Highlights for Entrepreneurs (09/14/23)
Paul Shapiro
CPA (retired), Startup Advisor (CFO and Controller for early stage tech and internet companies); Highlights for Entrepreneurs newsletter
Hello! I've been enjoying getting together with people in person more often, especially one-to-one, both old and new?friends, founders and not. If you'd like to set up a meeting, don't hesitate to contact me directly.
I've noticed several newsletters now being distributed via LinkedIn...I posted the first edition of this one three weeks ago and picked up quite a few subscribers (thank you!)??If you'd like to receive this via email, just let me know. I hope you're enjoying the information and the music selections.
Here are this?week's resources for you to check out.?Get in touch if you have any feedback,?sources or possible interested?readers!? If you know of any?upcoming events, please pass them along too! Until next week,?be safe and healthy!?
...?and take some time to care for yourself!
Paul?
- For Stripe users (or prospects): will explain how improving your checkout experience creates a competitive advantage and maximizes revenue.
-?Discover effective strategies for establishing fruitful partnerships with Fortune 100 companies in Silicon Valley with Tomasz Kolodziejak.?
- "wars discussion regarding the current state of venture capital globally."
- "Join us for an enlightening session on Series A funding and beyond with Taissa Maleh, General Partner at Expert Dojo."
- (NOTE: I found out about this event through a LI message; I don't have any other info) The Business Show offers free advice and support for budding entrepreneurs and business owners. With over 300 exhibitors, 150 speakers and masterclasses and keynotes including Microsoft, GoDaddy, Google, Meta and Forbes Council
- Learn a comprehensive approach to understand what drives employees and how you can support their growth and wellbeing with BPM
- This event series is for founders looking to level up their fundraising game and gain insights from investors and experts who can help SoCal founders prepare for fundraising.
- Delving deep into the psychology of pitch-related fears, this webinar will illuminate the common barriers that entrepreneurs face when stepping into the spotlight.??
- ?the emotional, cognitive and physical toll that founding and leading a start-up takes, is dangerously overlooked and rarely spoken about. This report is based on research from 400+ founders?
- "Join us for a fantastic kickoff to the fall season of WDM, as we once again convene a gathering of smart people talking about media, entertainment, technology, and more;"
- "..gain invaluable insights from three distinguished industry-leaders who have honed their expertise in the rapidly evolving world of SaaS and subscription-based businesses."?
- Struggling with the move from WFH to RTO? This article from CFO Brew will help make the transition work better.Take a "measured approach to remote work policies—one which addresses leaders’ concerns about productivity and culture while meeting employees’ desire for flexibility."
12)?? Mucker: Company Culture: How to Scale Without Losing Your Soul with Todd Emaus (Article/Video)
- Defining your culture is important, living it and communicating are important as well. Read/Watch to learn what NOT to do, and strategies to use to succeed
- Part 1 from Gust on learning about Accelerators. I'm a mentor at the Stubbs Alderton Preccelerator - let me know if you want more info or an intro.
- The BEST startup SaaS businesses need to reach $10m ARR in 3 years once they begin earning revenue. (The median take 5 years)??
- newly launched discounts, modifications to existing discounts, relevant news from their?vendor and partner networks, and more!
Some Musical Diversions???:
This Week's Treat:?
Another new discovery via American UK
...and something else:??
Just for fun:
Something new from The Stones with a fun video that may have been more appropriate in an earlier time
This week's cover:?
I'm such a fan of Leon that I'm linking to the whole album. I also highly recommend listening to his own albums - he was a unique genius
___________________
Paul G. Shapiro, CPA
Startup Consultant
Santa Monica, CA
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BELOW THE FOLD
If you ever want to?unsubscribe, just send me a note.
If you see anything in your own reading that you think is worth sharing, please send it?my way. Also, if you know anyone else who might?be interested in this content, send me their email and I'll add them to the distro.
领英推荐
My JDRF Plug:?
I've raised almost $10,000 so far this year!? Can I count on you for support of this great cause??
We normally raise money for the JDRF Walk but this year, we're putting all of our support into the JDRF Ride.? Depending on my injury recovery, I plan to be riding my 8th 100 mile ride this fall.? If you can, please make a donation of any amount at this link:?Click this link to donate to my JDRF Ride ?for 2023. These funds are used for Type 1 diabetes research (my daughter has had T1d since 2002)??
We were able to raise almost $30,000 for the 2022 Walk -?thanks to everyone who donated in the past AND in 2023!
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In Case You Missed?Last Week's Edition:
09/07/23:?
Taking a moment from a client offsite to send this out...I was supposed to be in Grand Rapids this weekend, working on my 8th JDRF 100 mile ride. Coincidentally, I started PT yesterday for my clavicle. Bittersweet reminders of my accident in?April....but I still hope to put together a Century, if my training allows (more info and?donation link ?Below The Fold,?after my music selections).
RIP Jimmy Buffet:?Come Monday
I've noticed several newsletters now being distributed via LinkedIn...I posted the first edition two weeks ago and picked up quite a few subscribers (thank you!)??If you'd like to receive this via email, just let me know. I hope you're enjoying the information and the music selections.
Here are this?week's resources for you to check out.?Get in touch if you have any feedback,?sources or possible interested?readers!? If you know of any?upcoming events, please pass them along too! Until next week,?be safe and healthy!?
...?and take some time for yourself!
Paul?
- This workshop aims to demystify financial concepts, empower participants to make informed financial decisions and provide practical insights into managing the financial aspects of a startup.
- Join this exclusive event to get your questions answered by an expert panel of VCs. It’s the perfect opportunity to gain valuable insights with like-minded entrepreneurs in the SoCal Startup community.
- Two different LAVA events:
-?(A)?the first requires an?application in advance?with a restricted attendance. "Meet the VC event where we accept hot early stage and emerging growth startup founders to hear presentations from over 20 Venture Investors (mostly VCs but including some direct family office/HNW investors."
-?(B) "In addition to the 20+ VC funds, 70+ selected founders, and 10+ family offices coming out of Meet the VC downstairs, expect over 100 other entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners & investors to join in the party!"
- The showcase will introduce you to?an?incredible set of companies for the first time, and kicks off a series of opportunities to interact with the winners
- Rather than posting these individually, here's a few LA Tech events in one place. If you go to one, please let me know so I can be sure to promote it in the future.
-?Get access to startup experts, Google Cloud and Firebase costs covered up to $200,000 USD (up to $350,000 USD for AI startups) over 2 years, technical training, business support, and Google-wide offers.
- Their?goal is to identify founders who prioritize organizational growth over fundraising and to support them in achieving that growth through their experts and specialists.
- You?want to make sure of one thing: that the KPIs you choose directly impact the result you’re trying to achieve.
-??Taking all the steps to?grow LTV effectively?will take you and your business on a direct path to sustained growth and success.?
- "Here are some...tips I’ve been giving to female founders I mentor based on my own fundraising experience that are more timely than ever and go beyond the usual platitudes."
- HR can be a forgotten resource at startups; this guide will provide some tips to improve the process for bringing on new hires?
- Great resources for KPIs and understanding the economics of SaaS companies; to subscribe use this link:?https://join.thesaascfo.com/8637c968/
- Be a line, not a dot as you think about your startup journey, plus 5 other good tips from a VC
- Get better informed about SAFE notes and Convertible notes with this article (from a law firm providing startup services, fyi)
-?Investors and operators typically use revenue multiples as shorthand for estimating the valuation of a company but many folks fail to understand the underlying unit economics of why those multiples make sense.
Some Musical Diversions???:
This Week's Treat:?
Unreleased track from Diamonds and Pearls
...and something else:??
This week's cover:?
Sort of a pseudo cover, since Skunk was the guitarist on the original song
Just for fun:
- almost a two-part song, nice