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6 years ago today I recorded the first-ever 20VC with @guykawasaki.
I was 18, had about $50 to my name and knew no one in venture.
Today the show is 2,500 episodes in with 80M+ downloads.
Thread on the biggest lessons learned along the way
I was 18, had about $50 to my name and knew no one in venture.
Today the show is 2,500 episodes in with 80M+ downloads.
Thread on the biggest lessons learned along the way
1.) Most fail not through poor execution but by failing to start at all.
You will always be embarrassed by your V1. Just start.
I recorded 20VC episode 1 in my family kitchen with a $20 mic and never having spoken to a VC before.
You will always be embarrassed by your V1. Just start.
I recorded 20VC episode 1 in my family kitchen with a $20 mic and never having spoken to a VC before.
2.) You can never be too prepared.
Most content sucks because the prep has not been done prior.
I speak to 5+ references before every episode, gain insights, anecdotes and stories not available online.
In the diligence lies the beauty.
Most content sucks because the prep has not been done prior.
I speak to 5+ references before every episode, gain insights, anecdotes and stories not available online.
In the diligence lies the beauty.
3.) You have to create an environment of safety within the first 3 minutes. @fdestin taught me this.
Interviewer or VC you have to make the other person feel safe, feel they can tell you anything. All in first 3 minutes.
Give a piece of yourself to encourage this in the other.
Interviewer or VC you have to make the other person feel safe, feel they can tell you anything. All in first 3 minutes.
Give a piece of yourself to encourage this in the other.
4.) The work does not end when the creation is completed.
Distribution is everything.
For every minute spent creating, spend double the time on distribution.
Distribution is everything.
For every minute spent creating, spend double the time on distribution.
5.) Vulnerability really is strength.
I have suffered from bulimia in the past and my mother suffers from MS.
This is a core part of who I am. Do not shy away from it. Be open about it.
Vulnerability is contagious and people will embrace it.
I have suffered from bulimia in the past and my mother suffers from MS.
This is a core part of who I am. Do not shy away from it. Be open about it.
Vulnerability is contagious and people will embrace it.
6.) Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
@shak taught me this one.
Be compassionate, be kind, you have no idea what the other person is going through.
We are all human, we all struggle.
@shak taught me this one.
Be compassionate, be kind, you have no idea what the other person is going through.
We are all human, we all struggle.
7.) It is not failing, it is how one responds to failure that determines their true character.
I got rejected by 2 London VC firms for roles a year into 20VC.
I immediately dropped out of university and vowed to build 20VC further.
“Be so big they cannot ignore you.”
I got rejected by 2 London VC firms for roles a year into 20VC.
I immediately dropped out of university and vowed to build 20VC further.
“Be so big they cannot ignore you.”
8.) You cannot attach happiness to specific milestones.
I will be happy when…
This never happens. Enjoy the journey, enjoy the moment, enjoy the people.
Don’t live for the future that might not come.
I will be happy when…
This never happens. Enjoy the journey, enjoy the moment, enjoy the people.
Don’t live for the future that might not come.
9.) It does not have to be for yourself. You can do it for others.
When my mother got MS, I vowed she would receive the best treatment and 20VC would cover it financially.
That drives me every single day to perform and build a successful business.
When my mother got MS, I vowed she would receive the best treatment and 20VC would cover it financially.
That drives me every single day to perform and build a successful business.
10.) Build a sports team.
Surround yourself with the world’s best in their field.
I have been lucky to have incredible relationships with @fdestin, @joshbuckley, @johnhenderson, @shak, @thulme, @m2jr, @bfeld, @Mazzeo all of whom guide and inspire me continuously.
Surround yourself with the world’s best in their field.
I have been lucky to have incredible relationships with @fdestin, @joshbuckley, @johnhenderson, @shak, @thulme, @m2jr, @bfeld, @Mazzeo all of whom guide and inspire me continuously.
