Austin

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Celebrated Contributor

Arsonist

Executive

Start Up - Puzzle Pieces

Sup Savages,

I’m in the very early stages of starting a brand.

So far, regarding IP, I’ve secured my LLC’s, domains, social media platforms & TM’d my “slogan”.

As far as my team, I’ve aligned myself with licensed “raw material” suppliers, got a CFO, content creator, and a consultant making sure I don’t miss a step while developing my business plan.

I’g got my pitch down cold. I know the visceral buy-in buttons to push. I know I can sell this vision.

Vague as this description is - I am asking the War Room community to help me by sharing lessons learned on start ups that y’all have experience with.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Best Regards,

🎈 Mentorship

👑 Sales Strategy

🧢 Sales Management

16 comments

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SDMHGWarrior

Tycoon

CEO

This is what I do for a living (coach entrepreneurs). Develop your processes now. Write them down. Follow them and don't deviate. Set up your tech stack with CRM, Docusign, ClickUp, etc now. Don't deviate from your process, no matter how big the $$$

Salespreuner

Big Shot

Regional Sales Director

Effective and powerful approach. 💯

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Thank you for the advice. Will chase all of this up.

I sincerely appreciate it.

Rallier

Politicker

SDR Manager and Consultant

The biggest issue I had was over planning. At some point you just need to sell, everything doesn’t have to be perfect

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Thanks, Rallier - appreciate your contribution.

I’m with you - I just wanna roll.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

I'd love to help. This is right up my alley. Ay specific questions you have?

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Hey Ace - thanks for the quick reply!

I guess one question (of millions) I’ve got is how to manage expectations of others.

I’ve reported to someone else my entire career. This is the first time that dynamic has shifted and I am expecting deliverables from those I’ve aligned with.

I’m moving at light speed but I can’t seem to get my financial partner to complete the business plan, despite my giving him all the tools required.

Full context, we all have day jobs while we develop this brand. So I’m giving as much slack as I can, but I want to have a Don Draper style presentation pulled together to pitch the shit out of my idea so we can all get PAID!!!

Any wisdom you’d be willing to share - war stories, etc. - would be most welcome.

Best,
AB

braintank

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Developing a brand is very different from running a business. Brand does not equal revenue.

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

1. When it comes to managing expectations of others, you should focus more on your customers expectations. Quick and easy resolutions of their problems will keep you paid and will be easy for retention. And as a CEO, its your job to get everyone on the same page - Customers first, Team second. As you grow, the dynamics change - The employees become first prio and then customers.

2. What do you need in business plan? Not sure what are you waiting to get from the financial partner?

3. Presentation doesn't matter unless you have an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). I would suggest don't think about powerpoint and cashflows until you have a prototype that is validated. Who are your customers? Can you find that target group in your friends? Test your prototype on them - Validate the idea. Use 'The MOM Test' to validate the idea if you don't have a prototype.

4. Loving the energy and passion. One way to make sure this never dies is to map your next moves. Map, don't plan. By which I mean know what milestones to hit and when but be flexible regarding your path to hit those milestones.

And if you've any more questions, shoot! I'll help as much as I can

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Understood. Thanks for the perspective.

Admittedly I’m likely being a bit optimistic - but if... ehrm... WHEN I pitch this and get seed money / investment capital I expect, income will not be an issue.

That, plus I have some $$$ tucked away that would give me and
my family 1 calendar year without changing our lifestyle before I’d have to draw my next paycheck.

Does this change your perception of the situation at all?

Respectfully,
AB

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

I don't think so in that case. You have enough cushion. Go for it. If you want seed money at this stage of your startup, then apply to accelerators like YC and 500 Startups and Techstars. Other VCs usually don't invest in this stage.

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Wow. Thank you so much for the thoughtful and detailed guidance.

I don’t currently have answers to all of the questions you posed - but I will work to answer them.

This is all tremendously helpful and I’m super grateful.

I will be coming back to you, Ace!

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Again, extremely helpful advice. Much appreciated, Ace.

THIS is why I wanted to be in the War Room!!

Your willingness to help by asking the questions I don’t know to ask myself.

Thanks for being here!

Ace

Arsonist

CEO

Anytime @Austin . I am passionate about startups. Working on them and helping others working on them keeps me going. It's a tough journey so I have immense respect for people who tread that path.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Ideal customer profiles, asap.

Don't land grab, go for the type of customer who will be an advocate in your space.

Austin

Celebrated Contributor

O&G O.G. - Sales Mgr. - NCSA

Thanks Beans - appreciate the thoughtful advice.

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Austin

Start Up - Puzzle Pieces

16 comments

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