Okerosi Davis’ Post

I failed as a founder for 7 years. 😭 One big reason why? I didn't look at the surprising stats around what *kind* of business to build: 👇 At first, I tried to build a VC-backed startup... ❌ Not realising that only 1% make it from a seed raise through to a successful exit. Then I tried writing a blog... ❌ Not realising that I needed some sort of clear offer to make in order to generate income. Then, I tried to build an app... ❌ Not realising that only 17.2% of apps on the App Store hit $1,000 in monthly revenue - & only 3.5% of apps hit $10,000 (RevenueCat). Only when I realised that focusing on building a Micro-Business - small, self-funded, solo-founded, profitable from very early - did I start to see success... Did I start to unlock financial freedom &, more importantly, freedom of time. You can do the same by focusing on the lessons I took a decade to learn: 👉 Have a concrete, paid offer to pitch to your target market 👉 Ask them to pay for it very early on 👉 Avoid custom code, so you can build the solution quickly 👉 Avoid external funding, so you are forced to focus on profitability early on 👉 Don't wait to find a co-founder, so you can move quickly - 🚀 P.S. Are you a Senior PM or above? Want to build your own Micro-Business - & unlock freedom of time in the process? Join the waitlist for our exclusive new product by clicking the link in my bio ☝️

Everyone should have a side project that earns $150+ per day. Here are 4 simple examples I love: 1. Building a service-based business 2. Creating a digital course 3. Starting a paid community 4. Creating a subscription email Why these work: • Low startup costs • Leverage existing skills • Scalable income potential • Flexible time commitment How to get started: 1. Choose your niche 2. Validate your idea 3. Create your offer 4. Market consistently Remember: Side projects can become main income streams. Don't wait for the perfect moment. Start small, learn fast, and scale up. What side project will you start today?

2021 - Year of Building 2022 - Year of Fundraising 2023 - Year of Rapid User Growth 2024 - Year of Monetization & Profitability ⭐️Each year, identify your North Star & the metrics that will get you to the next milestone in your entrepreneurial journey 1️⃣As a founder, I pick ONE main theme for the year & ruthlessly delegate everything else! 🔍Whether it’s building the team & product, fundraising, finding PMF, generating revenue; I identify the thing that’s the most needed to get to the next stage of startup life 🔓Currently it’s getting to profitability to unlock Series A conversations 🧭Every single day, I hold myself accountable for the actions I took towards this goal & those that won’t move the needle on it! I then try to repeat the high ROI ones & avoid the inconsequential ones. 💪🏽As someone who loves opportunities & hates saying no, this kind of brutal focus was a difficult muscle to build! Place opportunities in 3 tiers 🚫Not now 👩🏽💻To be delegated 🐕Chase like a dog I’ve walked away from a ton of stuff this year (more on this later) & as anxiety-inducing as it was, I’m better for it! 🎯Here’s to ruthlessly focusing on your goals!

Just read about another SaaS startup closing their doors this morning. It's tough but here's the painful truth: It wasn't their product that killed them. After running a SaaS-focused agency for 6 years and working with 100+ startups, I've noticed a pattern in these failures: • They treat marketing like a slot machine (Dump money in, expect instant returns) • They chase every "growth hack" (While ignoring their core metrics) • They rush to scale before product-market fit (The fastest way to burn cash) And the most heartbreaking part? We often see the crash coming months before it happens. As an agency, we can optimize campaigns and drive traffic... But we can't fix a broken product-market fit. Here's what actually works: 1. Start with small, targeted campaigns 2. Measure everything obsessively 3. Actively seek and actually listen to customer feedback 4. Only scale what's proven The difference between SaaS companies that survive year 2 and those that don't? Patience. Building a sustainable SaaS isn't about growth hacks. It's about slow, deliberate steps forward. What other reasons can you think of that lead to SaaS companies closing down? Let me know below - I read and reply to every comment. ♻️ Repost this if you want to help another startup avoid making these mistakes

Just read about another SaaS startup closing their doors this morning. It's tough but here's the painful truth: It wasn't their product that killed them. After running a SaaS-focused agency for 6 years and working with 100+ startups, I've noticed a pattern in these failures: • They treat marketing like a slot machine (Dump money in, expect instant returns) • They chase every "growth hack" (While ignoring their core metrics) • They rush to scale before product-market fit (The fastest way to burn cash) And the most heartbreaking part? We often see the crash coming months before it happens. As an agency, we can optimize campaigns and drive traffic... But we can't fix a broken product-market fit. Here's what actually works: 1. Start with small, targeted campaigns 2. Measure everything obsessively 3. Actively seek and actually listen to customer feedback 4. Only scale what's proven The difference between SaaS companies that survive year 2 and those that don't? Patience. Building a sustainable SaaS isn't about growth hacks. It's about slow, deliberate steps forward. What other reasons can you think of that lead to SaaS companies closing down? Let me know below - I read and reply to every comment. ♻️ Repost this if you want to help another startup avoid making these mistakes

Scaling B2B SaaS too soon can be a costly mistake. Before hitting the gas on your GTM strategy, it's crucial to establish product-market fit and build a rock-solid RevOps foundation. 💡 Think of it as setting the stage for growth that’s both sustainable and scalable—because when everything aligns, scaling becomes a powerful next step, not a risky leap.

patience! A very important thing which is required while building any startup or a successful business. *Rome wasn't build in a day:Always remember building a successful startup takes time. so trust the process. *Embrace the journey:Enjoy the ups and downs. learn from it and celebrate small milestones. *Build trust: Go and interact with your potential customers, Investors and team members. It will build a trust among you. *Focus on long-term goals:Focus on long term goals it will help you to avoid taking impulsive decisions. Remember patience doesn't means passivity. it's always about the presisent, adaptable and the journey. so keep going in your journey 💪 Follow me for more such content❤

Ah, entrepreneurship. The land of milk, honey, and infinite Pinterest quotes, where risk is merely a four-letter word and every failure is just a learning experience —like that time you tried to make gluten-free brownies. - Let's be honest: Entrepreneurship is a wild beast. It’s like riding a unicycle on a tightrope while juggling flaming swords. Fun, right? - Sarcasm aside, it's a journey where dreams meet spreadsheets in a tango of triumph and despair. - You're not just a business person; you're a problem-solver, boundary-pusher, rule-breaker. But hey, nobody said it was easy. If it were, everyone would have a startup by now—like that guy who insists on calling his basement eBay store a boutique. So, venture forth, brave soul! Your ideas may not always work, but who ever built an empire without the occasional faceplant? Remember, in the cacophony of chaos, there’s beauty in the hustle and poetry in the grind. 🌟 Be The Change. Be The Disruption. Just don’t be the guy who forgets to pay taxes. https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV #EntrepreneurLife #StartupGrind #InnovateOrDie

Do you really need an investor? Or do you just need more sales? Venture capital has it's place, don't get me wrong. But here's a bold truth: it rarely belongs in eCommerce and CPG brands. Bootstrapping means retaining full control, focusing on customer needs without investor pressures, and growing at your own pace. Sounds refreshing, doesn't it? Spanx, Mailchimp, and Basecamp are all bootstrapped businesses. They carved their own paths, fuelled by revenue and a relentless focus on product-market fit. And bootstrapping doesn't mean going it alone. Strategic partnerships, customer funding, and alternative financing options can fuel your growth without diluting your equity or vision. So, before you drink the VC cool-aide, ask yourself: Can I build a more sustainable, customer-centric business on my own terms? Tag a fellow entrepreneur who's navigating the funding maze. Let's start a conversation on building resilient, self-sufficient eCommerce startups. ----- Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Nate Littlewood for more. I help early-stage eComm and CPG founders master their numbers so they can build better businesses. Sign Up For My Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/equWNs5e