Bloggers Block and Why I Don’t Blog as Much as I Should

I have now had this blog for over a year but I haven’t been able to find a rhythm to write regular posts, or even posts when a topic pops to mind.  I have a lot of respect for the startup community bloggers out there that manage to always make time to blog because I have failed miserably so far. However, I plan on turning over a new leaf starting now.  Beginning with March and each month hereafter, I plan on writing at least 1-2 posts a week on... Read More

What’s in Your Startup’s Name?

I recently read an article in the Bar Bulletin, a print publication of the King County Bar Association, by Jessica Talmadge, the award-winning designer and owner of the graphic design firm, Talmadge.  It got me thinking about one of the most important things that startups (and lawyers!) don’t do very well:  branding. If you are anything like me, when the spark strikes and you get that brilliant new product or service idea, you start thinking... Read More

Act Autonomously, Live Authentically

When a person decides to launch out on their own to start a new business, the act is often times autonomous.  Being autonomous means to act in accord with one’s self, to act or behave in a manner that is self governing.  If you are acting autonomously you are willing to do whatever it is you are doing and embrace the activity with energy, commitment, and enthusiasm.  While many may argue that your actions are either reckless and ill-timed,... Read More

Co-Found or Go It Alone?

The issue of whether you should launch your startup alone or with a co-founder comes up from time-to-time, most recently by Kevin Dick and David Lambert of Right Side Capital, the seed investment fund based in San Francisco.  At a reception held during their visit to Seattle last month, Dick and Lambert indicated that a startup with only one founder may indicate the there is something wrong with the founder or that the founder is incapable of building... Read More

Rules of the VC Game, Part 2: The Size of the Fund Matters

This is the second article in a series of posts intended to provide entrepreneurs and startups with background knowledge about venture capital financing. Many entrepreneurs and startups nowadays are very skeptical about taking VC money, and with good reason.  Not only do you have to worry about the terms of the specific deal, but also your company’s short and long term goals and how well they align, or don’t, with the VC’s financial... Read More

Why Would I Buy From You?

Large corporations, consumers, and even small businesses and startups often times make purchasing decisions based on the size of the service provider or seller.  Why is that?  Does the assumption that bigger is better really hold true?  The answer to that is, of course, no.  Size does not equate to quality or reflect that you understand your customers’ needs. Whether you are a technology startup, a large multinational corporation, a VC,... Read More

Three Insights About Hiring

I recently read a blog post on hiring by Fred Wilson and it inspired me to capture some of the learnings he has very nicely placed throughout that post.  Now, I don’t often comment on what VCs write or post but this article struck a chord with me as especially significant for many of the startups I know out there that are considering hiring.   So, here are three gems to consider when starting your hiring process. 1.  Don’t Ask for... Read More

What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From the Amish

According to Erik Wesner’s new book, Success Made Simple:  An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, over 95% of Amish businesses are around five years after startup.  That’s compared to 80% for nationwide entrepreneurship program alumni and the nationwide average of 50%.  So what is it that the Amish are doing right? Well, the “secrets” of their success aren’t really all that surprising: 1.  Hard work and long... Read More

Seattle: Hotbed of Entrepreneurship

Facebook officially announced this morning that it will be opening a new engineering office in the Seattle area.  As the Seattle P-I reported, where the office will be exactly is up for grabs, although it appears Seattle has a leg up over Bellevue. Not a bad week for Seattle considering that Michael Arrington, the founder of TechCrunch, also announced that he will be splitting his time between Silicon Valley and his new home here in Seattle, in order... Read More

Three Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

Many of my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances ask me about how to find a good attorney in practice areas in which I do not practice (like family law, estate planning, and defense). The conversation typically turns into some form of referral to someone I know and trust and whom I believe can assist. I suspect many of you out there do the same thing, that is, ask a friend if they have a good lawyer to refer you to instead of searching blindly.... Read More

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