Feel the Boot

If your first interaction with an investor is asking for money, you have already lost.Cold pitching investors has a success rate of nearly 0%. Warm introductions have a success rate of over 50%.The gap between those two numbers is where most fundraising rounds die.Most founders think they are stuck because they don't have a rich uncle or a deep network. The reality is: You just have the wrong process.In this episode, I break down the Investor Warm-Up Protocol, a 4-step engineering approach to manufacturing warm relationships from cold contacts. Read the full breakdown on the blog: https://ftb.bz/126B Watch The Video: https://ftb.bz/126V 🚀 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS1. The Deep Dive (Workshop Recording):This episode is adapted from my full 90-minute workshop, "From Cold Outreach to Capital." It covers the entire system, including target list building, email scripts, and automation tools.👉 Get the Workshop: https://FounderQuest.com/cold-outreach2. The Full System (Founder Quest Intensive):Want to rebuild your entire fundraising stack (Model, Narrative, and Outreach) with hands-on coaching? Join the next cohort of the Founder Quest Intensive.👉 Apply here: https://FounderQuest.com/intensiveIn this episode, we cover:·       The Radar Ping: How to become "familiar" before you ever send an email.·       The "Quick Question": The specific type of DM that gets a reply (and what gets ignored).·       The Update Loop: How to automate trust-building over time.·       The Trap: Why pitching on the first call kills the deal.#startup #fundraising #venturecapital #founder #entrepreneurship

🛑 Stop Networking! Build Trust and Community to Fund Your Startup | David HomanAre you an introverted founder struggling to raise capital? Do you find most networking events to be a waste of time and purely transactional? Super connector, author, and composer David Homan reveals the systematic, high-integrity approach to connection that actually opens doors to investors, partners, and key advisors.In this powerful episode, David dismantles the myth that extroverts are the best connectors. He explains why your ability to listen deeply and build relationships at the speed of trust is your most valuable asset, turning the loneliness of the founder journey into a strength. You'll learn the crucial difference between building a transactional network and a supportive community. 🔑 Key Lessons You Will Learn:·       The Introvert's Advantage: Why deep listening and high-quality, intimate connections beat "spray and pray" networking every time.·       The Non-Ask Strategy: How to talk to investors before you need money to build momentum and let them experience FOMO.·       Reputation Capital: The true cost of a bad introduction and why you must "honor the chain of connections" to protect your most valuable currency.·       The Impact Ask: A systematic way to frame your requests to potential partners or investors so they immediately recognize how they can help.·       Community Security: The high cost of opportunism and the strict rules required to filter out toxic, low-integrity contacts from your inner circle. 🔗 Resources & LinksFind the full transcript and blog post here:👉 https://ftb.bz/125BWatch the video:🎥 https://ftb.bz/125VConnect with David Homan: https://orchestratedconnecting.com/ 🚀 Struggling to Raise Capital?If you are a founder who needs checks now and hasn't built that network yet, don't worry. Learn the proven, systematic steps for warming up cold connections and securing investment directly:Cold Outreach Workshop for Founders:🔥 https://FounderQuest.com/cold-outreach#DavidHoman #FeelTheBoot #Founder #Startup #VentureCapital #RaisingCapital #Entrepreneurship #SuperConnector #RelationshipBuilding #Introvert #SEO

The 6 Startup Pitches Every Founder Needs Most founders only create one pitch deck, and it costs them investors. In this video, I’ll show you the six pitches every startup founder needs to win funding. From your 3-minute competition pitch to your self-guided deck for investors to read on their own, each version has a specific purpose. Skip one, and you risk losing the deal. You’ll learn:✅ Why different contexts demand different pitches✅ The right length and structure for each type of pitch✅ How to avoid the common mistake of using the wrong deck at the wrong time✅ How to build a self-guided deck that actually gets read By the end, you’ll know exactly how to tailor your message whether you’re on stage, in a meeting, or in an investor’s inbox. 📌 Want to go deeper? Join my Pitch Deck Alchemy workshop for a 90-minute masterclass on designing a deck that gets you funded: https://founderquest.com/pitch-deck-alchemy Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/124B Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/124V

Founder/Market Fit: Your Startup’s Early-Stage Advantage  Stop guessing about “Founder–Market Fit.” In this episode I break down how investors spot it at the pre-seed stage— and what to do if you don’t have it yet. When founders enter a market they’ve never lived, credibility gaps, weak insight, and scarce access can stall everything from customer discovery to fundraising. I’ll show you:What “Founder–Market Fit” really means and why VCs look for it before they fundClear warning signs you don’t have it (yet)Practical moves to build or borrow the fit you needHow great FMF accelerates product-market fit, hiring, partnerships, and Series A readiness Whether you’re raising your first round or refining your pitch, use these ideas to turn experience into a strategic edge. 🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS Blog article & full transcripthttps://ftb.bz/123B The Feel the Boot Videohttps://ftb.bz/123V Free founder community — The Crossroadshttps://ftb.bz/crossroads Fundability Quiz — Are you really ready to raise?https://ftb.bz/fundable

Are you outsourcing your thinking to ChatGPT? That’s a fast track to sabotaging your startup. In this episode, I share two real conversations I had with founders who said they got their market size numbers from ChatGPT. That is a red flag for any investor. The problem is not that they used AI. The problem is that they didn’t understand what the answer meant or where it came from. I walk through the right and wrong ways to use tools like ChatGPT in your startup. Whether you’re researching your target market, writing content, or creating your financial projections, you need to know what is solid and what is just noise. You will learn:·       When using AI makes sense and when it is a trap·       How to ask for citations so you can verify the data·       Why AI-generated financials almost always fall apart·       What to do instead so you can sound sharp and raise with confidence This isn’t about avoiding AI. It is about using it well so you can think clearly, move faster, and make better decisions. 📍 Join The Crossroads Founder Community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads📊 Take the Fundability Quiz: https://ftb.bz/fundable🎙 Listen to the Podcast: https://ftb.bz/podcast📝 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/122B

Most founders don’t fail because of a bad idea.They fail because fear, doubt, and hesitation stop them before they ever really start. In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with internationally recognized mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what keeps talented people stuck, and how to break free. We explore:Why so many founders never launchThe mindset shift that drives real changeHow to push through fear and uncertaintyThe discipline behind every successful entrepreneurWhy authenticity beats confidence when raising capital or building a team David also shares his powerful personal story, from working a warehouse job to tripling his income in 30 days, and building a multi-million dollar coaching business. If you’ve been struggling with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, this conversation will hit home. 🎯 Read the blog version with full highlights and the embedded video: https://ftb.bz/121B🎥 Prefer video? Watch here: https://ftb.bz/121V👥 Ready to connect with fellow founders? Join the Crossroads™ community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads 📘 Get David’s free Quantum Leap Blueprint to kickstart your next breakthrough: https://www.lifeisnowinc.com/pg-ftb

Unlocking Startup Growth: Fundraising Strategies and Resilience Tips with Paulo Andrez What separates the startups that raise capital and scale… from those that stall out? In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Paulo Andrez—angel investor, serial founder, and startup turnaround specialist—to talk about the real challenges early-stage founders face. We dig into:• Why most founders raise capital too early• What investors like Paulo actually look for in a startup• How to recover from failure and pivot the right way• Why founder resilience is more important than brilliance• The biggest reasons startups fail—and how to avoid them If you’re working on a startup and planning to fundraise (or already trying), this episode is a must-listen. 🎧 For the full blog recap: https://ftb.bz/120B🎥 Watch the full video: https://ftb.bz/120V💬 Join our founder community, Crossroads, to go deeper with conversations like this: https://ftb.bz/crossroads You can follow Paulo on LinkedIn at https:// www.linkedin.com/in/pauloandrez or on his website https://www.pauloandrez.com

Pre-Sell Before You Build: Avoid Costly Startup Mistakes — with David Hirschfeld Most startups fail because they build something no one wants.In this episode of Feel the Boot, I talk with David Hirschfeld, founder of Tekyz and creator of the Launch First method, about how to flip the script and pre-sell your product before you build it. We explore how high-fidelity mockups, early customer conversations, and focused problem validation can help founders avoid wasting time, money, and effort on products that miss the mark. If you’re an early-stage founder, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you test, sell, and refine your idea before writing a single line of code.👉 What you’ll learn:✅ Why most startup products fail✅ How to pre-sell using mockups✅ When to raise capital—and when NOT to✅ The difference between building what you want vs. solving real problems✅ Why narrowing your focus is critical in the early stages🎯 Thinking about raising capital?Take my free 5-question quiz to see if you’re fundable:👉 https://ftb.bz/fundable🔗 Connect with David Hirschfeld:🌐 Website: https://tekyz.com/🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/tekyzinc💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmhirschfeld📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tekyzinc📝 Want more from this episode?📖 Read the full blog: https://ftb.bz/119B🎞️ Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/119V🎥 Related video: Watch my episode on pre-pivoting your startup: [Insert link here]📍 Chapters00:00 Intro — Most founders build too soon02:09 Why solving the right problem matters06:37 The Launch First method explained10:27 High-fidelity mockups that look real15:17 Validating with real customer conversations18:07 Pre-selling before you write code21:42 Founder mindset mistakes to avoid27:12 Why you shouldn’t raise capital too early31:07 Real-world examples from David’s work34:57 Final advice for early-stage founders👍 Like this episode? Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more practical startup advice! #startups #founderadvice #productvalidation #entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot #presell #startupfunding #startupmistakes

Avoid These Startup Finance Mistakes — Insights from a Fractional CFO Most founders ignore finance until it becomes a problem—don’t be that founder. In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Josh Aharonoff, a fractional CFO who works with fast-growing startups to get their financials investor-ready. We talk about common finance mistakes, when to hire help, and what investors expect from your financials—especially when raising capital. If you’re pre-seed, pre-revenue, or thinking about raising capital, this conversation will help you avoid costly misstepsand get your financial house in order. Read this as a blog: https://ftb.bz/118BWatch the video: https://ftb.bz/118VTake the quiz to see if your ready for funding: https://ftb.bz/fundable 👉 Topics we cover in this episode:• When founders should start caring about finance• How to avoid common finance mistakes• When to hire a bookkeeper vs. CFO• What financials investors expect at different stages• How to think about accounting (cash vs. accrual)• Tools for sales tax, payroll, and compliance• Building an investor-ready financial model🔗 Connect with Josh AharonoffLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcfoguyModel Wiz (Financial modeling tool): https://www.modelwiz.com👉 Related episode: Watch my interview with John Li of PickFu to learn how to test and validate startup ideas: https://ftb.bz/102B👍 If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice! #Startups #Fundraising #FractionalCFO #StartupFinance #FeelTheBoot

🔥 Your Pitch is Losing Investors in the First 5 Seconds—Here’s How to Fix It! Most founders waste the most critical part of their pitch—the opening. Investors remember the first and last things you say. But instead of making an impact, most founders start with: “Hi, I’m [name], CEO of [company]…” 🚨 That’s a HUGE mistake. In this episode of Feel the Boot, I show you how to cold start your pitch—a proven technique to instantly grab attention and keep investors engaged. You’ll learn: ✅ Why traditional intros weaken your pitch.✅ How to hook your audience from the first second.✅ The power of silence before you speak.✅ A real-world comparison of bad vs. great pitch openings. Want to make your pitch unforgettable? Watch now and start strong! 🎤🔥 🔗 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/117B🔗 Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/117V🔗 More startup pitching tips: https://ftb.bz/pitching-playlist🔗 Get Help with your startup: https://ftb.bz/boost🔗 Take the quiz to see if you are ready for investment: https://ftb.bz/fundable 💬 Have you used a cold open in your pitch? Share your experience in the comments! 👍 Subscribe for more startup insights!

What’s stopping you from starting your dream business?For most people, it’s fear.Fear of failure, financial loss, looking foolish—or even fear of success.In this episode, we break down the most common fears entrepreneurs face and share actionable strategies to overcome them. Learn how to:✅ Do the research that calms fear of the unknown.✅ Test your idea with quick, low-cost experiments.✅ Build financial and emotional safety nets.✅ Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and co-founders.✅ Start small and “act as if” you’re already a founder. Your entrepreneurial journey doesn’t have to be terrifying. Take the first step today—because hope isn’t a strategy, but action is. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice and strategies! 📚 Explore more resources on https://FeelTheBoot.com✉️ Let’s connect: subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/joinRead the blog: https://ftb.bz/116BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/116V #StartupAdvice #OvercomingFear #Entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot

Why Startup Plans Fail (and Why That’s Okay) Welcome to Feel the Boot, the science of startups! In this episode, host I share three insightful sayings about planning and their relevance to startups. Using quotes from Dwight D. Eisenhower, Helmuth von Moltke, and Mike Tyson, I discuss the importance of planning and adaptability when facing unexpected challenges.Learn how to navigate the twists and turns of launching a business and how to pivot efficiently when your plans don't survive first contact.Join the discussion and share your experiences in the comments.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more valuable content! Get help with your startup https://ftb.bz/boostSubscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/joinRead the blog https://ftb.bz/115BWatch the Video https://ftb.bz/115V

Building Products Right: Essential Advice for Early-Stage Founders by Chad Perry 🚀 Building a tech product as a non-technical founder can feel like a daunting challenge. Should you hire a developer? Outsource? What about mockups, tech stacks, and budgets? 😰 In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with fractional CTO Chad Perry, who’s worked with countless early-stage startups to navigate these exact challenges. Chad shares insider advice on: ✅ Why you should start with mockups (not developers).✅ How to successfully outsource your tech development.✅ When to hire a CTO, developer, or team—and how to decide.✅ Tips for managing tech projects as a non-technical founder.✅ Why focusing on your minimum viable product (MVP) is key. This episode is a must-watch for any founder building a tech product, especially if you’re overwhelmed by the process or worried about costly mistakes. 💡 🔗 Connect with Chad Perry on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/perryonfire📢 Join the conversation: What’s been your biggest challenge when building your product? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 💬 Resources & Links:     •           Blog https://ftb.bz/114B     •           Video https://ftb.bz/114V     •           For help with fundraising, strategy, or messaging https://ftb.bz/Boost     •           More running your startup videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgMU_ie96T-I8qMi2th8SIuJfMjAkuyAe Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup insights! 🚀 #startups #founders #entrepreneurship #techstartups #productdevelopment #FeelTheBoot --- Chad’s BioI help founders and CEOs plan, build, and go to market with B2B SaaS products.But deep down I'm just a nerd who loves to code, market, and sell - and started a few tech companies. 20+ years in tech and software development, started a few businesses, trained with the world’s top marketing coaches, now supporting founders and executive teams in product development and strategy.If you want help starting or growing your tech business – connect with me on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/perryonfire/Entrepreneur. Global citizen and former digital nomad. Closet hippie and probable hipster. Bicycle rider of the mountain and touring varieties. Former motorcycle rider. Aviator and pilot with a fascination for helicopters. Real life rocket scientist who's never built a rocket.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with leadership expert Emily Hawkins to tackle one of the biggest challenges founders face: effective team management. 🚀 Whether you’re a new founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this conversation dives deep into the soft skills that are often overlooked but are crucial for scaling your business. Emily shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming a fractional COO and creator of the “Leadershift” framework, where she’s helped thousands of business owners transform their leadership style. We explore topics like:                  •               Why making assumptions about your team’s skills can cripple your business                  •               How to transition from being a “doer” to a true leader                  •               Practical strategies for delegating effectively (even when it’s hard to let go)                  •               Finding the sweet spot between too much and too little process                  •               The importance of play, rest, and variety for boosting creativity and avoiding burnout Plus, Emily reveals her free business-owner assessment tool to help you understand your leadership style and where you might need to make some shifts for success. Link to the assessment tool: https://learn.emilyhawkins4u.com/type/ Blog: https://ftb.bz/113BVideo: https://ftb.bz/113VFundability assessment: https://ftb.bz/fundableAdvising: https://ftb.bz/advising Key takeaways:Founders often lack management experience and need to learn team optimization.Assumptions about team members can lead to significant business challenges.Transitioning from doer to leader requires a shift in mindset and skills.Different types of owners have unique strengths and weaknesses.Processes and systems are essential for scaling a business effectively.Play and relaxation can enhance creativity and problem-solving.Founders must manage their energy and time to avoid burnout.Creating a safe environment encourages open feedback and disagreement.Trust and autonomy are crucial for team dynamics.Self-awareness and personal development are key to effective leadership. Bio:Emily Hawkins is a seasoned business leader and the creator of LeaderSHIFT where Emily guides small business owners to implement strategies that not only keep more money in their businesses but also foster lasting success and growth. With over 15 years of experience in the corporate world—where she led teams, streamlined processes, and saved millions for large organizations—Emily made the pivotal decision in 2017 to leave the corporate sector and dedicate herself to helping small businesses thrive through her innovative approach. Equipped with a Supply Chain degree from the University of Tennessee, an MBA in Global Business from Georgia Tech, and a Robbins-Madanes life coaching certification, Emily has successfully coached over 2,500 individuals and business owners, guiding them to unlock their potential. Emily’s expertise and impact have earned her recognition, including being featured in Forbes in 2020 for her groundbreaking work. Emily believes meaningful changes in a business don’t require a fancy degree or technical know-how—just a healthy sense of curiosity and a willingness to adapt.https://www.emilyhawkins4u.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhawkins4u/

In this episode of 'Feel the Boot,' host Lance Cottrell delves into the strategic importance of targeting a niche market for startup success. He guides early-stage founders through the crucial process of focusing on specific customer segments that resonate with their products, illustrating how this can significantly improve customer acquisition and product development. Lance shares practical strategies for selecting a target niche, such as engaging early adopters, leveraging small communities, and identifying underserved markets. This approach not only helps in establishing a strong market presence but also lays the foundation for scaling into broader markets. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into effectively narrowing your focus for better startup execution. Blog https://ftb.bz/112BYouTube https://ftb.bz/112VBootPrints https://ftb.bz/join“Are you fundable?” tool https://ftb.bz/fundable

The freemium business model is popular, but is it right for your startup? In this video, I break down how freemium works, common mistakes founders make, and why it often leads to revenue problems. We’ll also explore an alternative approach—the reverse freemium model—that could be a better fit for your business. Ideal for early-stage founders, this video provides valuable insights and practical advice on setting up a successful freemium model, complete with real-world examples and suggestions for effective customer engagement. Blog https://ftb.bz/111BVideo https://ftb.bz/111VSubscribe https://ftb.bz/joinAdvising https://ftb.bz/advising

How to Pivot Your Startup Before You Launch 🚀 Pre-Pivot Strategies for Entrepreneurs In this episode of Feel the Boot, host Lance Cottrell dives into the concept of pre-pivoting for startups. Avoid the common pitfalls and wasted resources of traditional pivots by learning how to identify potential problems before building your product. Lance shares three effective ways to foresee issues, focusing on customer conversations, systematic testing of assumptions, and conducting a pre-mortem. Perfect for early-stage founders looking to navigate the complex journey of launching a successful business. Blog https://ftb.bz/110BVideo https://ftb.bz/110VNewsletter https://ftb.bz/joinAdvising https://ftb.bz/advising

In this episode of Feel the Boot, host Lance Cottrell delves into the concept of 'secret sauce' for startups. Learn why identifying and protecting your unique differentiator is crucial for attracting investors and maintaining a competitive edge. Cottrell shares insights on developing a valuable and defensible secret sauce, using trade secrets and patents, and the importance of articulating it effectively in your pitch deck. This video is a must-watch for early-stage founders seeking to innovate and secure their business's future. Blog https://ftb.bz/109BVideo https://ftb.bz/109VNewsletter https://ftb.bz/joinAdvising https://ftb.bz/advising

In this episode of 'Feel the Boot,' I address a common frustration among startup founders: investors who show strong interest but delay their commitment. I explain the reasons behind this behavior, such as risk minimization and strategic leverage, and provides actionable techniques for founders to expedite investor commitments. Key strategies discussed include structuring funding rounds in tranches, leveraging social proof, and utilizing time-critical events to encourage quicker investments. Blog https://ftb.bz/108BYouTube https://ftb.bz/108VFundraising playlist https://ftb.bz/fundraising-playlistSubscribe to BootPrints https://ftb.bz/join

Startup Failure Analysis 🔎 Key Lessons from Abby Sugar In this episode of Feel the Boot, host Lance Cottrell delves into the startup journey of Abby Sugar, the impressive founder of PlayOut Apparel, a gender-equal apparel brand. Despite the brand's promising concept and innovative approach, it ultimately failed. Abby bravely shares her experiences and the unique challenges she faced, providing valuable insights for early-stage founders. Topics covered include founder mental health, team dynamics, investor relations, and the impact of external market factors. This in-depth conversation offers actionable lessons for anyone navigating the complex world of startups. Abby Sugar’s Bio:Having worked as a writer, editor, and independent personal trainer, Abby Sugar is a lifelong learner and taught herself about fashion, business and startups after studying English Literature in college. Abby is a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, and studied abroad at Hertford College, Oxford University.To Abby, learning is everything, and her life motto is f*cking figure it out – so she set out to build the brand that she and her cofounders wish existed when they were younger. As an outgoing, unapologetically queer startup founder, she strives to be a leading voice in and for the LGBTQ+ community. Abby founded Play Out Apparel in 2018 with her cofounder, Grey Leifer. As Play Out's CEO, Abby:- Graduated from the Founder Institute as a Select Portfolio Company- Raised $750K in pre-seed from mission-aligned investors and secured loan opportunities- Won $20K from the National Business Inclusion Consortium’s pitch competition and $10K from Alibaba and HelloAlice (chosen as 1 of 50 winners from 12,000 applicants!), as well as winning other pitch competitions- Shared her story in the New York Times and ForbesAfter an incredible journey, Abby closed Play Out Apparel in 2024 to pursue other opportunities as a startup founder, consultant, and investor.Abby was named to the Forbes Next 1000 List in 2021, she speaks on podcasts, international panels, and gives frequent interviews about startups, fashion, diversity and inclusion, and topics important to LGBTQ+ individuals.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to Multitudinous Musings, Abby's monthly Substack Newsletter, where she shares general educational articles about startups and investing, longform journalism, and poetry/literature that she reads - it's also known as Sugar's Recommended Reading. https://abbysugar.substack.comLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbysugar/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/a.n.other.sugar Blog https://ftb.bz/107BYouTube https://ftb.bz/107VSubscribe to BootPrints https://ftb.bz/join