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

All Founders are Beloved In Good Times

When things are going well — getting funding, bringing in high revenue — everybody loves you. But when things go south, no one is around. Is there a way this can be avoided altogether?

Our Startup Culture of Entitlement

There is danger in expecting too much from our Startup when we think we should get additional funding because the business is growing and it will merit us more opportunities. Reality check: things don't work this way.

The Bullshit Case for Raising Capital

Having lots of capital does not mean success right away. You see, it’s not all about having a lot of financial resources. You gotta have skills, connections, and the right amount of luck too! So, how much money do you actually need to scale your business?

How do We Manage Our Founder Flaws?

Sharing our flaws is terrifying. But it's how we handle the challenge that people care about.

What If my plan for retirement is "never retire"?

If your startup isn't something you love to do every day, you might have to rethink if you’re willing to do it forever or find something that you would want to do for the rest of your life.

Startup Failure is just One Chapter in Founder Life

Stop thinking that failure is forever. Your whole life is a book with different chapters and each has its own challenges. Once you finish a "bad" chapter, started on the next one, because failure is just one chapter in your life.

All Founders Make Bad Decisions — and That's OK

There's no version of being a Founder where all the decisions we make are good. What matters is what we do with what we've learned when we make the bad ones.

Startup Board Negotiations: How do I tell the board I need a new deal?

If you’re a Founder and your company is earning a lot of money but you can’t even touch the profit – then maybe it’s time to have that conversation with the board. But how can you do this without being turned down?

Founder Sacrifice — At What Point Have I Gone Too Far?

You might think now that the return on investment of all the time you spent working instead of doing the things you will never get back will be worth it in the long run but think again — are you willing to pay that price?

Youth Entrepreneurship: Can Middle Schoolers be Founders?

There are tons of benefits when you teach young children about entrepreneurship. Not only do you raise children with better critical thinking skills, but you’ll also raise problem solvers.

Living the Founder Legend Isn't so Fun

Whenever we hear a story of somebody else’s win most likely we find it inspiring and decide that we want to be like them someday. But are you really willing to go through the pain they had to live through just to be where they are now?

Why Do VC Funded Startups Love "Fake Growth?"

Some Startup companies may look like they are soaring and scaling really fast but in reality, these Startups are spending more than they are getting back from revenue. So how can we identify whether we are going the real growth route or the fake growth route?

How Should I Share My Wealth with Family?

If you're always one call away from your family or friends whenever they need money and it’s supposed to be a “loan” but they have yet to pay anything back — Tune in to find out how you can actually build a financial relationship with your family!

How Many Deaths Can a Startup Survive?

Starting a business is just a series of recovering from deaths — but when does it start getting better and when would you realize that you should stop?

This is Probably Your Last Success

You’re there, you finally made it — so you think you can replicate that success? The truth is: the probability is low, so what can you do to change this mindset?

Why Do We Still Have Full-Time Employees?

Let’s find out what full-time employment realistically is for a startup and how you make the most out of it.

The Case Against Full Transparency

Being honest with your customers and clients will help attract more people to your company, but excessive sharing of information could also create some problems. So, how much transparency is too much?

Should I Feel Guilty for Failing?

While it's perfectly natural to feel disappointed when a startup fails, it's not cool to let guilt eat away at you. The key is to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward, no matter how tough things get.

Always Take Money off the Table

Let's discuss how Founders often miss out on paying themselves and why it's essential to grab it when it happens. You might not get this chance again — seize the moment and take that money off the table now.

Founder Impostor Syndrome Never Goes Away

Imposter syndrome can be tough, whether you're a seasoned startup pro or just starting out. But with the right mindset and tools, you can learn to recognize and overcome those nagging self-doubts.

When is Founder Ego Too Much?

We all know that confidence is key when you're starting a business, but sometimes it can be hard to tell when that confidence has turned into full-on arrogance. So how do we avoid this trap?

The Invention of the 20-Something-Year-Old Founder

With the changing landscape of technology and business, more young people are starting successful companies. Let's discuss the opportunities available to young people today, and how starting a business has evolved over the years.

Once a Founder, Always a Founder

Being a Founder is an integral part of our identity, and setbacks with one startup shouldn't make us doubt our ability to succeed in the role. After all, being a Founder isn't just a job – it's a deeply ingrained part of our DNA.

Big Starts Breed False Victories

There's a big problem with early praise and big hypes at the beginning of a startup, with no assurance of success. Let's discuss why early praise can be a double-edged sword for any budding entrepreneur.

← Previous

Page 6 of 18