Want to Build a Unicorn? Start by Falling in Love with the Problem
The most iconic start-ups of our time, Airbnb, Stripe, Nutrafol, didn’t start with flashy tech or grand visions. They started with a deep obsession with a very real, often personal, problem. As The Start-Up Puzzle puts it: Great founders don’t just solve problems, they live them. In fact, many successful founders are their own first customers. They feel the […]
Start-Ups vs. Corporations: Why They’re Playing Entirely Different Games
There’s a romanticism to start-ups the garage, the chaos, the breakthrough moment. And there’s a sense of superiority in corporates resources, experience, structure. But what The Start-Up Puzzle reveals is that these two species of business are not just at different stages of growth. They are playing fundamentally different games. Start-ups are chaos by design. They are […]
Many entrepreneurs experience imposter syndrome. How can they overcome self-doubt and build confidence in their abilities?
Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for entrepreneurs, and I would argue business leaders at large, even the most successful ones. Although we did not write a psychological self-help book, we do offer practical strategies that you might find helpful to overcome self-doubt and build lasting confidence: – Focus on Progress, Not Perfection. Many founders feel like […]
What habits or routines do you believe are crucial for entrepreneurs to cultivate long-term success?
Successful entrepreneurs cultivate habits that keep them focused, agile, and resilient. The following routines I have observed to be associated with long-term success: – Start Each Day with Clarity. Top entrepreneurs begin their day by setting clear priorities. Whether through a morning reflection, a quick strategy session, or goal-setting, they ensure their time is spent on […]
What are the most essential leadership skills an entrepreneur must develop to succeed in today’s business environment?
Successful entrepreneurs must master a combination of strategic, interpersonal, and executional leadership skills. The most essential ones include: – Visionary Thinking. Great entrepreneurs don’t just identify opportunities, they see what others don’t and articulate a clear, compelling vision. They connect the dots between market trends, customer needs, and business potential, inspiring their team and stakeholders. – […]
From MVP to PMF — Why Go-To-Market Fit Is the Real Make-or-Break
In the startup world, we often celebrate ideas. But ideas are cheap. Execution is everything, and one of the biggest tests of execution is go-to-market (GTM) fit. Many founders obsess over their Minimum Viable Product (MVP). However, the MVP is only the beginning. The real question is: can you evolve that MVP into something people […]