Found+READ: Comments by Wil Schroter

Wil Schroter — Wed, 09 May 2007 00:27:00 GMT

I think it’s important to point out that not every community works/grows the same way. We often talk about how tech-related communities grow, whereby the geek-chic crowd actually cares whether or not a site is cool.

What about non-geek sites like autos? RoadFly.com has grown over many years as a top forum destination for auto enthusiasts (I remember it as bimmer.org)

Even at our startup-related site, the Go BIG Network (www.goBIGnetwork.com) we have grown quickly but not in a “pop”. You don’t need to be instantly huge to build a community.

Wil Schroter — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:48:00 GMT

I think all of the “you need to be strong willed to succeed” advice is well-taken, but let’s not ignore another important point – it really helps to be incredibly well-connected to talent, advisors and venture capitalists to make things happen. 9 times out of 10 when you read about a hot SV startup, you can trace their success back to the people they knew going into it.

Wil Schroter — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:18:58 GMT

@ Tim – I wanted to point out that while hiring the next round of management is a necessary step, you need to be careful about leaving the critical role of vision, and to some degree “heart” (for lack of a much better term) with the Founder.

Of course there are cases where the Founder has left and the next round of management proceeded wonderfully. Jack Welch comes to mind in that capacity.

But what we’re talking about are startup companies here, so in the formative stages the Founder is much more likely to be connected with the company at a deeper level, which frankly, I took for granted.

@ Adam – I wish I had thought of your babysitter analogy when writing the piece. Thank you!

Wil Schroter — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:21:56 GMT

@ Bob – of course you can’t grow by never hiring anyone!

The point was that you shouldn’t overlook how important the Founder’s “touch” is on every aspect of the organization.

Wil Schroter — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:02:59 GMT

unknownfounder – love that pic.

I was trying to point out that there is definitely a difference between making friends and networking or “friend raising”. The term “friend” here is probably mis-used.

I wanted to write some more about the good karma aspect, in that you need to give more than you plan to recieve. I agree with that completely, but in 800 words or less I wanted to focus on the financial benefit which somehow seems to strike a more relevant chord for entrepreneurs!

Wil Schroter — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:55:06 GMT

@ Mike – I don’t think you can be too secretive about a startup. I’m sure in some cases it can help, but generally speaking, if someone else can steal your idea just by hearing about it, you don’t have that strong of an idea.