Wil Schroter

About

Wil Schroter is the Founder + CEO @ Startups.com, a startup platform that includes Bizplan, Clarity, Fundable, Launchrock, and Zirtual. He started his first company at age 19 which grew to over $700 million in billings within 5 years (despite his involvement). After that he launched 8 more companies, the last 3 venture backed, to refine his learning of what not to do. He's a seasoned expert at starting companies and a total amateur at everything else.

Articles

Beware the Absentee Landlord of Equity

You can’t simply assume that you’ll still be compensated for the equity without continuously providing value to the company’s growth. It’s a simplified Math problem. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid.

Startup Culture is a Reflection of its Founders

Everything you do has implications and if you let instigators of negativity be, you’re allowing a nasty culture to spread.

Why Co-Founders Often Don't Last

Likened to marriage, having a cofounder requires a commitment that comes with consequences when and if the Startup fails — and coming up with an action plan when the business turns out to be a total flop.

The Case for Growing Slowly

Instead of going full force too fast early on, take the time to understand whether the bets you’re paying back or not and when it’s time to change direction.

Don't Rush into Your Second Act

After a successful exit, most Founders are overly eager to start their next big idea and land another win. But is that the best approach to take?

It's Not What We Own, It's Whether It's Liquid

Owning 100% of an asset is the same as owning 0% if it's never liquid.

That Founder Sold For Too Little!

Why is it that people are constantly belittling the outcomes of startup Founders when they exit?

When Can I Feel Good About Taking a Break?

It’s critical that you take a break in between milestones — unless you want to get stuck on productivity and run dry on creativity.

Forget "Big Ideas" — Start with your North Star

The most impossible task for a Startup Founder is to "invent a big idea."

Adding Staff Isn't a Sign Of Success, Revenue Is

Expanding is exciting, but every step we make toward growth is also a liability that we need to be aware of (and prepared for).

The Curse of the 37-Year-Old Founder

There comes a time in all of our lives where everything seems to be happening at once. For normal people, it's manageable, but for Founders, it's damn near deadly.

When Our Startup Works For Everyone But Us

The effort we put into our startup is a sacrifice in all forms and shapes, to the extent of spending less time with family, neglecting our health, or even getting a pay cut just to keep the business rolling. So, what happens when things work for everyone else but not for you?

Is it Worth Trying to Change People?

Founders won't change people's personalities, we can only manage them. And that's where we fail over and over.

Why The Last Mile Matters Most

By the time we're teeing up to sell, we're just absolutely crushed at every possible level. We've earned this moment, but we also need to be committed to seeing this through to the very end, no matter if we feel like we can, or not.

How We Leave is How We're Remembered

There always comes a time when we need to part ways with people. Every bad "breakup" can seriously damage our reputation. So, what can we do then to avoid that?

What Happens To My Startup After I Sell?

There's nothing wrong with selling, but as Founders, we have a responsibility to know what's on the other side of the sale, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.

If We Want Power, Create Power

Every Founder is used to people giving them advice on what to do or not do, but what they don't realize is something that works for one Founder won't always work for the next — and that's when we need to get creative in our approach to problem-solving.

What Will We Regret Risking for Our Startup?

Our startups can provide a ton of upside with the right sacrifice, but there are certain risks and investments that simply aren't worth it.

The Lesson We Get From "Once-Hot" Startups

As Founders, we're in the business of making dreams come true — particularly our own — so when everyone around is telling us how amazing we are, it's really hard to wake ourselves up and realize none of it is real.

What If I Sell Too Early?

Selling is a tedious process so you shouldn’t just focus on what’s happening during the negotiations but also the pros and cons after the sale is made. And of course, how much you’re being paid for selling is as important as HOW you’re getting paid.

Do We Need Offices Anymore?

The idea that more work gets done inside the office is no longer as effective as it used to be. An office setting may not be that substantial anymore for Startups. A lot of businesses are being run remotely and by far, they are progressing well.

Our Latest Success May Be Our Last

We need to recognize that whatever our latest success may be, it may in fact be our last big hit — and that's OK.

Do Societal Issues Belong at Work?

Over the years, societal and political issues are topics that can either encourage healthy discussions and debates within the team or instigate friction and division within the company. The question is, HOW do we talk about these issues?

Beware the "Superstar Advisor" Sham

The idea of bringing on a "Superstar Advisor" is usually a total sham — but it's all created by us.

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