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

Startups are Built at the Expense of Founders

Startups are often built at the expense of Founders long before they are built for our benefit.

Why No One Returns Our Sacrifices

A lot of Founders are tied to this idea that employees will commit the same level of sacrifice as they would for the company. And that people will appreciate what they do and stick around no matter what happens. But it’s all an illusion.

Even in Failure, Founders Deserve True Respect

When a business fails, Founders often wallow over how people react and what they can say about the situation. The adverse reactions don’t matter. What should matter is who stays to help pull you out of the rubble.

Can I Lead Without Being Liked?

It’s a Founder’s job to make difficult and unpopular decisions, even unconventional ones, which may merit the team's unfavorable reactions. So, at what point will being likable still matter?

When To Admit “I Messed Up”

There's absolute power in being able to claim not only our victories — but our losses as well.

Who's Qualified To Be A Founder?

Being a Founder is a job that anyone can get and no one is qualified for.

How Do I Sell The Vision? | Startups.com

Communicating a bold vision isn't just about how it's delivered, it's about how it's crafted.

Manage Downside First, Big Opportunity Second

Who cares how fast we can scale if we're not around long enough to do it?

Why Money Can't Buy Happiness

Money can't actually buy our happiness — but is it only happiness we want, or something deeper?

How Transparent Should I be With Staff?

As Founders, it's our job to set the tone for optimism in the workplace. When it comes to our own feelings, transparency is a huge luxury.

Never Tell People How Much Money You Have

The reality is from the moment we have wealth, everyone is going to relate their needs to our bank account. And there's an easy fix to that: don't talk about it!

Is This The "Right" Co-Founder?

When it comes to co-founders, we need to be 100% all-in, or 100% all out. Any space in between is a recipe for disaster.

Why Isn't Anyone As Committed As The Founder?

There are certain aspects of your Startup that you’ve got to shoulder on your own. After all, a Founder’s superpower is the intensity of their commitment.

It Doesn't Matter if My Startup is Bigger Than Yours

Is it a waste of time to compare our startup with other startups? Absolutely. And here's why.

How Founders Get Rich Without An Exit

Most Founders get rich without ever exiting their business. Yes, you read that right.

Funding is a One Way Street

There is a lot to think about before raising money. If we weigh out all the possibilities, we can be confident in choosing that path for our company.

How to Make Potential Failure Less Scary

As Founders, fear of failure is inevitable. But what are we really afraid of? And how we go about unpacking it?

I Can't Have That — And That's OK

At some point, when we've paid the bill of ambition enough times — we start to realize there's a limit to how much we're willing to pay.

When do Founders Get a Raise?

As Founders, when is it time for us to get a raise? How do we establish reasonable expectations so this can work for us, as well as our company?

Why Selling a Startup Brings No Validation

There's a huge difference between getting some validation from a job well done and literally validating our ego solely from our startup.

Why Doesn't Anyone Understand What I'm Going Through?

Trying to explain what we do to anyone is a challenge — unless it's another Founder. We need to consider our audience and mold our response to "what we do" depending on who we are talking to.

Should We Focus on Profit or Growth?

Just because we're a startup doesn't mean we are entitled to profit or growth — so what do we focus on when we really want both?

When am I "Too Old" to Launch a Startup?

When is it "too late" to start a startup? Is there a point where it's no longer feasible to assume the risk associated with starting a company?

Many Startups Shut Down a Few Times Before Succeeding

Shutdowns are a part of the startup lifecycle. The sooner we recognize that the sooner we can get back in the game for the next run!

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