We’re hiring!

Back to back blog posts of (shamefully) plugging our careers page. We’re looking for interns, entry-level, and senior-level positions! Imagine joining a startup that already has the funding, customer base, social media reach, and technical infastructure in place to scale?

Q&A Section

Q: You moving 110% all the time? - Stetson

A: Nahh. I’m a big fan of the 85% rule. If you’re not familiar, there’s a good article about it in the Harvard Business Review.

“OMG you would love…”

At least once a week somebody encourages me to check out a new incubator, accelerator, or conference. I respond politely, but I find that 90% of these things are a f**king waste of time.

In my eyes, they’re a cash grab and usually disguise themselves as “elite networking opportunities.” With that being said, my original statement would suggest 10% of them are actually solid opportunities.

That’s why you have to understand the motive of the event or organization.

1871 Innovation Fall Cohort

The more exclusive the better. And yes I know this is obvious, but don’t confuse exclusivity with paying $$$$$ to attend some fancy panel discussion.

From a founder perspective, I look for things like the 1871 accelerator, a non-profit incubator based in Chicago. You don’t pay anything (outside of your time), nor do you give up any equity, and applicants are hand selected.

Obviously their motive is to introduce Chicago as a (great) hub for startup founders. So you know they’re going to make it convincing. Such as intros to potential investors, partners, customers, and other resources.

Also, it concludes with a summit (that you get to present at for freeeeee) for an elite fintech-focused audience of 250ish attendees.

Its experiences like this that propelled me to apply for a similar opportunity in New York.

The goal is to avoid scenarios where you’re another number in the crowd.

A Few Examples

Nobody needs another lecture about networking, but I’d like to share a couple examples of how I make the most out of things like the 1871 program.

Before Day 1, I shot emails to every major contact I had in Chicago (see example above). This stretched from VCs, angel investors, industry execs, and old JPM colleagues to let them all know I’d be around.

And yes, this email is purposely structured to be a short, sweet and humble brag. So they’re aware that things are going well because EVERYBODY in the Chicago tech scene knows about 1871 and it’s exclusivity.

But more importantly, you have to take advantage of the exposure. Whether it’s a keynote speaker, program mentor, alumni, or community member…you MUST follow up (example below).

But don’t forget that any type of startup event or program is a popularity contest. That’s why it is imperative to have exciting announcements, product developments or any powerful one liners about your business.

Of course there’s a “we’re all in this together” mentality…yet I also leverage the fact I’m the youngest founder in this cohort and also the only one with tens and thousands of social media followers to my advantage.

Be a purple cow, ya know?

Always have an arsenal of headlines, announcements, and exciting developments to share. People like to join and follow a startup bandwagon.

But I Need To Vent

Don’t forget about the other 90%, which are a total waste of time. I especially find this with most conferences.

Unless I am getting a free ticket, free speaking opportunity, or free booth to set up, I’m not going.

Because there are maaayyybbeee 1-3 people that are at these things who really matter. And they usually are the keynote or a panelist who leaves immediately after their speaking engagement.

For the most part, people are there to sell you something.

OFF NEXT WEEK

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’ll be back with a fresh post on Thursday, December 5th. Thanks for reading, Habits fam.

-JB

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