Harry Riley’s Post

**Experience the Future of Work: Embrace the Millennial Mindset & Unearth Revenue Growth Amidst Startups & Entrepreneurship**Thriving in the ever-evolving work landscape means acknowledging the millennial mindset & embracing their values of work-life balance, flexibility, and purpose. In a world where remote teams are growing by leaps & bounds, startup culture echos a freer, innovative future of work that redefines success.As an entrepreneur, venturing into startups unlocks freedoms & challenges unlike any other. With a determined vision, startups are the cutting-edge forums to build a future-proof enterprise. Start carefully but confidently, invest in your product & resonate with your audience to create both a cultural impact and revenue growth.Thrive in this new era of work by honing your entrepreneurial acumen & paving the way towards a freer, more fulfilling future for both yourself & your company. Magic happens when personal branding meets entrepreneurship – let's forge a partnership today & propel our collective potential beyond the ordinary. Be a game-changer. Get Inspired. Start-ups await you.

I keep getting asked about the perks and challenges of surviving the startup world. So here goes... Let’s talk, just you and me. You’re at that crossroads, wondering if the startup world is your next big move. Maybe the thought of building something from scratch excites you, or maybe you’ve heard one too many tales of overnight success. But before you dive headfirst into this chaotic, exhilarating world, let’s get real about what you’re signing up for. First off, if you’re expecting a linear path to success, think again. Startups are more like a rollercoaster with unexpected loops and sudden drops. For example, there was a time when we launched a new feature, and the app crashed for hours. Fun, right? Not exactly. But here’s the thing—we learned, we fixed it, and we moved on, stronger and smarter. Another time, we spent weeks prepping for a big pitch. We nailed it—or so we thought. Instead of business, we got a list of 20 things to fix. It was a gut punch, but it taught us the art of resilience. But let’s not forget the perks. Nothing beats the rush of seeing your idea come to life or the camaraderie that forms when a small team rallies to hit an impossible deadline. The joy of a win—no matter how small—feels like a victory lap at the Olympics. You’re not just clocking in - you’re creating, innovating, and growing in ways you never imagined. Now, if you’re conflicted about making the switch, here’s my advice: Get clear on what to expect and what not to. Expect long hours, uncertainty, and moments where you’ll question your sanity. Don’t expect immediate success, a cushy routine, or an easy ride. But if you’re up for the challenge, if the thought of navigating the unknown excites you more than it scares you, then welcome aboard. Just remember, it’s a wild ride, but for those who are up for it, there’s nothing quite like it. #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CalculatedRisks #1to10Journey

🚀 New Startup Management Concept: Founder Mode by Paul Graham, YC's OG In his latest blog post, Paul Graham dives into a fresh management style called "Founder Mode," shaking up the old "Manager Mode" approach. Inspired by Airbnb’s Brian Chesky at a YC event, Graham highlights how typical management strategies just didn’t cut it for Airbnb. 🤔 Chesky pointed out that the usual advice to "hire good people and let them run wild" sometimes backfires. 😬 So, what are these two modes? - Founder Mode: A hands-on, flexible approach where founders dive deep into all aspects of the biz—think skipping hierarchies and rolling up your sleeves!  - Manager Mode: A more modular style where leaders let teams handle their own mess—often missing the mark for scaling startups. Right now, there are no textbooks or biz school courses on Founder Mode—so it's trial and error for many founders out there! 📚💡 Graham gives a shoutout to Steve Jobs’ annual retreat with 100 key Apple players—not just top-tier execs. 👏 This highlights how Founder Mode can adapt and evolve within a company. He believes mastering Founder Mode could lead to major gains in management effectiveness. But watch out! 🚨 There’s a risk of misuse—like founders who can’t delegate or managers trying too hard to be visionary. Let’s see how this shakes up the startup scene! 💥 #StartupLife #FounderMode #ManagementMatters

Diving into the world of advising and investing in startups has been an eye-opener. I'm meeting founders from all walks of life, and honestly, it's a mixed bag. There's a noticeable divide: some are riding the social media wave, chasing after the next guru or "hot tip" as if that's the golden ticket. On the flip side, you've got the "sledgehammer" folks—my kind of people—putting in the grind with unwavering determination. I kicked off my first venture at 17, armed with nothing but a dream and an unmatched work ethic. No backers, just relentless 15-20 hour days, every single day, for over two decades. Sounds intense, right? That relentless push was behind hitting nearly half a billion in retail sales. Reflecting on this, it's quite astonishing to realize that all those hours translate to roughly 60 working years by conventional measures. Honestly, before I dove back into my journals and calendars, I would have bet it felt more like 80+ years! This journey was never about the spotlight or making a name for myself. It was about the grind, tackling real challenges, and creating lasting value. That's the piece I find lacking in some founders today. They're caught up in the hype, obsessed with branding and image over substance. The founders who truly resonate with me are those ready to get their hands dirty, to "build ugly." They understand that true creation isn't pretty—it's about being deep in the trenches, fully committed to the process. Building something great doesn't come with looking good; it comes from hard, often messy, work. As I dive deeper into the startup scene, I gravitate towards those embodying this sledgehammer mentality. It's not just about making noise; it's about hard work, innovation, and creating a meaningful impact. So, to all the founders out there, here's a piece of advice: real success is the result of real work. Don't get sidetracked by the hype. Keep your feet on the ground, stay focused, and build something genuinely impactful. #StartupLife #RealWork #Entrepreneurship #NoShortcuts #BuildingToLast

Running or being part of a #startup is like being on a rollercoaster that tests your mettle at every turn. As someone who's worked in early stage businesses for years and, currently working so closely with startups, I've witnessed the highs and the inevitable lows. Each challenge, from funding hiccups to pivot pressures, is a lesson in building a business that's not just surviving but thriving. Here's what these experiences have taught me about resilience: Embrace the Pivot: Startups are all about agility. Sometimes, the biggest setbacks can lead to the most successful pivots. It's about staying flexible and open to change. Foster a Strong Team Spirit: The power of a united team can't be overstated. Resilience is a group effort, rooted in trust and open communication. Learn from Every Setback: Every obstacle is a learning opportunity. The key is to analyze what happened, adapt, and apply those lessons moving forward. Celebrate Every Win: In the startup world, no win is too small. Recognizing progress is crucial for morale and keeps the team motivated through tough times. Keep the Vision Clear: Staying focused on the long-term vision helps navigate short-term challenges. It's the beacon that keeps you moving forward. I’d love to hear from you all – what challenges have you faced in your startup journey, and how have they shaped your resilience? Balance The Grind TNG Media The Nudge Group Hao N. Steve Grace Nicolle Hann-Dunbavin

Ever wondered what drives a startup’s success amidst all the chaos? I really enjoyed reading the interview with Flawless' Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Nick Lynes, in Authority Magazine with Yitzi Weiner. It's always inspiring to hear the 'rhyme and reason' from our leaders, especially when the day-to-day craziness of startup life can sometimes overshadow the bigger picture! Some key takeaways that stood out to me: 🔹 Solve a Real Problem: Startups often get caught up in selling an idea, but real success comes from addressing a genuine problem for people or businesses. Before seeking investor backing, ask yourself, "Is this truly worth my time?" Brutal self-awareness is key. 🔹 Vision and Resilience Are Essential: Building a successful startup isn't just about having a great idea. It demands a steadfast commitment to your long-term vision and a deep well of resilience. Embrace the ups and downs, knowing that the real reward is the growth and self-discovery along the journey. 🔹 The Power of an Outstanding Team: Success hinges on hiring talented individuals and creating a culture rooted in honesty and shared purpose. As Peter Drucker famously said, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," and that’s especially true for innovative startups. Check out the full interview on our website — link in the comments!

”Founder mode” is the latest essay by Paul Graham, and it is exploding on X. It can be summarised as: Founder mode = get sh*t done, talk later. Manager mode = talk about sh*t, do it later. Not Everyone Is a Fan Borys Musielak wrote: "Founder mode" works for exceptional founders only. You're probably not one. The problem of scaling a company in "founder mode" is that it usually ends up a horrible place to work. Your "founder mode" startup becomes a place where the CEO micromanages every detail of the operations, refuses to hire competent people to do what they're good at, requires founder-like mentality from even the lowest level employees with nothing close to founder-level compensation or equity and gets really angry if things are not moving his way (it's always a he).Can "founder mode" work when implemented correctly? Sure, it seems to have worked pretty well for the shareholders or Apple, Airbnb and other high growth companies. Is it good for your startup that you're just trying to scale up? Most likely not. I personally think the right way could be mix of both also depend on company to company and founder to founder. "All the great questions have only personal answers." #founders #culture #startups

🚀 The Art of Knowing When to Shut Down Your Startup by Aaron Harris Partner at Y Combinator As founders, we often celebrate successes, but it's equally important to discuss the challenging decision of when to shut down. Having gone through this myself, I want to share some insights: 1. The Zombie Trap 🧟♂️ It's tempting to keep a struggling company on life support. But beware - this "zombie mode" can drain resources and morale. Sometimes, a clean shutdown is the braver choice. 2. Stakeholder Considerations 🤝 • Investors: They understand risks, but hate being misled. Be transparent! • Customers: A gradual decline in service is worse than a clean exit. • Employees: The hardest part. Be honest and help them transition. 3. The Decision Framework 📊 Ask yourself: a) Any growth ideas left? b) Can you grow profitably? c) Do you want to work on the resulting startup? d) Do you want to work with your current co-founders? 4. The Emotional Journey 🎢 Shutting down is tough. It feels like admitting failure. But remember: • It's a sign of maturity and business acumen. • It frees you for new opportunities. • Most successful entrepreneurs have faced this. 5. The Aftermath 🌅 • Short-term: It's normal to feel down. Give yourself time. • Long-term: Many founders find this experience invaluable for future ventures. 6. Reframing Shutdown 🖼️ Instead of viewing it as an end, see it as: • A learning experience • A chance to reset • An opportunity to apply lessons to your next venture Remember, the ability to make this hard call is a crucial entrepreneurial skill. It's not about never failing; it's about failing smart and fast when necessary. Have you faced this decision? How did you handle it? Let's discuss and learn from each other's experiences! 👇 #StartupLife #EntrepreneurialJourney #BusinessDecisions #StartupAdvice #FounderLessons

What founders described (in secret) about what it feels like to run a startup. Over the past few weeks, I've asked various founders from pre-revenue to post-PMF YC alums a simple question: "What does running a startup feel like, to you?" Their answers resonate but paint a vivid picture of the entrepreneurial journey. Here's a quick summarized/paraphrased recap of what I've heard so far: > Shooting Darts in the Dark "You're constantly aiming, but you can only judge success by the sound of impact. When you hit, you've gotta shoot again, so keep listening." > Athlete x Scientist "It's like being a scientist relentlessly running experiments, but with a top 0.1% work ethic... but you'll never get a medal ceremony." > Emotional Paradox "You always feel bad. Failure feels bad. Success feels bad because everything breaks." (went a bit dark after that) > Obscure & Elusive "You're obscure because you're a nobody in an ocean of millions trying to stand out. Your past doesn't matter. You're elusive because you - and everyone else - have no idea what you're really doing." > Corporate Comfort "Being an employee was so easy. It was like school with clear expectations, available mentors, instant rewards. You'll have to learn how to function without all that." If I would've read this before starting a company, I would've been surprised and probably taken it with a grain of salt. But now, they certainly resonate. I think they perfectly describe the cognitive dissonance you'll experience. Here's the thing: It's not a bug. It's a feature. It's a breeding ground for resilience and mindshift changes. Remember: It's good to know that even the most successful founders felt just as lost as everyone else. Many unicorns went nowhere for years. Your ability to persist through this chaos is a superpower worth forging. So, if you're an obscure founder shooting darts in the dark: Keep shooting. What are your favorite metaphors? Share them below. // Day 82 of my 100-day challenge of daily #RealTalk from my entrepreneurial journey. You're invited to follow along. #StartupLife #FounderJourney #EntrepreneurialSpirit #100DayChallenge

In the start-up journey, there will only be 2 kinds of moods that your company will be in: One is usual, that all of us know, it will be when the hell has broken loose and everyone is on their toes, trying to get stuff done, pulling off extra hours, just fixing the blocks of the puzzle. Let's call it THE PHASE, this is where the majority of fast-paced work gets done. Then there will be other times when there will not be much to do. This will be the DOWN phase. Things will be smooth, and the majority team will be low on work load, idle, and waiting for that one person or that one team to get done with their piece of the puzzle so that everyone can get into THE PHASE again. It is during the second phase, the not-so-momentum phase, where it becomes important for founders to maintain the pace, mindset, and internal momentum of the people working to build the business. More importantly, it is during the second phase, the down cycle, when the founders themselves need to keep their momentum going because this is when majority doubt sets in. And a lot of questions set in as well. The startup is made in THE PHASE, but the path is paved in the down phase. The down phase is as important, if not more, important than THE PHASE and the momentum. The majority of thinking happens in the down phase. It puts things into perspective. So at times, you will feel that things are not moving, that is when you wait, take a macroscopic view, and put things in perspective. So that when things start to move again, you know what you have to do. #startup #founders #phases #culture #building #0to1 #0to16