Matthew Kelliher-Gibson, MBA’s Post

What people think being a startup founder is: • Creating a cool product • Working flexible hours • Making quick profits What it usually is: • Navigating complex legal and financial landscapes • Juggling multiple roles and responsibilities daily • Building and leading a diverse team with varying skill sets • Constantly iterating on your product based on market feedback • Managing cash flow meticulously to ensure sustainability Being a startup founder is not for the faint-hearted, but the rewards of perseverance are unparalleled.

A Successful Launch ≠ A Successful Start-up Founder I should know, I once launched to 6.7 million eyeballs and still struggled. What drives success isn’t the initial attention. It’s what founders do once they have it. The best founders I've worked with had great launches, but the real wins came from years of focused work: • Developing a clear vision • Solving meaningful problems • Operating with integrity • Focusing all their time on a single business • Building a team with the right skillset (including themselves) I salute them for building businesses to be proud of. ----- I realised I couldn't focus on 2 businesses at once. I left "building product" to the professionals and decided to help them launch it instead. In the last 2 years, I've worked with 30+ tech founders. Going all in on Waking Dreams Media, which I love, was the best decision I ever made.

When you’re chasing big dreams, it’s easy to get lost in strategy and numbers. But here’s a simple truth, which I've discovered as a startup founder: A thriving company starts with a thriving team. As a founder, I’m learning that helping my team succeed isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about small, consistent actions that make their work a little easier and their days a little better: Frequent Check-Ins, Beyond Work Not just about deadlines—more about “How’s everything going?” It’s amazing how a quick, genuine chat builds trust. Giving Ownership Letting my team lead projects and make decisions. Empowered people bring their best ideas. Ensuring Resources & Clarity Whether it’s training, tools, or just a clear path, I want them set up for success. Celebrating Every Win It might sound small, but a quick shout-out for a job well done means a lot. Creating Space for Open Feedback A healthy team needs open feedback—both ways. I want my team to feel heard, always No startup is built alone. Supporting your team isn`t just a nice thing to do; It`s a game-changer. How do you support yours?

Why everyone in Tech is talking about Founder Mode. At a recent event, Brian Chesky from Airbnb gave an eye-opening talk about running companies. Basically he challenged the usual advice given to founders about growing a company, which often boils down to "hire good people and let them do their jobs." So in short, founder mode is about how founders should run their companies differently than traditional managers. Instead of stepping back and letting managers take over as the company grows, founders stay deeply involved, just like Steve Jobs did at Apple. But here's something I've been thinking about after reading about this: Wether you agree with this way of working or not, why is every startup founder given the same advice? "Hire the best managers and give them space to do their thing." It seems like we’re all being told to run our companies in a way that suits someone who didn’t actually start them. Shouldn't founders be able to run things in their own unique way, especially since they know their vision best?

Ever wondered what it takes to build a team that grows with your startup? It is not always easy, to be honest... but we’ve learned about what it takes to make it work! First, it was one…then two… and eventually, our team began to grow! I hired people who shared the same > passion for what we were doing. But growth didn’t come without its challenges!! With every new hire, there was a new dynamic to manage, ⟶ a new voice to listen to, ⟶ and new responsibilities. But those were the moments that taught me the most about ↪️ what real growth means. 🙌 Here’s what we focus on to keep our team motivated and growing: ↳ 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆. We support our team’s progress without rushing. ↳ 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Regular feedback keeps us open and connected. ↳ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱. Everyone understands our vision and their part in it. ↳ 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀. Recognition keeps our team motivated and valued. ......................................................................................... Growing our team is a journey, and I’m proud of what we’re building together at Doerz Tech ▶️ How do you sustain growth in your team? ▶️ What’s your biggest challenge in building a strong team? Found this helpful? Don’t forget to repost. ♻️ #doerzteh #teamdoerz #teamgrowth #sustaingrowth #strongteam

Why do I invest in second-time founders? Experience matters. First-time founders bring fresh ideas and energy, but there's something special about second-time founders. They've been through the startup journey before. They know the highs, the lows, and the unexpected twists. Here's why experience is key: 1) *Problem Solving Skills* They've already faced challenges and found solutions. They can navigate hurdles with ease. 2) *Resilience* After setbacks, they're still standing. This strength is invaluable. 3) *Network and Connections* They've built relationships that open doors. 4) *Focus on Execution* They understand the importance of getting things done. 5) *Time Management* They know where to invest their time for maximum impact. Experienced founders have been in the trenches

I cannot stand this : Working on OnlyFounders, We've heard a lot of people say: “I have a great idea; I just need a co-founder.” But here’s the truth: An idea isn’t enough—it has to be *our* idea for a partnership to thrive. Want a co-founder who’s in it for the long run? It’s about more than just pitching an exciting concept. Building a successful team takes: → A shared commitment where both founders truly believe in the vision   → Collaborative decisions that give each founder ownership of the journey   → Recognizing that the strength of the team, not the idea, drives success   → A foundation of trust and respect that fuels every tough decision   → The understanding that great partnerships are what bring ideas to life Ask yourself: Are you just looking for someone to help with your idea? OR, Are you creating a vision that’s strong enough to be *their* idea too? A co-founder isn’t there to support a solo dream—they’re there to build something extraordinary together. P.S. If this resonates, share it with someone who’s searching for the right partner. And if you are Looking for a CoFounders : www.onlyfounders.app

No matter how good your idea is, your startup will never succeed (let alone getting good investment) if ⁠→You don't build a strong founding team Because? - A strong founding team is like a puzzle, with each piece unique but together forming a complete picture. - Diverse skills, strengths, and perspectives are essential for a well-rounded team. - A good team can help you handle challenges and make better decisions. Build a team which has - Shared Vision: Team members who share your passion and vision. - Diverse Skills: A range of skills and experiences that complement each other. - Effective Communication: Open and honest communication is key. - Empowerment: Team members who take ownership and make decisions. - Support: A team that supports each other through thick and thin. Remember, a strong founding team is crucial for startup success. By prioritizing teamwork and building a diverse, skilled, and supportive team, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goals.

BUILDING AN “A” TEAM: THE SECRET SAUCE TO STARTUP SUCCESS Want to assemble the dream team for your brand? Dive into my blog below to read my journey of building an “A” team, where finding people with the right attitude and shared vision turned our brand dreams into reality and tips to build you own "A" team. Full blog below 🙌 https://lnkd.in/giUQ4ji6

At the heart of every great startup isn’t just the product, brand, or tech—it’s the people. • Brands can be built. • Products can be fixed or reinvented. • Tech will keep evolving. But a strong, committed team? That’s your edge. It’s the people who solve the toughest problems, celebrate the wins (even the small ones), and keep pushing forward when things get hard. Your team is the engine that turns ideas into impact. If you get the team right, everything else will follow. So: ✔️ Build trust. ✔️ Invest in growth. ✔️ Hire for values, not just skills. ✔️ Celebrate the journey together. In the end, it’s not just about what you’re building—it’s about who’s building it. What’s your take? How has your team shaped your journey?