your questions and now it's time for us to tell you more about our journeys. In this episode we dive into our own experiences as founders including:What is the worst crisis we faced as founders?What was the highlight of our founder experience?What's the craziest thing that happened to you as a founder?If you could go back in time, what's one piece of advice you would give yourself?Next episode we'll be back to answering your questions! You can submit questions...2025-06-3034 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Stay PositiveIn this episode we talk about staying positive. Things constantly go wrong at every startup company. How do you stay positive in the face of bad news? How do you keep your team motivated? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What if your big product launch flops?What do you do if your competitor announces big news?How can you keep your team focused on the big picture?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us...2025-05-0422 minThe Startup Help DeskHow AI is Changing The WorldIn this episode we talk about getting started. Founding a company means you are constantly learning to do new things, like hiring and selling. How do you handle these new situations where you have no experience? How do you avoid mistakes? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How is AI changing the nature of work?How do you stay ahead of how fast AI is changing today?Will my data advantage still be an advantage in the future?Can AI really replace employees for me?2025-04-1722 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Get StartedIn this episode we talk about getting started. Founding a company means you are constantly learning to do new things, like hiring and selling. How do you handle these new situations where you have no experience? How do you avoid mistakes? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I find a co-founder?How do I sell my first customers before my product is ready?How do I hire my first salesperson?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can...2025-03-2823 minThe Startup Help DeskHow Much Process is Enough?In this episode we talk about process. Big companies have a lot of process, but startups have very little. How much process is enough for your startup? When do you have too little, or too much? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:When is the right time to introduce process?What if an employee refuses to follow our processes?How do I know if we are using too much process?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions...2025-03-0620 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Solve Employee ProblemsIn this episode we talk about employee problems. If you have employees, some of them will create problems that you will have to solve. How do you solve employee problems without firing someone? When do you have to fire someone? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I handle an underperforming co-founder?What can I do about an employee who is chronically late?What if you suspect an employee has a second job?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you...2025-01-2320 minThe Startup Help DeskWhen to Give UpIn this episode we talk about giving up. Startup companies are hard, and at some point you need to ask whether it's worth grinding or just moving onto something new. When do you stay the course, and when do you give up? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:Should you keep pursuing a goal that is out of reach?How long should you keep trying if the business is flat?What happens when co-founders can't work together anymore?All of these questions were submitted by...2025-01-0524 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Master Annual PlanningIn this episode we dive into annual planning. All companies need annual plans, but most companies don't know how to build great plans. What does a great plan look like? How do you make sure your team believes in your plan? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What should be part of an annual plan?How do I get my team bought into my plan?How aggressive should our annual goals be?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can...2024-12-1624 minThe Startup Help DeskWhat Competitive Advantages Matter?In this episode we dive into competitive advantages. Everyone knows they need them, but what are they? How can you have competitive advantages when you are just starting out? What happens if you lose them? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What competitive advantages can you have when you first start?What happens if we lose our competitive advantage?How can we turn one advantage into many?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to...2024-11-1421 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to raise Extensions and Bridge RoundsIn this episode we dive into raising extensions and bridge rounds. Many companies are looking to these as ways to extend their runway, but they can be complicated. How do you go about raising these kinds of rounds? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What is the difference between an Extension and a Bridge round?How do I talk to my investors about an Extension?What happens if one of my investors won't participate?How much should you raise for an Extension?All...2024-10-2821 minThe Startup Help DeskWhat is Category Creation?In this episode we dive into category creation and what it takes to win in a new category. Many startups are building products unlike anything that has existed before, but how do you build a category around it? How do you let people know it even exists? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What is category creation?How do you anticipate the need for a new category?How do you educate the market that your new category exists?How do you maintain a competitive advantage...2024-09-0323 minThe Startup Help DeskHow can Venture Capital firms help you?In this episode we dive into new kinds of Venture Capital firms and what they offer startups. Many startups seek venture funding, but most funds look the same. What can new types of funds offer? When are they a good fit for you? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How involved should a typical VC be?What’s more important the founders or the market?What are examples of an “unfair advantage” that a startup can have? We also hear details on Sterling Road and Near Ho...2024-08-1423 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Break Out of a Slump and Find Growth AgainIn this episode we answer questions about growth. Specifically, what do you do if your growth has stalled? How do you find a new growth engine? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I break out of a flat sales slump?How do I avoid spending all my time fighting with competitors for deals?How do I stand out in a crowded market?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our...2024-07-2922 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Retain Your Top EmployeesIn this episode we answer questions about your top employees. The biggest problem with top employees is that they might leave! How do you make sure they stick around? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What to do if a key employee wants to become a founder themselves?How do I handle competitors trying to hire my best salespeople?How do we keep our first employee as the company scales?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions...2024-07-1520 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to handle Underperforming EmployeesIn this episode we answer questions about underperforming employees. If you have a team, some people on that team will underperform. What do you do when that happens? Can you turn them around, or do you have to let them go? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How long should you give an employee to ramp up?Why would a top sales person start missing targets?What do you do about executives that aren't working full time?All of these questions were submitted by listeners...2024-06-1422 minThe Startup Help DeskWhat is Innovation?In this episode we answer questions about innovation. Startups are expected to innovate, but what does that mean? What is innovation and how does it become an advantage? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What is innovation?Is there a process to innovation?What is the cost to not innovating?How do I know if I'm being innovative?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website TheStartupHelpdesk.com or...2024-05-2920 minThe Startup Help DeskShould you join an Accelerator?In this episode we answer questions about startup accelerators. Accelerators are programs that promise to help improve your chances of startup success, but how do they actually work? We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What do I get if I join an accelerator?How do I know if an accelerator is worth it?How do I get the most out of my accelerator?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website...2024-04-2123 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Build Your Sales TeamIn this episode we answer questions about building your sales team. Many startups sell their product via sales people, and building your sales team is one of the most important things you will do. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I hire my first salesperson?What is a sales commission plan?How do I know if a salesperson is doing well?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website...2024-03-2921 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Raise VC FundingIn this episode we answer questions about raising money from Venture Capital funds. Many startup companies seek VC funding, but it can be a complex process if you haven't done it before. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:Is a SAFE or priced equity round better?What's the recommended amount to raise at every stage?How do I meet investors to pitch?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website TheStartupHelpdesk...2024-03-0925 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Find and Manage a Co-FounderIn this episode we answer questions about finding a co-founder and managing your relationship with your co-founder for the road ahead. Co-founder conflict is one of the top reasons for startup failure; many argue it is the primary cause of startup failure in the early days. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I find a co-founder?Can I add a co-founder later?What are the best ways to avoid co-founder conflict?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You...2024-02-1623 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Manage Your TimeIn this episode we answer questions about managing your time. Startups are all about speed, so you need to make the most of every hour of every day. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:Where should I spend my time as the CEO?How often should we have team meetings?Is our product development velocity high enough?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website TheStartupHelpdesk.com or on X/Twitter...2024-01-1621 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do I navigate complex exit options?In this episode we answer questions about complex exit options. While we all hope for a bit exit, startups more often face complex and difficult exit options including low sale prices, mergers and wind downs. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What happens if my investors want to sell but I don't?Is a merger ever a good idea?How do I know it's time to shut down my company?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions...2023-12-2221 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Handle Problem CustomersIn this episode we answer questions about handling problem customers. If you make money you have customers, and if you have customers some of them will cause problems for you. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What should you do if a customer plans to compete with you?How do you handle abusive customers?Should you let customers invest in your company?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website TheStartupHelpdesk...2023-11-1521 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Choose Your MetricsIn this episode we answer questions about choosing and using metrics. Metrics are one of the best tools you have to run your startup, but only if you use them well. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What metrics should I put on my dashboard?What do we do if our competitors are lying about their metrics?How do we report metrics like revenue, which have many definitions?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us...2023-11-1422 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Manage Your Board of DirectorsIn this episode we answer questions about managing your board of directors. If you have investors, you have a board and managing your relationship with them is one of the most important, and hardest, jobs you have. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I handle a board member who is ignoring me?What do I do if my board tells me to fire someone?How do we recover from a big fight at a board meeting?All of these questions were submitted by...2023-11-0522 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Manage a TurnaroundIn this episode we answer questions about turning around your startup. Startup journeys are hard, and it's likely you'll need to turn things around when they start to go badly. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What do I tell my investors about a big pivot?How do I hold my team together when people start leaving?How can I recapture growth after it stops?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on o...2023-10-0823 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Manage ConflictIn this episode we answer questions about managing conflict. Conflict is inevitable in the high pressure, fast-paced startup world so managing it is critical to your success. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:What do I do when my co-founder wants to leave?How do I resolve conflict between product and engineering?How do I repair a broken investor relationship?This episode we're joined by guest panelist Kat Mañalac of Y Combinator! Kat is Managing Outreach Officer at Y Combinator where she participates in f...2023-08-2820 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Be Great at MarketingIn this episode we answer questions about marketing! Marketing is one of the most challenging things to do well, but essential to success for your startup. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do we scale faster after our first few customers?Are we doing something wrong or do ads not work?When is the right time for me to hire our first marketing person?This episode we're joined by guest panelist Kat Mañalac of Y Combinator, an expert in marketing! Kat is Managing O...2023-08-0121 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you find Product/Market Fit?In this episode we answer questions about finding product/market fit! The market has gotten harder on startups in the past 12 months, and finding product/market fit is more important than ever. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:Should you keep going or give up on your startup?How do I guide my team without concrete goals and traction?How do I know if I should pivot to another idea or stick with this one?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like...2023-07-0923 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you Navigate Uncertainty?In this episode we answer questions about navigating uncertainty! The market and funding environment are changing every day, and managing those ups and downs is hard. We are here to help! In this episode we answer questions including:How do I know what metrics I need to raise money in 12 months?How do I know if I should spend more to grow faster or cut costs?How do we handle re-orgs at our big customers?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for...2023-06-2121 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you Handle Investor Relations? (with guest Leo Polovets)In this episode we answer questions about how to build relationships with your investors! Most startup companies have investors, and your relationship with them is critical to your success. We are here to help and in this episode we answer questions including:How honest should I be in my investor updates?One of my investors just invested in a competitor, what do I do?My investors have stopped responding, how do I get them engaged again?We are joined by a special guest host in this episode: Leo Polovets...2023-05-3123 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you Manage Risk? (with guest Leo Polovets)In this episode we answer questions about how to manage risk! Startup companies face mountains of risk, and it can be hard to know which risks to focus on and what you can do about them. We are here to help and in this episode we answer questions including:What do I do if I think my VP of Sales is looking for another job?How do we handle unusual requests from our biggest customers?How do we stay ahead of huge numbers of new competitors?We are joined by a...2023-05-1222 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you beat the competition?In this episode we answer questions about how to handle competition! We all have competition and how we handle it is the difference between winning and losing in our markets. We are here to help and in this episode we answer questions including:How much time should we be spending thinking about our competition?How do you handle entirely new kinds of competition, like LLMs & GPT?What do we do if our competition starts to beat us?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit...2023-04-2025 minThe Startup Help DeskHow do you handle a crisis?In this episode we answer questions about how to handle a crisis! There have been no shortage of crises recently, including the COVID pandemic and the recent banking crisis. We are here to help and in this episode we answer questions including:What, if anything, can I do to prepare for a crisis?How do we handle crises that are bigger than we are, like the recent banking crises?What do I tell my team if they are panicking during a crisis?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just...2023-04-0726 minThe Startup Help DeskWhat Are Startup Growing Pains?In this episode we answer questions about the problems that come from scaling your startup, and how to fix them! We answer questions including:How does the Founder role as a company grows?What do I need to change as my team goes from 5 to 25 people?What do I do if my co-founder isn’t growing with the company?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd lo...2023-03-1422 minThe Startup Help DeskHow Do You Make Your Employees Happy?In this episode we answer questions about your employees, how to know if they are happy and how to ensure that they are! We answer questions including:How do you measure employee satisfaction?What do you do if employee morale is low?What's an MVP of performance reviews?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode Notes2023-02-2724 minThe Startup Help DeskHow Do You Set Your Price?In this episode we answer questions about how to set the price on your product! We answer questions including:How do I decide on a price for my new product?Should I raise my prices if I think they are too low?Should I raise prices on existing customers or only new customers?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode Notes2023-01-1824 minThe Startup Help DeskShould You Be Profitable?In this episode we answer questions about making money and profitability! We answer questions including:Should I focus on Growth or Profitability?How do I figure out my Unit Economics?How do I know if I'm making enough money?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or investment advice....2023-01-1825 minThe Startup Help DeskHow Do You Recruit Your First EmployeesIn this episode we answer questions about how to hire your first employees! We answer questions including:How do I find the right co-founder to join you? How do you convince people to join your very early stage startup?What should you pay a co-founder?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or i...2023-01-0227 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Build Your First ProductIn this episode we answer questions about how to build your first product! We answer questions including:How do you decide what to include in your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?When does good design matter?How do you start selling, with just a prototype or an MVP?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal...2022-12-1423 minThe Startup Help DeskHow Do You Reach Customers?In this episode we answer questions about how to get your product in the hands of customers, also known as distribution! We answer questions including:Should you build an audience or product first?What are the secrets to cold outreach?What are channel partners and should you use them?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is...2022-11-2828 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Do Customer DiscoveryIn this episode we answer questions about doing effective Customer Discovery, including:How do you hold a Customer Discovery interview?What to do if you hear inconsistent feedback?How much time should you put into it?All of these questions were submitted by listeners just like you. You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or investment advice.Q1: ...2022-11-1722 minThe Startup Help DeskWhen is Your Product Ready, Is Fundraising Going Well and How to Hire for Unfamiliar PositionsIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:When is my product ready for launch?When will I know if my fundraising process is working?How do I hire for positions where I don’t have any experience myself?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or investment advice.Q1: When is my pr...2022-11-0122 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Sell Your CompanyWe discuss questions on the minds of many companies these days: How do we sell the company? Whether you want to sell or need to sell, few people have experience doing it and even fewer have ever done it well. We address common questions about the selling process based on years of experience selling and buying companies including:When do you need to start planning a sale?How do you sell a company?How do you close a sale?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter...2022-10-1625 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Rally Your Team Behind Your Vision, Understanding Customer Development and Generalists vs SpecialistIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:How do you motivate your team around your vision?What's the difference between Customer Development and Sales?When do you need Generalists or Specialists on your team?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or investment advice.Q1: How do you motivate your team around...2022-09-3023 minThe Startup Help DeskHow to Collect Investor Feedback, Monetize your First Customers and Understanding Cap TablesIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:How do you get useful feedback from investors?How many investors is too many?How do you get your first customers to pay you?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode NotesReminder: this is not legal advice or investment advice.Q1: How do you get useful pitch feedback from investors?2022-09-1324 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Find Product/Market Fit, How To Plan For The Long-TermIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:How do you know when you’ve found Product/Market Fit?How do you know when it’s time to pivot? Or that you just haven’t spent enough time on your existing strategy?How far in the future should you be planning?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode Notes:Q1: How do you know when you’ve found Product...2022-08-2623 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Settle Founder Disputes, How To Setup Your CompanyIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:What corporate structure should you have? Does it matter?How do you scale hiring?How do you resolve co-founder disagreements?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Episode Notes:Q1: What corporate structure should you have? Does it matter?If you intend to raise venture capital: If you’re building a startup and you want to raise money, you...2022-08-0924 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Hire When You're Too Busy, How To Pivot Your ProductIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:How do you handle a co-founder who isn't scaling in their position at the company? What do you do when you are overwhelmed as a founder and know you have to hire, but don't have the time? I have a consulting business that is cashflow positive, but want to pivot to a product so we can grow faster. How do I do that?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd lo...2022-07-1922 minThe Startup Help DeskHow To Get Your First 5 Customers, How To Fire SomeoneIn this episode we answer questions submitted by founders just like you, including:If you see other startups doing the same thing, is that a sign that there is a demand for this opportunity? Or a sign that you are not differentiated enough?How do you acquire your first five customers?How do you fire someone?You can submit questions for us to answer on our website https://www.thestartuphelpdesk.com/ or on Twitter @thestartuphd - we'd love to hear from you!Your hosts:Sean Byrnes: General Partner, Near Horizon www.nearhorizon.vcAsh Rust...2022-07-0322 min
The Kids In The RoomEP #2 - Nic MelionesNic Meliones is the co-founder and CEO of Rev, an online accelerator that helps businesses and entrepreneurs bring more meaningful ideas to life. Additionally, Nic co-founded and is CEO of High Growth Ventures, an agency that helps ventures scale their sales and marketing efforts.Previously, Nic co-founded and was CEO of BitWall for nearly 5 years until its acquisition in 2018. BitWall was one of the first venture-backed bitcoin startups and was backed by the likes of Boost VC, Tim Draper, AngelPad, and a variety of angels via an AngelList syndicate. Nic advises and mentors early st...2020-12-021h 19