Mitch Robertson Co

Why Your Startup Is Asking the Wrong Question—And Losing the Right People Every founder has heard it before: “If you build it, they will come.” or at least some version of this. But the reality is—they won’t! Not unless they believe in why you’re building it and can tell the story in a compelling way. Startups fail because they obsess over products when they should be obsessed with people. Today’s secret to startup success? It’s not about building. It’s about belonging. Here's how. Ask the Right Questions with Data-Driven Insights This is more possible than ever given the acceleration of AI. Instead of relying on guesswork, use AI to help you uncover answers like: 🎯 Who am I building for? (Analyze customer behavior patterns to pinpoint your ideal audience.) 🤕 What emotional pain point am I solving? (Use sentiment analysis to understand your audience’s frustrations and aspirations.) 🤼 Why would my audience choose me over the competition? (Identify gaps in your competitors’ offerings using AI-driven market analysis.) Standout Examples of Startups That Use AI to Build Belonging: 💨 Zoom: Leveraged customer feedback (analyzed with AI) to refine features that made virtual connection seamless during the pandemic. 🎵 Spotify: Its AI-curated playlists create personalized experiences that make users feel understood, fostering loyalty. How You Can Start Using AI to Build Belonging: 📕 Craft Stories Backed by Data AI tools can identify the emotional triggers that matter most to your audience—helping you craft narratives that truly resonate. 🏢 Foster Community with Personalization AI can power community-building by tailoring content, recommendations, and engagement strategies to individual users’ needs. ⌛ Iterate Faster with Real-Time Insights From A/B testing your messaging to tracking community sentiment, AI helps you refine your approach and stay in tune with your audience. Final Thought: Stop asking, “Will they come?” Start asking, “Why will they stay?” And let AI help you answer that question. What’s your startup’s story? How are you using (or planning to use) AI to create deeper connections with your audience? Drop your insights in the comments!

The rise of "corporate influencers" is an interesting shift in how businesses are trying to connect with audiences. But let’s ask an honest question: are these posts really about connection, or are they just carefully crafted marketing? Real authenticity isn’t about being polished. It’s about sharing genuine insights, experiences, and challenges—not just a curated highlight reel. If the goal is to make people feel something real, overly controlled messaging isn't it. People can tell when they’re being marketed to, and when the “authenticity” is just another layer of branding. Where things fall short: Polish doesn’t equal connection. The most impactful stories are real, raw, and unfiltered. Sharing only the wins or pre-approved narratives misses the point. Trust comes from honesty. If people are sharing stories about their work or experiences, let them do it in their own voice. Forced relatability is just noise. Value matters more than relatability. Instead of trying to make everything sound appealing, focus on sharing something meaningful—something that genuinely helps or resonates. At its core, authenticity is about trust. It’s not about looking good, being cool, or fabricating relatability; it’s about being real. The goal shouldn’t be more posts—it should be better connections. What’s your perspective? Is “authenticity” still meaningful, or has it become just another overused buzzword? #RealConnection #AuthenticityMatters #UnfilteredThoughts #UncensoredGrowth #CorporateInfluencers #GenZ

🌟 Legacy Brands That Prove Longevity + Purpose = Global Impact 🌟 Ever wonder how some brands not only survive for decades but thrive while making a difference? Legacy brands teach us that true success isn’t just about longevity—it’s about leaving a legacy of POSITIVE impact. 🌍 Here are some inspiring examples of companies that started small and grew into global forces for impact: 💡 Coca-Cola (USA) Began: A small soda fountain drink in 1886. Now: A global beverage powerhouse in 200+ countries, aiming to recycle every bottle or can by 2030 with its "World Without Waste" initiative. 💡 Sony (Japan) Began: An electronics repair shop in 1946. Now: A leader in gaming, entertainment, and tech, investing heavily in renewable energy and sustainable products. 💡 Chanel (France) Began: A boutique selling hats in 1910. Now: A luxury fashion giant embracing sustainability with eco-friendly materials and ethical sourcing. 💡 Ford (USA) Began: Innovating mass production in 1903. Now: Leading the EV revolution with $50B investments and a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 💡 Gucci (Italy) Began: A leather workshop in 1921. Now: A global fashion icon with its “Equilibrium” initiative focused on climate action and workplace diversity. 💡 Marks & Spencer (UK) Began: A penny bazaar in 1884. Now: A retail leader tackling net-zero emissions by 2040 through sustainable sourcing and waste reduction. What Do They Have in Common? ✅ They evolve with the times while staying true to their roots. ✅ They prioritize purpose alongside profit. ✅ They leverage their reach to drive positive global change. These brands remind us that being iconic isn’t just about scaling quickly or making the top of a chart, it’s about the years and global impact you make. Which legacy brand inspires YOU the most? Drop it in the comments! #Leadership #Legacy #Impact #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts

Outdated playbooks are holding entrepreneurs back and incentivizing the wrong outcomes. It’s time for change! Generic frameworks, static OKRs, and investor-focused models aren’t just outdated—they’re barriers to success for many entrepreneurs. In a world where AI is accelerating change faster than ever, startups can’t afford to rely on yesterday’s strategies. It’s time for something dynamic, personalized, and impactful. A model that evolves with the pace of innovation, empowering entrepreneurs to scale smarter, adapt faster, and drive real impact. Let’s rethink how we grow. The future of entrepreneurship demands it. #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Accelerator2Point0 #AI #StartupSuccess

The edge in today’s market isn’t just having data—it’s knowing how to use it faster than your competition. The smartest startups are turning data into actionable insights that drive real-time decisions, not sitting around staring at dashboards. They’re ditching quarterly OKRs and KPIs, focusing on informed, aggressive pivots in real-time. The old ‘fail fast’ mantra? Catchy, but misleading. It’s not about failing—it’s about learning quickly, adapting faster, and pivoting before you burn through your runway. Take Netflix, for example—they didn’t just rely on traditional data points to decide what content to greenlight. By leveraging real-time insights on user behavior, they invested in original content like #HouseofCards before anyone else saw the value. They didn’t wait to see how quarterly results panned out—they adapted instantly to what their audience wanted. The next wave of successful startups will be the ones who stay curious, move fast, and make their data work for them in real-time.

Inspired by this photo we took while we were in Portugal—a raw reflection of what life, especially as an entrepreneur, can often feel like. We oscillate between moments of 'WTF did I lose my mind?' that come with chasing big dreams, and the grounding realization of 'I want to live, not just survive.' Entrepreneurship isn’t just about the hustle. It’s about finding your community, cultivating close relationships, building together, seeking harmony, and creating something meaningful without losing yourself along the way. Survival isn’t enough—live fully, with purpose and connection. I’m endlessly grateful for my wife,Lana Zumbrunn, who embodies this for me every day and reminds me what truly matters. 💛 #PurposeOverSurvival #EntrepreneurMindset #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts #Portugal #GraffitiWisdom #BuildTogether #WorkLifeHarmony

Launching a Startup? Here’s How to Disrupt the Status Quo Starting a business today isn’t just about great ideas—it’s about leveraging AI, asking bold questions, and leaving outdated models behind. From redefining problems and accelerating growth with AI to building strong communities and sustainable business models, the playbook for startups has evolved. In this latest article, I outline 7 steps to create startups that don’t just disrupt but make a meaningful, lasting impact. Let’s rethink how we launch and scale in 2024. #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #AIForStartups #Disruption

What frustrates you most about the traditional accelerator model? Is it the lack of relevant, human-centered mentorship? The outdated processes? Or the focus on investor gains over founder impact? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Your experiences and insights matter, and together, we can reimagine a startup ecosystem built on meaningful connections and shared impact. #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts #AIForStartups #StartupAcceleration #Entrepreneurship #HumanConnection #Innovation #EconomicEmpowerment #FutureOfWork

Let’s imagine the possibilities if we thought beyond the headlines, embracing a more resilient and forward-thinking mindset. By focusing on long-term solutions and global awareness, we can pave the way for sustainable growth and meaningful progress—transforming challenges into opportunities that benefit future generations. #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Sustainability #Geopolitics #EconomicTrends #GrowthMindset #StrategicThinking, #GlobalBusiness #Resilience #ThoughtLeadership #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThoughts

AI is no longer optional for startups—it’s the difference between staying relevant and becoming obsolete. 🤖💥 From automating the boring stuff to unlocking game-changing innovation, AI can be your biggest weapon… or your biggest missed opportunity. Curious about how AI can take your startup to the next level? Or how even non-tech founders can leverage these tools without a massive budget? Check out the full post and let's discuss! 💡 What’s your take on AI’s role in entrepreneurship? Are you leveraging it or still on the fence? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s get this conversation rolling! #AI #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Automation #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #TechTrends #UncensoredGrowth #UnfilteredThougths