The Blade

Jerry Seinfeld once explained how it takes him months to turn a joke idea into a hilarious observation. A startup idea works in a similar manner. It takes years to really turn your idea into a viable business. Learn how to create like Seinfeld in this week’s 1-Minute Rant. Read More

The newly proposed tax bills are making their way through the House and Senate. Let’s look under the hood and find out how they may affect your startup. I’ll be breaking down the main changes by Read More

One of the main goals of being a founder is to get stuff done. But getting stuff done and getting it done right means quality often suffers. Learn about balancing quality versus quantity in this week’s one-minute rant.  Read More

Founders, we should be outraged over unfair economic incentives.

From January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2017, the North Carolina Department of Commerce report announced 803 economic development awards exceeding $1.5 billion. One of its funds, the Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund, announced the cost per job created is approximately $5,631. Read More

On August 2, 2016, I posted “13 Observations from a Part-Time Angel Investor.” Since then, I’ve invested in three new startups, making eight total investments. Here is an update of their progress.

Read More

Discovering sales and marketing success is about incessantly trying different techniques. Otherwise, how will you know which processes will work best? Read More

A common growth path for most successful startups is taking five years to grow their revenue from zero to one million—and then growing 10-20 percent annually thereafter. A solid result, but certainly not an explosive growth result. Their founders begin to bang their heads against the wall wondering: “My company is successful, but why isn’t it hugely successful? Where’s the explosive growth?” Read More

We have entered a golden era for finding part-time and contract workers! Throughout my years of starting companies, I’ve had the most luck hiring interns. They have offered a higher return on investment than any other investment I’ve made. Read More

Successful startups experience four stages of growth. The most fascinating stage that is the least attractive and most crucial is “The Blade Years”; the first three years when revenue and growth are low. Read More

My father, who for 50 years has worked as a mathematician at N.C. State, recently exclaimed, “When I arrived at N.C. State, the dean’s office was comprised of the dean, a secretary, and a part-time associate dean–and that’s it. Read More