Cris Cafiero’s Post

Working with startups has taught me the importance of adaptability and resilience. As an Admin, I’ve worn many hats—supporting founders, organizing key events, and helping teams navigate the fast-paced startup world. One key lesson: Always stay flexible and embrace change. That's where growth happens.
#StartupLife #AdminSupport

Part 4 in the series of posts about starting a startup for non-technical founders: 4. Investing in your co-founder relationship After choosing a co-founder, it’s super important to keep investing in that relationship outside of work. When Tennison and I first teamed up, one of our favorite things was grabbing dinner and just talking about life. Even now, despite our crazy schedules, we always find a way to have these conversations. Startups are intense and exhausting, but it’s crucial to carve out time for your co-founder beyond work. Grab a meal, catch a game, or just have a long chat about anything and everything. These moments strengthen your bond and make working together smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, you’re not just building a company—you’re creating a partnership. Keep investing in one another, and prioritize getting to know each other on a deeper level. It’s one of the best investments you can make for your startup’s success.

The other day, I had a discovery call with a startup founder, and we ended up talking about the struggles of productivity. The founder shared how, in the early days, it felt like they were constantly putting out fires and just trying to keep up. Startups are intense and unpredictable. You’re wearing so many hats at once, and it often feels like there’s never enough time to get everything done. One moment, you're diving into product development, and the next, you're managing your team or meeting with investors. It’s no wonder so many founders struggle with burnout or feel like they’re barely keeping their head above water. But here’s the thing, amid the chaos, I’ve learned that what makes the difference is how we approach it. Productivity in a startup isn’t just about doing more. It’s about learning to prioritize, stay flexible, and build systems that help you move forward without getting lost in the details. It’s a constant balancing act, but when it clicks, it’s incredibly rewarding. …………….. I’m an Administrative assistant supporting startups and founders. I wear many hats, helping streamline operations, manage priorities, and keep the team focused on what matters most. Send a dm for a discovery call 👌 #Startups #FounderLife #ProductivityHacks #BusinessGrowth #StartupStruggles #EntrepreneurLife #AdministrativeSupport #SmallBusiness #Efficiency #WorkSmart #StartupsAndFounders #OperationsManagement

Do you think startups can’t operate like established corporations? Think again! ⭐ From day one, we set out to build a strong foundation for our agency. Ultimately, focusing on key milestones that set us apart. 🎯 We created strong policies and employee benefits,  making sure our team feels valued and supported. ✔️ Quarterly reviews keep us on track. while quarterly outings, team lunches, and dinners build camaraderie and a sense of family. But we didn’t stop there. Every Saturday is dedicated to skill development training, empowering our team to grow and excel. 📈 This commitment to continuous learning keeps us innovative and ahead of the curve. These milestones are more than just checkboxes; They’re the backbone of our success and the reason why our startup operates like a corporate. —-------------------------------------------------------------------- #startup

Do you know what Calendly does really well? One thing. It does one thing, really well: helping people put meetings into other people’s calendars. In reality, that’s all it does, and it’s a multi-billion-dollar company. I talk to loads of founders every week and see them building products that are trying to solve a bunch of different problems in a market. We always say, without fail, to focus on solving just one problem for one customer base to begin with. A spray-and-pray approach rarely works when building a startup, particularly in the early days. Don’t be afraid to think v small to think big. Focus is key ! #startupadvice #productdevelopment #founders

🚀 Joining a startup? Here's one unexpected 😄 tip from a recent read! "Don't worry about titles." Instead, focus on these: - Having a ‘mind like water’ — 💧 Embrace adaptability and agility. - Cozy up to the customer — 👫 Develop deep empathy and understanding. - Understand the business model — 📈 Know how your company makes money. - Find the unsexy projects — ⚙️ Drive impact in less glamorous areas. - Align personal values to the company mission — 🌟 Build a foundation for success. The startup world is like building a plane while flying it. Are you ready for takeoff? 🚀 https://lnkd.in/ezmzxi55

I was “Zuckerberged” out of my first startup. Here’s what I learned the hard way… Starting my first venture—a paid Q&A marketplace—was an unforgettable experience, mostly because, somewhere along the way, my co-founders decided I was out. No discussion, no heads-up—just quietly removed from the project I’d helped to create. It was equal parts frustrating and enlightening. I was recently reflecting on the experience and here are some of my takeaways: - Clarity & Communication Are Everything: When roles aren’t clear, even the best ideas can quickly get messy. Setting clear responsibilities and defining a shared vision early on matters—a lot! - Keep Teams Small and Agile: Too many hands stirring the pot can derail even the best projects. Working with one or two trusted collaborators keeps the team agile and avoids unnecessary “collaborative tension.” - It’s About More Than Technical Skills: Yes, being able to code matters, but shared values, good communication, and aligned goals are just as essential. Now, I make sure to really know who I’m working with and understand what drives them. Honestly, looking back four years later, I’m a better founder because of this experience. These days, collaboration isn’t just a priority for me—it’s at the heart of what I do. I’m curious if anyone else has had a “Zuckerberg moment” with co-founders. If you have, share it below—I wanna see something 👀. Checkout the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eDnqvnP8 #founderlife #startupstories #entrepreneurship #teamwork #founderlessons #innovation #collaboration

I believe in the importance of maintaining a startup mindset at all times, regardless of how much we've grown. It's crucial to continuously push ourselves to do better and strive for excellence every day without settling. Companies should never be content with their current position; progress is a continuous uphill battle, akin to climbing stairs one step at a time. Do you share this perspective

The Best Way to Raise Capital for Your Startup: Storytelling, Visuals & Clarity Raising capital can feel like climbing a mountain. You’ve poured your heart and soul into building your product, but when it comes time to pitch to investors, the results often don’t match the effort. Why is that? After working with numerous founders, I’ve noticed one thing over and over: great products don’t raise money—great stories do A pitch deck full of numbers, graphs, and long paragraphs simply won’t cut it. Investors have seen it all before. What stands out is your ability to tell a story use visuals that resonate and present clear financials that don’t leave investors scratching their heads. Let’s break this down, and I’ll share some real-life examples of startups that used these principles to raise millions. Every great pitch starts with a compelling story. It’s not enough to say, “Here’s my product. Here’s how it works.” You need to dive deeper and explain the **why**. Investors are human beings—they want to feel a connection to your startup’s mission. Your story gives them context and helps them understand the problem you're solving on a personal Use Visuals that Speak: Think about the last pitch deck you saw that was filled with dense paragraphs, endless bullet points, and too many data points. How much of that did you actually remember? The truth is, investors don’t have time to sift through mountains of text: They’re reviewing hundreds of pitches, and you have just minutes to grab their attention. That’s where the power of visuals comes in. Their deck was memorable because it was visually appealing and easy to understand—something every founder should aim for. Example: WeWork: In its early days, WeWork was very transparent with its financials, giving investors a clear path to profitability. They broke down their revenue per square foot, how much each location was generating, and how they planned to scale. While WeWork's story took a different turn later, in the beginning, their clarity and transparency were what attracted massive investments. #RaisingCapital #PitchDeckSuccess #StorytellingForStartups #consulting #bookkeeping #calltoaction #calltocall #bookyourcall #services #jobs

Just finished The Lean Startup by Eric Ries and had a revelation: today's job market is basically one big startup, but with fewer beanbags and more existential dread. We're all pivoting like our lives depend on it, hustling harder than ever, and treating failure like it's just another coffee break. This book was a hilarious mirror to the chaos: adapt, experiment, and embrace the madness. If your career feels like a never-ending episode of "Survivor: Office Edition," give this a read.