Idea to Startup

We're told we need to be head over heels passionate about our startup for it to succeed. Is that... true?What if we haven't found something we're that passionate about - does that mean we shouldn't start it?How do you find something you're passionate enough about to build a company around?Is Sasquatch Real?  The answers to these and more on this week's Idea to Startup Pod. Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive)

We'll look back on 2021 as the best year to start a startup in the past 50. The world we're returning to will be a lot different from the one we left, and people will start meaningful companies to bridge that gap. Hopefully, one of those people is you.Here are three stories that'll help you position yourself and your startup to succeed in 2021. Show NotesTacklebox Self ServeTacklebox CohortPixar 22 Rules of Storytelling Madlib “I’m building X to capitalize on the confluence of these three trends - A, B, and C. I’m uniquely positioned to build X because of the perspective I gained from D, E, and F - (where D, E, and F are networks, experience, and skillsets that create a venn diagram very few other people sit in the middle of). The biggest assumption I’m making is G, and I’ve run K tests to start proving to myself that the risk is worth taking. I’m confident this is a problem that needs solving because of Z (where Z is an observed behavior of a specific customer you’ll start with and also the beachhead of a larger market).” 

That title is even spammier than last week. But it isn’t. Today, we’ll talk about how thinking through how to build a billion dollar business is actually a really useful exercise, too.Today, we’re going to fix Goodreads and drink a bunch of egg nog. Let’s see how that goes.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive)

That title sure does sound spammy. But it isn’t. Today, we’ll talk about how thinking through how you’d make $1,000 today is the best way to actually start a startup.This episode is for people who are stuck - people who want to start something but can’t figure out the best way to go about doing it. People who are overwhelmed by what starting a startup might entail.We make it easy for you.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Tacklebox Newsletter (get articles and the full content archive) 

Today we take a bunch of questions from ITS listeners. We talk through startup ideas for 2021, founder superpowers, and hutzpah.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve (and regular tacklebox accelerator)  Psychology of MoneyUpwork + DesignhillThe Books: Range, The Passion Economy, Essentialism, Boomtown, Three Body Problem, The Lost Man, Atomic Habits

This episode focuses on the 4 best emails written on Black Friday, and the framework each used to break through the clutter.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeLolliEssentialism (read this)Contagious (read this, too) 

Entrepreneurs favorite questions all begin with “how will I know..”The real answer is, you never know anything for sure. This podcast is about the process of entrepreneurship - how to set up and run lightweight tests to get a unique perspective no one else does.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeHow Will I Know (🐐 ) How to choose the right customer (pod)Jobs to be Done Theory

It’s easy to do everything but the thing that matters. Today we talk about how to identify the thing that matters and how to combat all of our instincts that tell us to push back against real reflection.We go through a few examples, including Ro.co, business school, and writing books, focusing on Motion vs. Action.Show Notes:Tacklebox Self ServeAtomic Habits + RangeDavid Foster Wallace - This Is Water

Imposter syndrome kills more startups than not finding a cofounder, competition, or  funding ever could.Today, we’re talking about whether you’re good enough to compete in the startup world. Can you really turn this into your livelihood? Can you thrive?What happens if you don’t?  Show Notes:Tacklebox Self Serve

Founders need to be resilient. It’s beaten into our heads over and over. But what resilience is - and how to be resilient - is misunderstood.Today we’ll talk about all the IOUs you consciously and unconsciously write all day, and how they’re sapping you of your best work. We’ll finish with tactics to combat these IOUs. Go get ‘em.Tacklebox Self-Serve ProgramAtlantic City - Bruce (🐐)