This Week in Startups is presented by:
Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at vanta.com/twist
Embroker. The Embroker Startup Insurance Program helps startups secure the most important types of insurance at a lower cost and with less hassle. Save up to 20% off of traditional insurance today at Embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST.
House of Macadamias is the next big health trend! Get 20% off your first purchase and a free box of Namibian Sea Salted Macadamia Nuts at houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code twist20!
*
Today’s show:
Lon joins Jason to extract the business lessons from the film Blackberry (2:19). The two discuss the company’s rise and fall, the benefits of having multiple co-founders (9:11), the psychology of framing (23:05), knowing when to "fake it 'til you make it" (56:19) and much more!
*
Time stamps:
(0:00) Cold open! “What got us here won’t get us there.”
(2:19) Jason and Lon intro Business Breakdowns - a new series!
(5:51) Blackberry cast breakdown
(9:11) Lessons: Importance of having multiple, complementary co-founders and market pull
(13:25) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(14:32) Lessons: “Burn the boats,” importance of diligence, product velocity
(21:51) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist
(23:05) Lesson: Framing the product or pitch
(26:11) Lesson: Importance of riding and recognizing paradigm shifts
(31:04) Lessons: Marketing as a status symbol, real-world virality, being of action, “bend don’t break”
(36:50) Lesson: What got you here won’t get you there
(40:53) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off and a free box of Namibian Sea Salted Macadamia Nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20
(42:12) Lessons: Blackberry’s downfall, importance of focus, product association
(53:13) Lesson: Knowing when to cash in your chips
(56:19) Lesson: Know when to “fake it ‘til you make it”
(59:51) Business Breakdown Awards, presented by Jason and Lon
*
Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four
Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply
Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com
Great recent interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow Jason:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast