PinnedIt’s never as easy as it looks.I lost $50,000, more or less, on a business started in my 20s. Hurt a lot. I’m now 4d-*ahem* and finding peace with success. Lessons learned along the way: 1. Always have income. Never quit a job or engagement until you’re confident of success. That bullshit some claim about focus…Success2 min readSuccess2 min read
6 days agoHow to Start a Podcast Like we Launch a StartupGiven the exceptional rate at which podcasts fail, it dawned on me that exceptional, compelling, and successful shows are the result of a vision, great founders, and a team. And in that, just as in a startup, execution of the right steps is a critical path to success; that, while…Podcasting Tips15 min readPodcasting Tips15 min read
May 25Startup Founders, Focus! (Yeah, but on what?)Focus. We hear that word and advice bantered about A LOT in the startup community but rarely is that mentorship capably followed up with WHAT to focus on, and why. This is what contributes to founders wasting time and failing. You think the advice is helpful; it’s not, it’s distracting. …Startup Lessons3 min readStartup Lessons3 min read
Apr 28The Tweeters (and checkmarks online)Now, the most important tweeters Had profiles with marks The plain-profile tweeters had none but remarks. Those marks weren’t so big. They were really so small. You might think such a thing wouldn’t matter at all. But because they had marks, all the mark-profiled tweeters Would tweet, “We’re the best tweeters…Social Media4 min readSocial Media4 min read
Apr 13Uncovering Austin FinTech as an EcosystemI have a confession to get off my chest. In my work through Austin, I’ve long celebrated and promoted the maturing of Austin’s startup ecosystem by illuminating that we’re starting to specialize and move beyond downtown; that, as the most effective startup ecosystems do, the city of Austin isn’t generically…Fintech7 min readFintech7 min read
Apr 13The Critical Role of Startup MentorsThis is my observation and an opinion meant to spark thought and discussion. What has your experience been? Finding myself now through 3 cycles of the economy (more or less), working with startups throughout, I can’t help but observe and plead for people to raise their hands in philanthropy as…Mentor6 min readMentor6 min read
Mar 30The Art Making Manchester StartupsWe, in MediaTech Ventures, have a unique thesis about innovation and entrepreneurship. …Manchester City11 min readManchester City11 min read
Mar 24Penske Media Corporation’s SXSW Leads to the FutureOne of the more anticipated experiences of SXSW 2023, among those of us who work within where media and innovation industries converge, is that early last year, a pretty substantial stake of the pivotal conference in Austin was acquired by Penske Media Corporation. Media companies moving into experiences isn’t a…SXSW6 min readSXSW6 min read
Feb 28Developing Austin’s Startup EcosystemRegional culture, history, and infrastructure are the qualities of a region of the world that drives innovation, jobs, and economic development because technology is ultimately about people and their potential. A really wonderful article about Austin in The New Yorker sparked a series of wonderful discussions of the past and…Austin15 min readAustin15 min read
Feb 16The Most Pressing Issues About the Internet Aren’t Likely What You ExpectPrivacy, fake news, Twitter, security, my data being sold, Facebook monetizing you, addiction to screens, social media bullying, the Prince of Nigeria having money for you, and cryptocurrency being a boon or a threat… The world is incredibly distracted by distinct issues that concern us, causing us to overlook what…Privacy4 min readPrivacy4 min read