Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #founderpuzzles
Most recents (9)
1/ Work on revised edition of Founder Puzzles begins.
Fortunate to get great feedback leading to the launch of the book. It is now time to incorporate it.
If you read the book, what would you add to make it better? Remember, feedback is a gift.
bit.ly/FounderPuzzleS…
Fortunate to get great feedback leading to the launch of the book. It is now time to incorporate it.
If you read the book, what would you add to make it better? Remember, feedback is a gift.
bit.ly/FounderPuzzleS…
2/ What is new in the revised edition?
a) New chapter on bank borrowing and financing for founders.
b) Chapter extensions on virality, traffic and scaling businesses
c) Updated financial models for Maya's Closet and GEMS Education.
d) Cost of failure
e) On launch, as a puzzle.
a) New chapter on bank borrowing and financing for founders.
b) Chapter extensions on virality, traffic and scaling businesses
c) Updated financial models for Maya's Closet and GEMS Education.
d) Cost of failure
e) On launch, as a puzzle.
3/ The best books are living documents.
They grow over a period time based on ideas, suggestions and feedback shared by readers.
I hope someday Founder Puzzles will also become one.
They grow over a period time based on ideas, suggestions and feedback shared by readers.
I hope someday Founder Puzzles will also become one.
1/ The official Founder Puzzles Thread.
Why should you read this book?
As a founder, build better businesses, not #Excel models. Tell stories that matter by asking the right questions, right from the start.
Why should you read this book?
As a founder, build better businesses, not #Excel models. Tell stories that matter by asking the right questions, right from the start.
2/ What are people saying about #FounderPuzzles?
If you are founder and financial modeling is your weakest link, read it.
If you are a startup trying to make sense of your business model, read it.
If you hate finance and Excel, read it.
If you are founder and financial modeling is your weakest link, read it.
If you are a startup trying to make sense of your business model, read it.
If you hate finance and Excel, read it.
3/ Where can I learn more about the book?
Try the 7 minute, 29 second video summary on YouTube.
Try the 7 minute, 29 second video summary on YouTube.
1/ Self publishing vs other options.
Let's get one thing out of the way.
You should publish once with a mainstream publisher. Get it out of the system. You should sell a title on Amazon. Make it to your genre, subject top 10 list. Even hit the numero uno spot for a day.
Let's get one thing out of the way.
You should publish once with a mainstream publisher. Get it out of the system. You should sell a title on Amazon. Make it to your genre, subject top 10 list. Even hit the numero uno spot for a day.
2/ But once you are done, you are done.
It doesn't matter who your publisher, distributor or book seller is. In the end you, the author, sells the book.
You create the hype, you generate the traffic, you direct the buyers.
Amazon doesn't get people to your book, you do
It doesn't matter who your publisher, distributor or book seller is. In the end you, the author, sells the book.
You create the hype, you generate the traffic, you direct the buyers.
Amazon doesn't get people to your book, you do
3/ So if you are writing the book, editing it, marketing it, promoting it, how much of the book proceeds do you get?
Do you get to talk or see or engage with your customers? Do you even know who they are?
With main stream publishing, no. There is no data, real time or otherwise
Do you get to talk or see or engage with your customers? Do you even know who they are?
With main stream publishing, no. There is no data, real time or otherwise
1/ So what did we learn from #launch week
Doesn't matter how hard you have prepped and worked, things will go wrong. Things that you didn't even anticipate or expect.
When that happens, focus on the things you can control and fix. Don't have a melt down. It will get sorted.
Doesn't matter how hard you have prepped and worked, things will go wrong. Things that you didn't even anticipate or expect.
When that happens, focus on the things you can control and fix. Don't have a melt down. It will get sorted.
2/ The run up to launch week. Give yourself time.
Started thinking about the launch in Dec. Got shot down due to work and Covid-19. Restarted again in April. Locked down July date in first week of June.
Seems like a lot but you will need the time. There is lots to do.
Started thinking about the launch in Dec. Got shot down due to work and Covid-19. Restarted again in April. Locked down July date in first week of June.
Seems like a lot but you will need the time. There is lots to do.
3/ Get the #book out in front of #reviewers.
Early. Like real early. Like 8 to ten weeks early. Listen to their feedback and comments.
Unlike a #publisher, in self #publishing mode, you can change stuff all the way to launch. Try not to do that.
Lock a version down early.
Early. Like real early. Like 8 to ten weeks early. Listen to their feedback and comments.
Unlike a #publisher, in self #publishing mode, you can change stuff all the way to launch. Try not to do that.
Lock a version down early.
1/ Launch check list.
Just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone.
Thank you for getting word out & for your preorders for #FounderPuzzles
We crossed our first big milestone yesterday. 105 orders
A thread on the path for that journey, if you plan to follow it one day.
Just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone.
Thank you for getting word out & for your preorders for #FounderPuzzles
We crossed our first big milestone yesterday. 105 orders
A thread on the path for that journey, if you plan to follow it one day.
2/ Book launch check list.
Nov 2019 is when we first thought of shipping the book. It had been a work in progress for 4 years.
Prior book launches had taught me the importance of pre-orders.
Step one. Plan to open pre-orders a month before the book will be ready for launch
Nov 2019 is when we first thought of shipping the book. It had been a work in progress for 4 years.
Prior book launches had taught me the importance of pre-orders.
Step one. Plan to open pre-orders a month before the book will be ready for launch
3/ Enough content to feed you for a month.
Opening up pre-orders isn't enough.
You have to create interest in the book and keep it out there for everyone to see.
Can't be same content shared again and again. Has to be fresh and relevant.
You also have to mix mediums.
Opening up pre-orders isn't enough.
You have to create interest in the book and keep it out there for everyone to see.
Can't be same content shared again and again. Has to be fresh and relevant.
You also have to mix mediums.
1/ Founder Puzzles. Cover stories. Part V. Karachi.
Two frames this time for the city and people I love.
At the very start, I thought one would have to run away from home to build #startups that change the world.
Too much baggage, too much history. Perhaps a fresh start?
Two frames this time for the city and people I love.
At the very start, I thought one would have to run away from home to build #startups that change the world.
Too much baggage, too much history. Perhaps a fresh start?
2/ When I came back 10 years later I realized that despite challenges, despite shadows, home is where you will make it work.
People you grew up, your family, your network, random strangers - everyone opens doors for you.
Because they want to. Not because they have to.
People you grew up, your family, your network, random strangers - everyone opens doors for you.
Because they want to. Not because they have to.
3/ I am here today because many held out their hands when I was down and needed help. Again and again.
Early days when I would forget bus fare for school at home and a kind soul would pay it.
Friends who would worry and check in if I would disappear from their lives.
Early days when I would forget bus fare for school at home and a kind soul would pay it.
Friends who would worry and check in if I would disappear from their lives.
1/ Founder Puzzles. Cover stories. Part III
We all know the drill by now. Short listed frame from the cover. Followed by the story behind the cover.
This one is obviously a beach. But that is not the story
#FounderPuzzles #Startups #Founders #Finance #Modeling #Modelling
We all know the drill by now. Short listed frame from the cover. Followed by the story behind the cover.
This one is obviously a beach. But that is not the story
#FounderPuzzles #Startups #Founders #Finance #Modeling #Modelling
2/ I have always been a sucker for beaches.
For the longest time I wanted to rent a beach villa for a month and write a book.
Wake up in the morning, grab a run, grab some breakfast and inspiration, sit down and write.
Repeat until book or rent is done.
For the longest time I wanted to rent a beach villa for a month and write a book.
Wake up in the morning, grab a run, grab some breakfast and inspiration, sit down and write.
Repeat until book or rent is done.
3/ This was before I knew that most beaches on our side of the planet are warm, hot and humid.
Those on the other side are too cold for warm blooded desi wannabe authors..
Also sand isn't exactly great for laptops.
Those on the other side are too cold for warm blooded desi wannabe authors..
Also sand isn't exactly great for laptops.
1/ Cover stories continued.
#FounderPuzzles #Founders #startups
Here is the second frame that made it to the shortlist for the cover.
Yes I know its a sneaker, but what does it mean? What the story? Where is the connection?
#FounderPuzzles #Founders #startups
Here is the second frame that made it to the shortlist for the cover.
Yes I know its a sneaker, but what does it mean? What the story? Where is the connection?
2/ My first half marathon was an accident.
I wasn't planning on running it. I didn't even register for it.
When I went to sign up for the 10K I was running, I found that everyone I ran with with was doing the half.
So I said to myself, how bad could it be?
Bad idea.
I wasn't planning on running it. I didn't even register for it.
When I went to sign up for the 10K I was running, I found that everyone I ran with with was doing the half.
So I said to myself, how bad could it be?
Bad idea.
3/ And so was my first startup, my first book and my first job with a bulge bracket investment bank in London.
All accidents. Every single one of them. Didn't mean for it to happen that way.
When I was done, never again, said I.
Shoot me if I do, said I.
All accidents. Every single one of them. Didn't mean for it to happen that way.
When I was done, never again, said I.
Shoot me if I do, said I.
1/ About that title and book cover.
I had been thinking about a name for the last two years.
Didn't want to call it financial modeling for founders.
It isn't so much about modeling as it is about answering awkward questions with simple analysis.
Sort of like a puzzle
I had been thinking about a name for the last two years.
Didn't want to call it financial modeling for founders.
It isn't so much about modeling as it is about answering awkward questions with simple analysis.
Sort of like a puzzle
2/ Hence "Founder Puzzles"
Problems that stumped me as a founder and others I worked with.
Things that we think about and try and solve for in #Excel
Some modeling required.
#FounderPuzzles #startups #founders #finance #modeling
Problems that stumped me as a founder and others I worked with.
Things that we think about and try and solve for in #Excel
Some modeling required.
#FounderPuzzles #startups #founders #finance #modeling
3/ Founder Puzzles is one founder's look at our journey.
As we try and estimate market sizes, model revenues, debate product vs services or figure out valuations and terms sheets.
Bring your laptops. Bring your thinking hats.
As we try and estimate market sizes, model revenues, debate product vs services or figure out valuations and terms sheets.
Bring your laptops. Bring your thinking hats.
