Are You A Good Fit For A StartUp Consultant?

Let’s be really clear from the beginning: not every founder needs a startup consultant, and I know I am not the right fit for everyone.

You are not looking for a friend, a therapist, a partner, a listener, a motivator. You are looking for someone who can deliver disproportionate results to your StartUp for an equitable price. Full stop.

Think of me as a for-hire fractional co-founder. I understand your pain, have experienced my own, can speak to you on your level. We speak often and with few barriers, our conversations are between us, so we can dream and we both want the exact same outcome.

Before you consider working with me, you need to evaluate this relationship on three critical axes:

Challenging Assumptions: The Foundation of Our Work

Probably the first and most important principle of our potential partnership is that I Don’t Accept Your Position By Default.

This isn’t about being contrarian for the sake of it. It’s about ensuring we build your startup on a rock-solid foundation. Here’s why this matters:

1. Back to Basics: Often, the key to moving forward is taking a step back. I’ll ask you to revisit and validate your fundamental assumptions. This isn’t regression; it’s about building a launchpad for exponential growth.
2. Uncomfortable Growth: My role isn’t to make you comfortable. It’s to push you out of your comfort zone where real innovation happens. The thinking around the thinking.
3. Deselection by Design: I’m intentionally trying to make you think twice about working with me. Why? Because I’m in the business of deselection. I only want to work with founders who are ready, and are truly committed to building something that people want.
4. Intellectual Sparring: Every interaction with me should feel like a productive debate. I’ll push back on your ideas, not to tear them down, but to stress-test them and help you build them stronger.
5. Accelerated Learning: By constantly questioning and challenging, we create an environment of rapid learning and adaptation. This is how you’ll stay ahead.

If you’re ready for a partnership that will consistently challenge you to think deeper, move faster, and build better, then we might be a good fit.

This approach isn’t about going backwards. It’s about ensuring we’re moving forward in the right direction, at maximum velocity.

Expertise That Moves the Needle:

It’s not just about whether I’m competent – how would you even know that from a website or a pitch? What matters is whether my expertise translates into tangible progress for your startup. Every time we interact, are we fundamentally moving the ball forward? I’m not promising earth-shattering breakthroughs every day, but you should feel a consistent momentum in the right direction, at a velocity that keeps you energized and committed.

Communication That Clicks:

Do you actually vibe with how I deliver information? My style isn’t for everyone – I’m blunt, I’m opinionated, and I don’t sugarcoat. But I’m not here to dictate. I’ll tell you how I’d think about a problem, offer my opinion, and most importantly, I expect – no, I demand – that you ask “why?” I’m aiming to be as quantitative or qualitative as the situation requires, but it’s on you to decide if my approach resonates or repels.

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I’m a generalist with delayed specialization. That means it’s your job to be the expert in your field, your product, your market. I don’t pretend to know your business better than you do. My role is to accelerate your thinking, challenge your assumptions, and help you see angles you might be missing.

I’m not some guru here to tell you how to dream, think, or organize your life. My goal is to meet you wherever you are on your journey and figure out how to propel you forward. I’ll give you options, I’ll push you to think deeper, but at the end of the day, you’re the one in the driver’s seat. Always. It’s your dream not mine.

If you’re ready to accelerate your journey and willing to do the hard work – and I mean really work – then let’s talk. But if you’re looking for someone to hold your hand and be your project manager or life coach, I suggest you look elsewhere. I’m here to help you build a business, let’s fucking go.

Here’s how to know if you’re ready for what I bring to the table:

You’re Willing to Challenge Your Assumptions

If you think you’ve got it all figured out and just need someone to validate your brilliance, I’m not your guy. I’m here to ask the tough questions, poke holes in your thinking, and push you out of your comfort zone. You need to be ready to have your ideas challenged and your assumptions questioned. It’s not about being right; it’s about getting it right.

You’re Focused on Learning, Not Just Doing

Building a startup isn’t just about execution; it’s about learning and adapting faster than your competition. If you’re only interested in a consultant who will give you a to-do list, look elsewhere. I’m here to help you develop the critical thinking skills and strategic mindset that will serve you long after our engagement ends.

You Understand the Value of Slowing Down to Speed Up

Sometimes the fastest way forward is to take a step back. We might spend weeks mapping, planning, and validating before we write a single line of code. If you’re not comfortable with that idea, we’re not a good fit. I retract, you can be uncomfortable with it, as long as you understand the value of it.

You’re Ready to Invest in Yourself

I’m not talking about money (although that’s part of it). I’m talking about time, energy, and emotional investment. Our work together will be intense. You’ll be pushed out of your comfort zone. You’ll have to confront hard truths about your business and yourself. If you’re not ready to put in that kind of work, this isn’t for you.

You Value Honest Feedback Over Feel-Good Platitudes

I’m not here to be your cheerleader (although I’ll certainly celebrate your wins). I’m here to give you the unvarnished truth, even when it’s not what you want to hear. If you’re looking for someone to just tell you what you want to hear, I’m definitely not your guy.

You’re Open to Pivoting

Your initial idea might not be the one that takes you to success. If you’re so wedded to your original concept that you can’t consider alternatives, we’re going to struggle. The best founders I work with are those who are passionate about solving a problem, not just executing a specific solution.

You’re Ready to Think Big But Start Small

I’ll push you to think big – to consider the full potential of your idea. But when it comes to execution, we’re going to start small and focused. If you’re not willing to narrow your focus and resist the temptation to boil the ocean, we might not be a good fit.

You Understand That Overnight Success Takes Years

If you’re looking for a quick fix or a magic bullet, I can’t help you. Building a successful startup is a long game. I’m here to accelerate your journey, but it’s still a journey. You need to be in this for the long haul.

You’re Willing to Measure What Matters

We’re going to establish clear metrics for success, and they might not be what you expect. If you’re only focused on vanity metrics or aren’t willing to dive deep into the numbers that really drive your business, this approach isn’t for you.

You’re Coachable

This doesn’t mean you blindly follow advice. It means you’re willing to listen, consider new perspectives, and adapt your approach when the evidence suggests you should. If you already think you know everything, we’re not going to work well together.

The Bottom Line

Working with a startup consultant (me) isn’t for everyone. It’s intense, it’s challenging, and it will push you out of your comfort zone. And you will pay for that privilege. But if you’re ready to accelerate your learning, challenge your assumptions, and build something truly great, let’s talk.

Remember, I’m not here to do the work for you. I’m here to guide you, challenge you, and help you develop the skills and mindset you need to succeed. If that sounds like what you need, then you might just be a perfect fit for this kind of startup consulting.

Ready to find out? Let’s have an honest conversation about where you are, where you want to go, and whether I can help you get there faster.