CS183C (Blitzscaling): Assignment 1
1. You just need to focus on making it to the next round.
Takeaway:
This really resonated with me because of the work I do at Inbound.org. The team has big goals to reach month after month, and I remember constantly trying my boss as to why we should be doing x, y or z (usually investing in content and inbound marketing). It wasn’t until I heard the words above in class 1 that I realized “Wow, Sam might be onto something. Maybe I should stop nagging him as much.” Sam is actually preparing us to play the next game. Now, it all makes sense.
2. You need to focus on that one asset that’s going to allow you to win big.
Takeaway:
I loved this quote because this is what my startup is focused on — developing a massive, loyal user base, specifically of Millennials, who need experience. These loyal young people will fill our supply side, which will draw in more demand for project posters as the supply grows.
3. Network effects are a massive deal.
Takeaway:
I’ve been toying with the idea of moving to Silicon Valley for a while now, and since the very first class, I am sold on moving. Now, my co-founder and I just need to make a plan as to how we’ll do it, logistically speaking. We’ve also made the decision to give applying to YC are all.
4. You should love what you’re starting.
Takeaway:
This isn’t so much a big takeaway for me as it is me wanting to emphasize how important I agree this is. It infuriates me that so many startups, which were started “just because,” get loads of money and then just end up giving up on it when times get rough.
5. Focus on your users.
Takeaway:
I like this quote because it reminds me to not get down about the competition. I’m extremely competitive, and I HATE losing so this one is a big one for me.
6. Is your startup actually a business?
Takeaway:
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I remember back to the day when I first got sucked into the startup world, it was not okay to say “We’re going to make money through ads,” or “We’ll figure it out.” No, when you got up to pitch, these were shitty answers, and you’d definitely lose demo day. Why is this okay now?
7. You must have a go to market strategy.
Takeaway:
This one is important to me too. My true north is growth and creative marketing. I know exactly in my mind how I will get users and meet my goals month after month, but the problem is other people, i.e. investors, do not understand what I’m thinking. This reminds me to be more diligent in documenting and illustrating my go to market strategy to others.
8. Get over yourself.
Takeaway:
Sam Altman had a zinger that slapped me right in the face about 30 under 30s. For the longest time, I’ve wanted to be a 30 under 30 because I thought it would mean I’ve achieved something amazing by that age. But that doesn’t mean crap to me after watching these videos. I am no longer focused on this vanity metric. Thanks, Sam.
9. Have a good supply of mentors.
Takeaway:
I find it interesting that people expect investors to help you in the first place. That’s what I thought mentors and advisors were for. I think a good takeaway from this quote is that you need to surround yourself with lots of people who are smarter than you because you can’t depend on people who are handing you money.
10. Make people feel valuable.
Takeaway:
This takes me back to Inbound.org, which is funded by HubSpot and founded by its CTO Dharmesh Shah. Working with Inbound.org continues to be one of the most enjoyable work experiences of my life because they make you feel like an owner, not an employee.
11. Your proprietary insight does not have to be technology.
Takeaway:
I enjoyed hearing this because I’ve never thought Freelanship’s (my startup’s) proprietary insight was technology. I’ve always thought it was our supply.
12. Supply > Demand.
Takeaway:
In the early days of Freelanship, I focused solely on supply. Now, I’ve been focusing on demand — getting more projects posted — because we need to keep our supply’s hunger quenched. We have a backlog of ~1000 freelerns (freelance interns), who we don’t want to onboard yet because we don’t have enough projects posted.
13. You must be tough.
Takeaway:
I just loved this quote. I need to get better at this.
14. You need buy-in from one person… most of the time.
Takeaway:
This reminds me that you usually need to just get buy-in from one person internally — you just need one person to love the shit out of you, and you’re in… Kind of like how Sam talks about focusing on the users, who are obsessed with you, even if there’s only a handful of them.
