Found+READ: Comments by Amie Gillingham

Amie Gillingham — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 11:57:23 GMT

Om, thanks for another fabulous resource. Between this and WWD, I really feel like I have two professional aces in my back pocket. Cheers!

Amie Gillingham — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:11:47 GMT

I think half the battle is realizing when you and your partners are in over your head and acknowledging that if you want your business to succeed, you simply have to bite the bullet and bring in other executives. This is particularly crucial if you want to keep your own love of the project alive.

Our company is at the stage where we’re bringing in more talented people from our personal circle. I don’t think we’re quite ready to bring in a true “outsider” but I think your advice works well even for our current level of hiring.

Amie Gillingham — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:01:58 GMT

There’s no question getting kicked out of one’s own company is an entrepreneur’s worst nightmare. Particularly when you’re a small start up; you essentially ARE your company, living and breathing it 24/7 until it either takes off, is sold off, or ultimately fails.

I think this post speaks to the parallel marketing advice of, “be a part of the culture you’ve created.” It’s just plain good business sense to be involved with your own community, whether you’re talking customers or co-workers, rather than serving as a benevolent (but out-of-touch) “dictator from on high.”

Amie Gillingham — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:30:53 GMT

I am not sure that the parallel really works in this case. Given the narative structure of The Sopranos, coupled with the fact that it made HBO into a new creative force to be reckoned with, there is an element of both closure for the viewer and respect for the franchise at work here. Now, if they decided to drag this slow demise out another year, you’d have something there.

I do think your point about knowing when to just whack things is valid. But the style of demise is equally important. Sometimes it’s better phase things slowly out with respect to your remaining loyal customers and sometimes it’s better to make it quick and painless.

Amie Gillingham — Wed, 30 May 2007 00:14:16 GMT

I have to say that’s a pretty awe-inspiring story. As someone who went through not one but two pregnancies while building a startup, I can so totally relate. Sometimes it just chooses you.

Amie Gillingham — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 14:48:55 GMT

One of the best things I ever did was to shut up my defensive instincts and listen when my co-founder (and husband) told me, quite bluntly, that I sucked at my job. It was hard to hear, but I sucked it up and realized that I truly was doing a ton of running to stand still rather than moving our business forward. I made it my mission to get better at what I do, and I think we’ve been a stronger team—and company—as a result.

Amie Gillingham — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:54:55 GMT

I’d love to know, too. We’re outside the valley, and we’d like to grow, but we’d also love to hear what it takes for a small company like ours to take that leap from a bootstrapped mom & pop to the next level via funding.

Amie Gillingham — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 01:07:24 GMT

I would suggest starting simply by using Google AdWords.

Amie Gillingham — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:47:39 GMT

While I appreciate this post’s content, I’ve gotten used to (spoiled?) book review posts having Amazon links to where I can quickly grab these books (or dump them onto my wishlist for future contemplate). Links, por favor?

Amie Gillingham — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:59:30 GMT

Any chance of this becoming an article? This is something in which I’m very interested, particularly since I’ve just started to informally gather some folks we’d like to serve as our advisors.