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WikiLeaks cables reveal how US manipulated climate accord... http://plu.gd/cXP

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Breaking News: Rap legend Marion 'Suge' Knight arrested on outstanding warrant - LA Times
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Breaking News: Iberia cancels its Spanish flights until Sunday morning after air traffic controllers all say they're sick - AP
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Online payment service provider PayPal cuts off account used by WikiLeaks to collect donations - AP http://wapo.st/eglAdM

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Breaking News: Spanish airspace has reopened following air traffic controller strike, airport officials say http://bit.ly/dWKVBA
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Obama pardons 9 people, 4 for cocaine offenses... http://plu.gd/cXu

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Breaking News: White House announces President Obama has granted nine pardons - AP
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Spain orders its air traffic controllers to resume work or military will take over control of airspace - AP

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Man claims injury from exploding DROID phone... http://plu.gd/cXk

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Breaking News: U.S. and South Korea agree to boost U.S. exports and lift tariff on Korean cars - AP
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High school football player flagged for thanking God. Story: http://goo.gl/OS3OB

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NASA moves final launch of space shuttle Discovery to no earlier than Feb. 3 http://bit.ly/evCInN

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US Proposes Requiring Backup Cameras in All New Cars... http://plu.gd/cX2

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GOOGLE BUYS NYC BLOCK... http://plu.gd/cWw

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Are we freezing because of global warming?' http://plu.gd/cWG

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Obama Makes Surprise Trip to Afghanistan... http://plu.gd/cWO

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Breaking News: More on Afghanistan visit: Bad weather forces Obama to cancel face-to-face meeting with President Karzai, will talk by video hookup
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Breaking News: President Obama arrives in Afghanistan for unannounced visit - ABC News
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Fw: NASA: Atlantic Hurricanes 2010:...

NASA: Atlantic Hurricanes 2010: Storm tracks & rainfall (from NASA's TRMM satellite) from an active season. http://go.usa.gov/1Kv
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Big Brother...

Feds Warrantlessly Tracking Americans' Credit Cards in Real Time... http://plu.gd/cWA

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KKK Snowman

KKK snowman with noose appalls neighbors... http://plu.gd/cWv

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Breaking News: French government moves to ban WikiLeaks from French servers http://bit.ly/hgw9o5
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Officials: Charges possible in Nigeria probe of Halliburton

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Breaking News: Disappointing U.S. employment news: Hiring in November grows by just 39,000 jobs, far below estimates http://bit.ly/hyijdT
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German hackers allegedly steal upcoming pop music... http://plu.gd/cVP

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Breaking News: House sends to Obama bill to quiet blaring TV commercials http://on.msnbc.com/dNUmKQ
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Fw: BreakingN ews: Update on Rep. Rangel

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Fw: Breaking News: Rangel censure...

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Breaking News: Update on Rep. Rangel: A House majority votes to censure him for ethic violations, roll call continues - AP
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Breaking0News: More WikiLeaks: Cables describe scale of Afghan corruption as overwhelming - NYT http://nyti.ms/eR0ATZ
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Breaking News: Iran arrests several people it says were behind the murder of a nuclear scientist - Bloomberg http://bit.ly/eqpONo
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PAPER: ASSANGE IN UK... Police close in... Legal options narrow... AMAZON faces boycott... WH: Call for Hillary's resignation 'ridiculous'... UPDATE: Latest WIKILEAKS developments... Philly mayor to reinstate 'Christmas' to village market sign... Top AIDS activist LARRY KRAMER: Obama is NOT a leader... McCain: Premature to end military's ban on gays... White robber who carried out six raids disguised as black man... SHOCK: Police Dog Dies After Being Thrown Into Traffic By Robbery Suspect... Classroom Beating: Student Gets Pummeled While Teacher Sits Back... Scientists Find 200 Sextillion More Stars in the Sky... What is NASA's Secret Announcement? Man cops plea to masturbating in WAL-MART toy aisle...

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FED SECRETLY BAILED OUT GE -- GE NEWS OUTLETS FAILED TO REVEAL IN FED COVERAGE ...
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Hundreds of billions of dollars...
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BANK OF AMERICA Becoming 'Bank of Asia' as Revenue Increases 30% ...
MORE SECRETS: Fed Withholds Data for $885 Billion in Loans... 

Speaker-to-be calls tax cut politicking 'chicken crap'... http://plu.gd/cUr

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Are Aliens Among Us? Sort of, NASA Says. Not extraterrestrials, but life like you've never seen it before http://fxn.ws/fb9Iw0

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Breaking News: Obama knocks FIFA's...

Breaking News: Obama knocks FIFA's decision to award Qatar, not the U.S., the 2022 World Cup: 'Wrong decision'
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Breaking News: NASA to announce new life form: Bacteria that thrive on arsenic that redefine 'life as we know it' http://on.msnbc.com/hxMfEh
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Health premiums surge 41%... http://plu.gd/cUp

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Atmosphere of Alien Super-Earth Revealed for First Time By Clara Moskowitz The first-ever analysis of the atmosphere of an alien planet classified as a so-called "super-Earth" has revealed a distant world that is likely covered with either water vapor or a thick haze, scientists announced today (Dec. 1).

Breaking News: Russia to host World Cup finals in 2018 - ESPN http://es.pn/fxsoLA
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Breaking News: Controversial U.S. deficit-slashing plan picks up two more GOP supporters http://on.msnbc.com/fLSGtU
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WH: Call for Hillary's resignation 'ridiculous'... http://plu.gd/cUj

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Breaking News: Thai police detain suspects in forgery ring linked to terror attacks in Spain - Bangkok Post http://bit.ly/ijt6rF
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Breaking News: J&J recalls 12 million bottles of over-the-counter Mylanta, 85,000 bottles of AlternaGel liquid antacid http://on.msnbc.com/gWTVoP
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Breaking News: House GOP leader scrapping climate change committee http://huff.to/e7bDvz
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Breaking News: After controversy, Philly mayor puts 'Christmas' back in name of holiday village http://bit.ly/igejUs
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Breaking News: Some A380 Engines could have defects

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Breaking News: 6.9-magnitude earthquake strikes New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea - USGS
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Breaking News: Spokesman for Russian PM Putin says claims made in leaked U.S. diplomatic cables about Putin's wealth are 'ridiculous' - Reuters
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BreakingN ews: European Union plans tougher trading rules for banks and brokers - Reuters
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Obamacare lawsuit dismissed..

Va. judge dismisses challenge to Obamacare... http://plu.gd/cSJ

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TALKRADIO HOST OFFERS $50,000 FOR ARREST OF ASSANGE... http://plu.gd/cSR

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WTF! News

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Obama reneges on pledge to open up offshore oil drilling sites... http://plu.gd/cSH

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Stocks Soar

Breaking News: U.S. stocks soar, up more than 2% on good economic news - WSJ http://on.wsj.com/g6Z4r9
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Gay Marriage

Illinois Senate OKs civil unions for gay couples; governor says he will sign the measure - AP

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U.S. AIDS Funding Program Started Under Bush Credited With Saving Millions: http://goo.gl/Padxn

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Amazon cuts off Wikileaks.org

BreakingNews: #Amazon Terminates Relationship With #WikiLeaks, No Longer Hosts Whistle-Blower Website

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White House: 'We're Not Scared of One Guy With a Laptop'... http://plu.gd/cSD

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Scientists Find 200 Sextillion More Stars in the Sky... http://plu.gd/cSt

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Ant Covered Jesus Pulled..

Smithsonian pulls ant-covered Jesus piece from exhibit... http://plu.gd/cSx

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Breaking News: Judge orders Wesley Snipes to Prison...

Judge orders Wesley Snipes to a federal prison in Pa. next week for the actor's tax conviction http://abcn.ws/dWpCzz
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Health News

Perfluoroalkyls Used in Fast Food Wrappers Show Up in Human Blood... http://plu.gd/cSh

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100,000 Apply for 1,000 Flight Attendant Jobs... SACRIFICE: Obama offers to delay Hawaiian vacation for tax talks... REWARD: CITI to Hire Obama's Ex-Budget Chief Orszag... REPORT: SEC showed leniency to bailed-out BANK OF AMERICA... Stock Falls on WIKILEAKS Fear... Fed to release details on $2 TRILLION lending programs for financial institutions, foreign banks... Developing... Cash-Strapped Newark Forced To Lay Off 14% Of Police Force... Commission's deficit plan includes sharp cuts in military, higher retirement age, tax changes... HOT MIC: Senator on lame-duck session: 'It's all rigged'... VIDEO: GOP Rep Blasts Dem: 'This is why the People have Thrown You Out!' Barkley slams Obama's hoops game... CARTER: OBAMA READY TO FIGHT... Saudi king takes over wing of NY hospital... Man serving 7 years -- for guns he owned legally... Armed student holds high school classroom hostage in Wisconsin... Why did he do it? CHICAGOLAND: Riders using transit ID cards issued to people who have died... FEDS WARN OF VITAMIN D MEGADOSING... Senate Passes Overhaul of Food Safety Regulations... Small-farm owners wary... Doctor will do late-term abortions at suburban D.C. clinic... City has hundreds of mystery stop signs...

Google book store is coming soon

Interpol puts out alert for WikiLeaks' Assange

Snoring, sleep problems may signal heart risk

Court-martial hearing set for soldier accused of misconduct in Afghanistan

Trial for suspect in Elizabeth Smart case to resume after medical disruption

Report: S. Korea discusses more joint military drills with U.S.

Storm system threatens eastern US

Michael Jackson's dad files wrongful death suit against son's doctor

Russia will build up forces without New START, Putin says

Fw: Breaking News: Dow Jones up nearly 200 points on positive data..

Breaking News: Dow Jones up nearly 200 points in response to robust U.S. jobs figures and manufacturing data http://on.wsj.com/gPQek8
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Nasa to make Space Shuttle tiles available..

NASA makes 7,000 space shuttle heat shield tiles available for schools & universities: http://go.nasa.gov/fWjAPM #STEM #edu
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Fw: Breaking News: Oil drilling ban to be maintained...

Breaking News: Oil drilling ban to be maintained in key areas over next five years, Obama administration to announce http://wapo.st/foq6is
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Breaking News: Senate GOP announce they will block votes on any issue until Senate acts to fund government, block tax hikes http://yhoo.it/fbmVxf
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“Your Baby Is Not Beautiful” And other startup advice

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Pam Hoelzle in Business

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

photo fishermansdaughter
“Your babies not beautiful” and other startup advice….
The other day I hosted an entrepreneur chat led by Todd Dean who is now CEO of Brace Audio. Todd  has a resume full of entrepreneurial pursuits, the most recent being founder of Keiretsu Forum, an angel investor forum based in the northwest. I invited Todd to share startup advice with the MBA students at Northwest University.
We had a lively conversation that centered around common startup mistakes and myths.
I thought I’d share  some of the take aways. And thanks Todd for leading the conversation and being so generous to spend time  with the students and I. If you’re an entrepreneur located in the greater Seattle or Bellevue area and want to be invited to our next entrepreneur chat, make sure and drop me an email at pam @ pam hoelzle.com or call me.
Start up Advice. Startup Mistakes. Entrepreneur Myths.
1. “Your Baby Is NOT beautiful.”
Entrepreneurs often fall into the same category as new mom’s and dads. They fall in love with their creation; idea, product, service or venture. Soon they become so enamored with their prodigy they can’t see reality from fantasy.
Let’s be honest. Your ‘baby’ isn’t beautiful.Every entrepreneur thinks they’ve invented the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Now, get over it. More important than ‘is your startup beautiful?’ is; is this the right time to launch your baby?  Is this the right business model? Do you have right team and the expertise to sustain success? Have you really developed something of  value? Are you bringing real innovation to the market? And do you have the resources? Here’s a quick overview on the startup process so you can get over staring at your ‘beautiful baby’ and begin building it…
2. You are trying to do too much, with too little. Your aim is too wide. That’s too big of a chunk to go after, at first.
Time and time again us  entrepreneurs want to eat the entire pie. We resist the urge to niche and focus. We want to do this + 40 other things all in one business model.  Refusing to focus, niche and prioritize is one of the reasons many startups crash and burn.
Get over yourself. Get real. Where is the real opportunity that you have an innovative solution for? Now drill into it; focus, niche, segment. And put together a plan to win ‘this’ space, this battle.  Then expand. Here’s a free business startup tool kit I’ve developed if you need some resources.
3. Your business model is all wrong.
Entrepreneurs have some sort of affection for business plans. Business plans don’t really count, sorry to tell you.And most of the time Todd and I concurred,  what’s wrong isn’t the ‘plan’ ‘it’s the business model itself; the way the venture delivers value and innovation, how it makes money.
Business modeling is a fine art. Most entrepreneurs have great ideas but could really use help putting it into a model that can succeed. A business model is like a bike. It’s  the vehicle to transport you from here to where you want to go. It’s dynamic and flexible; you can change it up during the journey-based on the terrain you find yourself in.
4. Wrong client.
Most entrepreneurs over focus on the consumer and under focus on other customer segments, targets. Whose under served? Who has the most pain? Often business to business plays, serving one of the players in the distribution channel can offer loads of opportunities.
5. Don’t go it alone.
Most entrepreneurs have a freedom, pride, independence issue. Great. But look around. Almost no one has all the skills, knowledge or resources to do it all.
Team up. What expertise, knowledge and resources do you need to succeed? Now how can you get these people on your team – even if it’s just in an advisory position?
6. Timing does matter.
Don’t be stupid. Timing is darn near the most important element. TIMING, market timing matters. Just talk to the owner of the horse and buggy cart or the manufacturer of records.
7. Eyeballs are NOT equal to Revenues.
Go take those eyeballs to a group of angel investors and see what they say. Most people we know, still prefer revenues to eyeballs. And if you have both. Better yet. SWEET.
8. Traction matters.
Get over the idea that sales, contracts don’t matter. Especially now in this current economy. Create traction. Get into an alpha ( if you need a technical term) sell something, prove this ‘beautiful baby concept’, get some contracts. Traction matters especially if you want to attract other people’s babies, I mean money.
9. Leadership does too matter.
Entrepreneurs often pooh-pooh leadership. Who needs a leader? I’m the entrepreneur ALMIGHTY. Well you might just be Richard Bronson the second. But if this baby is actually beautifully profitable and it starts growing this venture is going to need a leader.
One of the primary reasons startups fail  is the lack of leadership. Some entrepreneurs are crappy leaders. Accept it. Deal with it. Get a leader on the team.
10. Revenues do solve a lot of problems.
Drive Revenue. Really.
11. Don’t override your gut.
Intuition is your friend. I call it ‘God whispering’. Listen to your gut throughout the startup journey and surround yourself with a team of advisors that are rich in startup experience and startup advice and counsel, who are great at listening to their ‘guts.’
12. Running out of money is not fun.
Most entrepreneurs launch on too big of a front, scale and then run out of money. And then they do it again.  We are an insane bunch aren’t we?
How about creating revenues and growing in sync with your sales, profit traction and cash? Or how about not launching till you have enough money to achieve the goals necessary to get  someone else to invest?(Boy I wish I’d listened to this startup advice years ago!)
Start up advice. What’s yours? Your baby might not be beautiful…..
Pam Hoelzle
Learn more about me here

NASA Sets News Conference on Astrobiology Discovery: NASA will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. EST ... http://go.nasa.gov/gihgV4
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