Ownership is the Future’s Post

I decided to participate in DSW this year. Here's a note from the opening session: "As a startup you need to be comfortable selling your passion, your vision, but your product may only be half baked. You have to be okay selling a half-baked baby." I get it, but at some point each business will need to pivot past their enthusiasts and into a larger market who is less tolerant of buggy execution and diy/minimalist sales and training materials. How do you know when it's time to finish baking your baby? And can a founder, self-trained by the frenzy of improvised development, make that transition when the time comes? We can help with that. https://BrightJOY.com

It's All About Impact – Product Feedback From Black Eats Fest. Philly & Friends had the awesome opportunity to vend at Black Eats LDN this weekend, and let me tell you – the insights we gained were pure gold! Having a new team member, Jasmin Mitchell, helping at the stall really helped me step back and see things from a fresh perspective. Here's what we learned: What Connected: My book, Who Do I See in the Mirror? - Seeing people's faces light up when they opened it was priceless. It's still our best and fastest seller. Once it's opened, our customers can't resist it. ❤️ Our occupations learning cards - parents and especially teachers loved the representation and variety of occupations featured on the cards, 35 different professions, from miner to movie producer. Our Affirmation cards – empowering kids is a message that resonates across cultures. The Sticking Points: More demand for boy characters in illustrations – I hear you, and we are working on it. Stay tuned 😊 Some folks didn't have the right-aged kiddos at home or in their friendship circles (hear hear! Our sweet spot is 0-7) More accessibility - People want to see our products in more places for easy purchase. What Grabbed Attention: Puzzles and flashcards were instant eye-catchers...the book sometimes needed a nudge but quickly sold once spotted. (Display is key! We had the book displayed at the back of the table; it wasn't an easy reach) Loved seeing kids gravitate towards the dolls and puzzles. They fell in love instantly. The People Who Cared: Dads were surprisingly quick to purchase – love it! Teachers were eager to have them as classroom resources. Gifting for the younger generation was a big motivator. The Takeaway: It was an amazing event for us; even those who didn't buy were touched by the mission. Representation matters, and I'm so proud of how Philly & Friends sparks those conversations. 💪🏾 Well done, Jackson Mclarty, for another successful event, Black Eats LDN was amazing. Great job. PS: We have a few key pop-ups lined up this year and can't wait to share them with you. ----------- Philly & Friends is a play and learning brand on a mission to add a drop of colour to the playroom, classroom and bookshelf. We empower parents, carers and educators to raise confident and actively inclusive children through the power of diversity in the playroom. #representationmatters #blackownedbusiness #kidlit #kidlitart #diversitymatters

Here are the 2024 vision statements for all of my business ventures: LakiKid: In 2024, LakiKid envisions a world where every classroom is equipped with sensory tools that empower children with sensory sensitivities to learn and thrive. Our commitment is to innovate and expand our reach, ensuring that sensory inclusivity becomes a standard in educational environments globally. SellerFuel: In 2024, SellerFuel aims to be at the forefront of e-commerce solutions, especially for the toy industry. Our vision is to revolutionize online retail strategies through our ToyLaunch program, empowering clients to maximize their digital presence and market impact, setting new standards in e-commerce excellence. ToyLaunch: Entering 2024, ToyLaunch aspires to be the catalyst for change in the toy industry's approach to e-commerce. We are dedicated to equipping toy businesses with cutting-edge digital marketing tools and insights, driving innovation and growth in a rapidly evolving digital marketplace. Sensory Inclusive Classroom: For 2024, Sensory Inclusive Classroom is committed to transforming educational spaces into inclusive, sensory-friendly environments. Our vision is to collaborate with educators, parents, and experts nationwide, advocating for and implementing sensory-inclusive practices that cater to the diverse needs of all learners.

This is the perfect example of using Kickstarter to build a scalable business. In 2020, we launched TidyBoard's 1st product... It was a huge success. We just finished the launch of TidyBoard V2... It was also a huge success. But more important than these successful launches is the fact that TidyBoard built a successful business. Their strategy looked something like this: 1. Launch 1st hero product 2. Scale through e-commerce 3. Make new version based on feedback 4. Launch 2nd hero product 5. Scale through e-commerce The strategy repeats. And the business grows.

Reading through the full list of 50 life lessons from pop-up dinners over on the studio blog this week. I’ve learned through years of doing, and realized just how relevant these moments have been to all areas of life. From design to community building to knowing what tools to use, I come back to this list regularly. If anything resonates, I’d love to know what life lessons you’re taking. — #brandingstudio #designthinking #veganfood #lowwaste #startupfounder #startupbranding #startuplessons https://lnkd.in/gqtr_jdu

Early-stage founders, this post is for you. Do you want to get more done, with less cash, and sell less of your equity? If so, you should learn about Keepers. We created an alternative to the dev shop that helps you build and retain your own LATAM-based team that integrates into your own culture and mission. Resulting in teams that are more creative, productive, and accessible. Say hi 👋 to learn more.

Launching 'Homemade': A Three-Sided Marketplace Built in 8 Weeks by Studio NoCode We're proud to present a case study on 'Homemade', our first MVP at Studio NoCode. In just 8 weeks, we collaborated with an entrepreneur to build a platform that connects event hosts with local caterers, streamlining operations and fostering growth in the DC food scene (from design to production application). Here's what we accomplished: -Scoped, designed, and launched a complex three-sided marketplace. -Integrated features like a rating system, delivery scheduling, and dietary preferences. -Overcame challenges related to data quality and user experience. What our client says: "David and JJ built a platform that's helping us scale in DC and beyond. Their expertise with Bubble.io facilitated a lean approach essential for our mission." Check out our full walkthrough for insights on building your own MVP. To watch on youtube, check out the link below. #StudioNocode #BubbleDevelopment #FoodMarketplace #MVP #CaseStudy

Back from Easter, its time for the second Deadly Sin from my time building Perkbox. Sin #2: Building for Hyper-growth Once we accomplished product-market fit there was seemingly incessant demand for Perkbox and I became obsessed with hyper-growth. 🚀 Our team grew from 30 to 150 and revenue 12X in 2 yrs to hit £15M with little external funding. Champagne bottles were popped every month as we hit new revenue records. 🍾 But as some of our earliest customers started churning, it hit me hard and the thrill of hyper-growth faded. I learned the hard way: it's far far better to Build to Last (as Jim Collins famously said). 🌱 We refocused management efforts – not on chasing vanity growth metrics, but on deeply investing in customer success. We made it our mission to help our community thrive on our platform. The results? Existing accounts expanded, and happy customers became our best advocates. 📢 At 5Mins.ai, our motto from Day 1 has been "Build like Hadrian", whose architectural masterpiece The Pantheon has been standing strong for 2000 yrs! 🏛️ Have you fallen into the "build to grow fast" trap? What lessons did you learn? PS: Stay tuned for my next 5 Deadly Sins. Follow me Saurav Chopra PPS: One of my favourite videos on Customer Obsession from Jeff Bezos in comments in our Founder's playbook channel. 👇