Midori Verity

You know that feeling when you have a brilliant idea for a startup, but you're not sure if anyone else will actually care? Yup, me too! But - here are some ways to get out of your own way! 1) Identify your theory/assumption. 2)Get creative! Test your assumptions. Talk to potential customers, run surveys, build a simple prototype (aka MVP). - Pro-tip: ️‍Starbucks is a great place to do market research! Little caffeine punch + research = boom 3) Don't be afraid to be wrong! We all have blind spots, and testing is the only way to find them. 4) Be prepared to pivot. If your data tells you that you need to change course, do it! The best startups are constantly evolving and adapting to the market. Cheers to your success!

I suggest practicing a pitch that is no more than 5 minutes long. Yes, they may give you more time, but if you have refined it clearly and with punch, they'll be more likely to ask for more info. Creating a conversation allows the potential investor to get to know you and see if there's a synergy. You should be making sure you want to work with them too. Let's be real - having an investor can be the greatest accelerator to your objectives. They can also be the biggest nightmare that makes you want to quit, work at Taco Bell, and live in a tent. Just sayin'! Good luck!

Know your BHAGs and how you plan to hit them. John Doerr, from Kleiner Perkins, shared a story about a company he was checking out to possibly invest in. He was impressed when he saw their company goals on Post-its in the bathroom. It was a deciding factor in his decision to invest. Doerr's approach to goal-setting is all about Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), which is a system for setting and measuring goals. He's brought OKRs to companies like Google, Intuit, and Slack. Kleiner Perkins is one of the most successful VC firms in the world. They know companies need to have clear goals and a plan for achieving them. This is why they pay so much attention to a company's BHAGs and its roadmap for getting there.

Honing your metrics strategy can be incredibly valuable in all aspects of business growth. Here's an example of the metrics I'm using for a podcast I recently launched for women entrepreneurs: 1) Email subscribers - how many sign up after a show, what was the topic, who was the guest, what was their following 2) Topic category - how many followers do I gain after a show, are they my target audience, what are their demographics (maybe I'm missing a category I didn't realize) 3) Listen time - How long is the average listen time. When do they drop off. 4) Video clips - I apply the same metrics above to the video clips we release. Also, I watch what days and times seem to get the most visibility. 5) Personal - When do I feel most engaged.

Here are 5 steps for a go-to-market strategy - for women entrepreneurs. 1. Embrace Your Unique Perspective as a Woman Entrepreneur Your gender is a Super Power. 2. Have a Circle of Successful Women Do you have a solid network of badass women who are supporting your growth? This can be one of the most valuable assets to have. 3. Know Your Target Market Ya gotta know your target audience. Know their demographics, pain points, aspirations, and buying habits. 4. Define Your Value Proposition Answer, "Why should I choose you over your competitors?" It’s ok to talk about how fabulous you are - as long as it fits your product/service. 5. Prioritize Self-Care and Balance Ladies, become a pro at delegating tasks and refueling your energy.