logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2019
22m 35s

The Right Way to Get Your First 1,000 Cu...

Harvard Business Review
About this episode
Thales Teixeira, associate professor at Harvard Business School, believes many startups fail precisely because they try to emulate successful disruptive businesses. He says by focusing too early on technology and scale, entrepreneurs lose out on the learning that comes from serving initial customers with an imperfect product. He shares how Airbnb, Uber, Etsy ... Show More
Up next
Jan 2020
How to Capture All the Advantages of Open Innovation
23m 57s
Jan 2020
Revisiting “Jobs To Be Done” with Clayton Christensen
25m 46s
Jul 30
Introducing The Founder Mindset: Tim Ferriss on Experiments, Risk, and Freedom
What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur in today's uncertain world? How do you balance risk, decision-making, and curiosity? We’re sharing an episode from The Founder Mindset with Reza Satchu, the new podcast from Harvard Business School Foundry about what it truly take ... Show More
32m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
The Strategy Mistake Too Many Startups Make
Many founders try to emulate startups that have already become successful. But Thales Teixeira says that approach, which often involves trying to do too much, too quickly, can lead to failure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to find customers who aren’t being served by existing ... Show More
24m 39s
Mar 2023
How To Earn Customers For Life
<p>In this first in-person episode, Michael Seibel and Dalton Caldwell reveal how startups can gain a competitive advantage by doing something deceptively simple. They share compelling stories of companies that built loyal relationships and achieved success by making personal con ... Show More
12m 58s
Jun 2023
Secrets You Can Learn From Your Customers
<p>Successful startups don’t just build technology – they solve human problems. The key is listening to the people who really matter: your customers.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In this episode, Michael and Dalton discuss how spending real time with your users can unlock insights and grow ... Show More
14m 49s
Jan 2023
How to Get Your First Customers with Gustaf Alströmer | Startup School
<p>How do you get your first customers? YC Group Partner &amp; former Head of Growth at Airbnb, Gustaf Alströmer, gives tactical advice to answer this question for all kinds of companies — whether you&#39;re B2B or B2C — and discusses why it&#39;s important for founders to do sal ... Show More
22m 53s
Sep 2024
24 Steps to Launch a Start-Up
Many people aspire to entrepreneurship. But Bill Aulet, who has advised founders for decades, warns that it remains a high-risk endeavor. In this episode, he outlines concrete steps anyone can take to get a new venture off the ground — including intrapreneurs within large organiz ... Show More
28m 46s
Feb 2024
How to Get Your First 1,000 Users
Episode 113: Today’s read is by one of my favorite startup creators, Lenny Rachitsky. The essay, How To Kickstart & Scale a Consumer Business, breaks down the seven proven strategies to acquire your first 1,000 users as a B2C startup. I’m going to read through each of the strateg ... Show More
35m 9s
May 2024
Lessons From Startups
“Ideas are cheap; the people are what matter.” Startups face a lot of risk. But research suggests that 65% of startups fail because of one particular problem: people. Ricky Mulvey caught up with Martin Gonzalez, creator of Google’s Effective Founders Project, to discuss what publ ... Show More
19m 57s
Mar 2021
MBA1734 Why You Should Start a Small Conference
<p>Yes, even during COVID.</p><p>Most countries now allow small gatherings. That’s a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs. By putting together a small networking opportunity, you can score big. </p><p>Your credibility will rise. Your network will grow. And you’ll get a strong reput ... Show More
10m 1s
Jul 2024
How to Scale a Start-Up
Managing rapid growth is a huge challenge for young businesses. Even start-ups with glowing reviews and skyrocketing sales can fail . That’s because new ventures and corporate initiatives alike must sustain profitability at scale, according to Harvard Business School senior lectu ... Show More
27m 45s