Morphusking Ephraim’s Post

I was intrigued reading this article in the Financial Times about how 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀, valued at billions of dollars and raised millions just a few years ago, collapsed like a pack of cards. Were they 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗱, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝘆? While several factors may have led to their downfall, I was reminded of an insightful article from the year 2019 in Harvard Business Review (https://lnkd.in/gh8vkhP7) that questions 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 "𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲" 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Could this be a key lesson for startups?  Besides, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 (and ignite a "fire in the belly") when one has the cushion of a large enterprise or VC to rest on and doesn't have to worry about the paycheque at the end of every month.  I hope we see fewer failures; however, it feels like another 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆, having read about and observed many failed startups over the years. One of the best books and a must-read for all the founders is an old one from the year 1994 - "𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽—𝗔 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲" (https://lnkd.in/gKC53Gvc) by Jerry Kaplan, who shares his story about founding a $75 million company, his struggles with big corporate partners, and encounters with industry giants. #startups #valuation #funding #failures #innovation #theatre #corporates

Support Local: Empowering Women and Minority Entrepreneurs on Small Business Saturday This year's Small Business Saturday was a powerful testament to the impact of community-driven commerce. By highlighting women and minority-owned businesses, we demonstrated the critical role local entrepreneurs play in economic innovation and community development. The event showcased remarkable talent across diverse industries, providing a platform for entrepreneurs who often face systemic barriers. These small businesses aren't just selling products—they're creating economic opportunity, driving innovation, and strengthening local ecosystems. Key insights from the day: - Small businesses represent a significant economic force - Diverse entrepreneurship drives community resilience - Conscious consumer choices can create meaningful change By supporting local markets and indie brands, we do more than make a purchase. We invest in dreams, fuel economic mobility, and build a more inclusive business landscape. Every transaction becomes an opportunity to uplift underrepresented entrepreneurs and celebrate their creativity and vision. The power of community support extends far beyond a single day. It's about creating sustainable pathways for entrepreneurial success and recognizing the extraordinary potential within our local business ecosystem. Let's continue championing small businesses and the visionary leaders behind them.

@profgalloway says making rich friends is key to financial freedom I don’t ever want to choose friends based on net worth But he's right that who we are is tied to who we're close with: - we mimic their behavior - they shape our decision-making - they influence who we meet next for more brain farts on life hacks and startups, join my weekly newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ePiwWKXV

Even in the startup scene, it’s easy to feel like you're solo in a crowded room. Reading a recent article on startup journeys reminded me how common it can be to doubt our path and purpose. When I started my first business, it felt like an uphill battle; each hurdle seemed larger than the last. But focusing on the basics, seeking genuine mentorship, and staying adaptable made all the difference. The biggest lesson? Success isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about figuring out what works for you and your vision, even if it deviates from the norm. Embracing your unique story and leveraging that authenticity is your greatest strength. What’s your biggest takeaway from your own entrepreneurial adventure? Let's chat about it! https://lnkd.in/eCyrHJv7

Are you building a creator business that is designed to produce bigger revenue and thrive long term? Ann Gynn breaks down new research from Kajabi (The Reality of the Creator Economy) that may help you answer that question. Read on --> https://lnkd.in/gprXFC4X

Friday 19th of July I will be Sharing with the world about my E-commerce platform on StartUp Soko Basically below are the briefs. What is Spreaders ? Spreaders is an E-commerce platform that facilitates the Buying and selling of African goods and Services to the World. How Urgent is Spreaders Needed ? Today when you take a look at most E-commerce platfroms that exist , they major in imports of goods and services to Africa but they are not Exporting Any product from our beautiful Continent hence leaving a loophole for our goods struggling to get the market for consumption. With the onset of Spreaders it will be a by-gone. Spreadersmedia.com is live and operational, if you are struggling to market your products to a larger audience join us today at Ksh. 200 ( Registration fee ) and Ksh. 100 ( Monthly Subscription) and be assured of a larger consumption worldwide. Catch me live on StartUp Soko YouTube channel from 19th of July to get more insights about my Product. CHEAP LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

Please check my personal blog

Start your mornings right with #MorningScan 📰 Your one-stop for top articles from newspapers, all conveniently in one place👇 https://lnkd.in/dCsVqaxS #TopStories #MorningNews #DailyNews #TopNews

Launching a tech startup can feel like standing at the base of a mountain, looking up at the peak and wondering where to begin. A few months ago, I found myself in that very spot, dreaming of turning a fresh idea into a reality. I came across an article that laid out a step-by-step guide to launching a tech startup, and it truly resonated with me. The article emphasizes the importance of defining your vision and aligning it with a solid business model. Reflecting on my journey, I realized how crucial it is to have that clear vision as your guiding star. I learned that embracing flexibility is essential, particularly when unexpected challenges arise. One lesson that stuck with me is that the journey of entrepreneurship is often as valuable as the destination. Each obstacle faced teaches resilience and reinforces the need for adaptability. Have you faced similar challenges in your startup journey? Share your experiences or your own tips for success! https://lnkd.in/eCHVCSw8

During our Quarterly Investor Call last week, our team member Jake Fuchs shared some valuable insight on what Fintechs should do when the VC Markets slow down . . . Q: For many early-stage founders, venture capital seems like a necessity to start or grow their startup. But what happens when the VC markets slow down, as we've seen in the fintech sector recently? A: When venture capital dries up, it's time to double down on what truly matters: sales and organic growth. Remember, your customers are your best investors. Focus on delivering value, solving real problems, and growing sustainably even in less favorable funding environments. Fintechs can continue to thrive with the right strategy and determination. 💪 To hear more from Jake, check out his blog: https://lnkd.in/eWYXXnSr #BankTechVentures #BTV #banktech #FinTech #CommunityBanking #StartupGrowth #OrganicGrowth #Entrepreneurship Carey Ransom, Samantha Malloy, Sarah Hovde, Brandon Oliver, Jake Fuchs, Pam Kaur, Kaitlyn Shevlin, Katie Quilligan, Ella Gardner, Eric Sprink, Steven Hovde, Charles Potts, Carson Lappetito, Wayne Miller