Patrick Deloy’s Post

There is a lot in common between growing an early stage startup, and endurance sports. 1. The self-talk. During an ultra you always talk yourself into pushing one more mile, one more step, one more summit. You don’t know what’s after it, and how much more you are able to endure. But this is what startups and sports about - not knowing if you can make it, but still pushing, because fuck it, I can. 2. A guaranteed fuck-up. You will absolutely positively fuck something up. Will eat something wrong and stick with nausea for couple of hours. Will forget to change socks and end up with huge blisters. Forget the food you need. Will run out of water in the middle of nowhere. Startups are the same. You will fuck up a lot of things, and there’s no need to try not to. You will, and the idea is to solve problems on the go, to fix the plane in the middle of a flight. 3. Readiness to DNF. Did Not Finish — a fear of every runner. Startups are the same — you can DNF at some point, and odds are against you, so just be prepared. 4. Multitasking. You think about different things at the same time: route, water, food, your energy, physical feed, emotional state, weather, time. If you loose track of something — chances are you will have a problem with that in the future. The same goes with startups: product updates, testing, feedbacks, new leads, retention, fundraising, cashflow, support — everything is a priority, you don't have enough cash to delegate, but still have to do everything. So just stick to it as long as possible. I can add a lot more, but you got the point. Every time I run 50-60-70K trails, I think about this stuff, and it helps me figure out how to approach startup problems. Will see what it takes to run 100 miles. Maybe it's like growing to Series A.

Are you positioned to ride the right wave? Let’s sea… ( 🤷♂️ I had to do it 😂 ) If you were the surfer, I’d ask you these questions: → Do you know why you surf? → Are you good at surfing? → Are you surfing the right wave? → Did you check the wave is clear of other surfers? → Do you have the right board? Now, let’s make it about your startup: → Is your business direction purposeful? → Are you clear on how to deliver value? → Is your approach to the market intentional? → What are the alternatives you compete with? → Do you have the right strategy to articulate your difference? You know this: Markets change. Consumers evolve. Competitors make moves. Technology improves. All this generates lots of waves toward your business. The right strategy will help you: ★ Anticipate change by ensuring you're prepared ★ Make yo adaptive, allowing quick response to market shifts ★ Ensure you remain consistent while adapting ★ Identify opportunities for innovation and creativity ★ Foster resilience against unforeseen challenges ★ Enhance customer engagement by improving your offerings ★ Optimize resource allocation to focus on high-impact activities ★ Build a sustainable growth system And for most early-stage startups... A solid strategy moves you from staying afloat to riding the crest. Just like the perfect surfboard. Or in entrepreneurship terms: From surviving to thriving. Ready for the next big one? 🌊 - - - I’m Ezequiel Abramzon If you liked this post and want more → follow me → 🔔 I write about #brandstrategy for #startups so #entrepreneurship is more impactful, and for that you have to #beintentional Early-stage founder? Let’s put brand at the heart of your startup.

🏆 Ready to make the leap from athlete to entrepreneur? Apply now for The Athlete Incubator’s 2024 cohort and redefine success off the field. Reach out to our wonderful Chief of Staff Carmen Taylor for application material. HOW CAN THE Athlete Incubator HELP YOU WITH YOUR STARTUP? One of the key goals of the Athlete Incubator is to help athletes build "fundable" businesses. This means not only developing innovative products or services but also crafting compelling business models and investment pitches. Athletes learn to articulate their vision and value proposition, making them attractive prospects for investors who recognize the unique blend of skills and influence they bring to the business world. Above all, the Athlete Incubator empowers athlete-entrepreneurs to take control of their futures. By nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit, providing expert guidance, and fostering a culture of innovation, this program enables athletes to transition seamlessly from their sports careers to successful business ventures. It's not just about building businesses; it's about empowering athletes to become leaders, innovators, and influencers in their respective industries. #AthleteLeadership #EntrepreneurialExcellence #nbalaunchpad #nflpa #nbpa #startupfounder #sportstech #nameimageandlikeness #venturecapital #privateequity #drypowder #siliconvalley #highgrowthtech #angelinvestor #accreditedinvestor #impactinvestor #termsheet #seedstagestartup #pitchdeck #TheAthleteIncubator#2024Cohort #studentathlete #athletebranding #AthleteFounder

🏅 Are you ready to unlock the secret playbook of Pro Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and Investors? 🏆 On October 23rd, Columbia Venture Community and The Post invite you to the launch of an exclusive series exploring the thrilling intersection of professional sports, entrepreneurship, and investing. 🌟 Hear unscripted stories from former Pro & Olympic icons such as Chloé K. and Sarah Parsons Wolter and leading VCs and Private Equity advisor Greg Kronenfeld, as they demystify strategies to investing in early to growth stage companies while also shedding light on the identity challenges athletes face post retirement. Discover invaluable insights on: ✅ Investing in athlete-led enterprises ✅ The Venture Capital Landscape ✅How hard - won lessons in sports can be channeled into building, acquiring and operating thriving enterprises ✅ The identity challenge facing athletes post - retirement ✅ Real stories of elite athletic training & life on the field Don’t miss this opportunity to gain a competitive edge from the best in the game! 💪 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eR_kvz2Q Kyrha Lever Ruff Ashlan Ramsey #ColumbiaUniversity #CBS #NFL #IOC #Venture #Investors #ColumbiaVentureCommumity #Entrepreneurship #sports #NIL #privateequity #networking #community #events

So, you've got 👀 on a new domain for your #startup journey? 🚀 Believe me when I say, it's more than just a name; it's your brand's first impression! 💎 Here are few a "drips" of knowledge 1️⃣ Make it memorable like your favorite catchy tune (Aladdin's 'A Whole New World' anyone?) 2️⃣ Keep it relevant to your biz, like including 'fitness' in a gym's web address! 🏋️♂️ 3️⃣ And yep, consistency across platforms is like matching gym sets - always winning! 😉 Trust me, branding’s a bigger deal than finding the perfect self-cleaning litter box – and boy, do I know it! 😹 Make sure to hit that follow button for more startup tips that hit harder than a morning espresso! ☕ #Branding101 #BrandingMagic #DiamondDripConsulting

Starter Guide Personal Brand Building: • Start building your presence on LinkedIn (bring value and make connections) • Switch over to YouTube (Document your Journey) • Repurpose long form content and spread it all over short form platforms #personalbrand #personalbrandbuilding #startup #founder #entrepreuner

I previously wrote that in addition to funding Ruta.vc , we opened the door for MVP projects to cooperate with biggest fitness operator - Sport Life. And since I have been on both sides, a startup and an investor, I have a few theses for startups after scouting. The problem of the first customers of a startup is quite voluminous. And it's great when quick integration and fly away. And sometimes not, so if there is a client, grab him and hold him. So if you have the first ʼyesʼ, and you are asked to provide information: 1. speed of response or calculations. It should be pretty quick. And not illusory. You know how much to count. the best answer: the request is accepted, the calculation will be for you in 5 days. 2. personalization. Look for the values that you will provide to the client. Not from the presentation, where in general for everyone. And for exactly this, what will increase, where it will grow and other things. Easy? Not hard. You just have to do it. And let me remind you that in addition to sports projects, I am looking for energy efficiency projects, because there is a demand.

So, you've got 👀 on a new domain for your #startup journey? 🚀 Believe me when I say, it's more than just a name; it's your brand's first impression! 💎 Here are few a "drips" of knowledge 1️⃣ Make it memorable like your favorite catchy tune (Aladdin's 'A Whole New World' anyone?) 2️⃣ Keep it relevant to your biz, like including 'fitness' in a gym's web address! 🏋️♂️ 3️⃣ And yep, consistency across platforms is like matching gym sets - always winning! 😉 Trust me, branding’s a bigger deal than finding the perfect self-cleaning litter box – and boy, do I know it! 😹 Make sure to hit that follow button for more startup tips that hit harder than a morning espresso! ☕ #Branding101 #BrandingMagic #DiamondDripConsulting

Compared to start-ups, it's easier and more fun to manage a brand that has grown to an extent. But what matters most is keeping things fresh, innovating within a set structure, and falling in love with the brand daily. While working with an established brand is sweet, there is this active energy, constant input, a determined pursuit of growth, and the fire of building when you work with start-ups. Established brands have taught me the power of a strong foundation, the importance of brand consistency, and the art of strategic marketing. Startups, on the other hand, keep me on my toes, forcing me to be creative, resourceful, and adaptable. Now, seeing both sides of the coin allows me to bring a unique opinion to every project. As a social media manager, I can help established brands sustain their youthful glow, and guide startups in building a solid foundation for future success. In the end, my greatest reward is witnessing the growth of these brands. Every milestone achieved, and every new customer acquired, fills me with huge satisfaction. It's like watching your children flourish, and knowing you played a role in their success. So, whether you're an entrepreneur with an established brand or a passionate dreamer with a startup idea, know this: I'm here to champion your journey. What stage is your brand at? Share your biggest challenge (or success) in the comments below. #socialmediamanager #BrandManagement #GrowthMindset #StartupsAndBeyond #MarketingMagic #ClientLove #onyeisivictorychinonso #brandstory

These are some easy steps you can take to boost your startup with 💰0 cost! I’ve seen businesses running without these simple steps 🚀. Take a moment to check if you’ve implemented them in your startup or business! ✔️ #startup #digitalmarketing #creativity #marketing #branding