I used to dread networking.Not because I didn’t believe in it - because I was too focused on getting it “right.”
Every room felt like a challenge. Was I interesting enough? Helpful enough? Smart enough?
Here’s what I learned: Trying to be impressive kills authentic connection. And when you k...
After 17 years and 1100+ startup pitches, here’s one truth I keep coming back to: using industry-specific jargon in your pitch is a gamble—and it’s rarely worth it.
Founders often use it to sound smart, credible, or “on the inside.” But the moment you say something like “we use a zero-knowled...
The most expensive business lesson I've learned is that ignoring your intuition or gut feeling will always cost you—once in immediate business impact, and again in lost time, energy, and direction. Every time I've abandoned my instincts in favor of "expert advice," I've watched my vision disso...
In my 17 years advising startups, I've discovered a truth that transformed how I view successful pitching: authenticity isn't just important—it's essential.
Too often, founders approach pitches like performances. They polish slides until they gleam, memorize scripts word-for-word, and practice...
When I first began coaching startups, a crucial lesson emerged that too many founders overlook: understanding the investor’s perspective is not just important, it's everything.
Ignoring this can cost you not only potential funding but valuable partnerships that could propel your business forwa...
I've watched hundreds of founders lose investor interest before they even get to their solution. The painful truth I've learned? You have just 30 seconds to captivate investors before their minds start wandering. Failing to nail this crucial opening moment doesn't just cost you their attention...
Do you like to take your time to really explain the problem thoroughly?
And do you like to state ALL the problems you are solving?
Trust me - after 1 years in this business - you are not alone!
I see it all the time—founders getting trapped in a negative spiral without even realizing it.
It st...
The Lesson: Celebration is Not a Luxury—It's a Necessity
The other day, a startup I know closed a really big funding round. It was a moment that should have been filled with excitement and recognition. But when people from their cohort walked past their office, they saw the team just sitting...
Let’s get straight to it: You don’t have to raise money to build a successful startup.
We’ve been flooded with stories of billion-dollar startups that scaled overnight thanks to VC money. The reality? Most startups don’t need outside capital.
Some of the most successful companies—Mailchimp, Te...
What if your sustainability focus could become your strongest revenue driver, not just a cost center?
When I started out as a pitch coach - sustainability startups were still seen as charity cases. There was no way anyone would even consider making money off making the environment better - t...
It's high season for startup events. Your calendar is probably filling up with pitch competitions, investor meetups, and industry conferences - each one holding the potential for that game-changing connection or perfect investor match.
While these events can be incredibly energizing, my 17 y...
A few months ago, at a major event, something extraordinary happened. A former student approached me, asking if he could give me a big hug.
His eyes were bright with excitement – a clear contrast to the nervous, shivering person I'd coached months earlier. During our first two sessions, he ...
