Read on Twitter
Ok so I promised I’d talk about @beondeck. On Deck (ODF6) changed my life. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
Actually, no it’s not. I’m a tweetstorm guy now (new year new me). So let’s talk ODF
Actually, no it’s not. I’m a tweetstorm guy now (new year new me). So let’s talk ODF
2/ @beondeck broke me out of the wantrepreneur cycle I’d been stuck in for 10 years. I’ve always wanted to be a founder. But, I always thought I needed more skills, more connections, more investor contacts. I wasn’t ready. Not true.
3/ Chasing skills/contacts helped, but was ultimately just an excuse to put off taking the plunge. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in startups, it’s that nobody (even veterans) knows what the f*ck they’re doing. Just start. You’re ready.
4/ If I hadn’t already spent 10+ years getting good at stuff and meeting people, On Deck would’ve helped me 80/20 it and skip all of that. The education and community content is top-notch (my Positioning session included *pats own back*).
5/ And the contacts… I mean jeeze. You’re probably 1 degree of separation away from anyone in the Valley in ODF. You can find freelancers, investors, domain experts, employees. I wish I’d had this even as just a normal employee.
6/ But I had all that stuff already right? Good network, cool skillz. What I didn’t have was the mythical “technical co-founder”. I know some killer engineers, but timing/fit rule most of them out for one reason or another.
7/ So, ODF to the rescue. I’ve met/teamed up with @karthiksuresh for “project #1”, and @elimernit and @lucasege for “#2”. These guys are all absolute rockstars I can’t wait to build with – it’s an embarrassment of riches, all thanks to ODF.
The @beondeck experience absolutely rocks. If you’re starting a company, do it. It’s the best time/energy/dollar investment you’ll make prior to getting into YC (aside from fanatically talking to customers – do that more). /fin
