How Do You Extend Your Runway Before Raising Money?

By Brett Fox | April 2, 2024

I was talking with one of my 1:1 coaching clients today.  Two weeks ago, “Sam’s” company was ramping demand and preparing to raise their next round of funding. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] Sam told me today that every customer meeting he had was canceled because of…

Can You Ever Lie To Your Investors?

By Brett Fox | April 1, 2024

“Brett, I want to share with you what the CEO of ‘Company X’ (a well known public company) said at the investor conference I went to,” Jack Gifford, Maxim Integrated Products CEO, said to me. Then he barked at me, “Take some notes.” [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I  can help. Click here.]…

How Should You Manage Your Remote Team?

By Brett Fox | March 19, 2024

I was talking with “Vikram”, a CEO I’ve been working with, the other day. Vikram commutes between the US and Bangalore, spending three months in the US, and then three months in India. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] When we spoke, Vikram had just spent time with…

What Are Five Decisions You Need To Make Before Raising Money?

By Brett Fox | March 18, 2024

“I don’t think we should raise $11 million,” my co-founder, “John”, said to me. “We will give up control of the company! We should only raise $6 million.” “John, we’re going to have to raise the $11 million and probably more. Getting the $11 million gives us more runway,” I said. “Let’s get the money…

How You Can Avoid Nine Startup Sales Killers

By Brett Fox | March 12, 2024

“It’s too early to hire a VP of Sales!” The VC said to me. “You should be doing the selling!” Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. “I hear where you’re coming from,” I said. “And believe me, I will be selling.” “‘Ken’s’ been part of the company since…

How Do You Know It’s Time To Fire Someone?

By Brett Fox | March 11, 2024

By Brett Fox at www.brettjfox.com “See that property over there? Steve Jobs owns it. That’s going to stay in his family for a long time,” Bill, Venture Capitalist, said to me. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. I was being interviewed by Bill at his home in Woodside.…

How Quickly Should Your Business Get To Cash Flow Positive?

By Brett Fox | February 26, 2024

“I hate high margin businesses,” “Donald”, the billionaire VC head of Donald Ventures, said to me. Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here. I ignored him, and continued on with my pitch knowing he would never fund us. I mean, after all, how do you respond to an idiotic…

The Real Truth About Managing Remote Teams

By Brett Fox | February 12, 2024

My daughter Avery had an assignment in her first grade class. She was supposed to see if she could send a paper turtle to every continent in the world. [Do you want to grow your business? Maybe I can help. Click here.] The first challenge what was Avery going to name her nomadic turtle? Avery…

What Are The Five Signs It’s Time To Sell Your Company?

By Brett Fox | February 6, 2024

A couple of years ago I was advising a CEO. “Mark” had bootstrapped his company to profitability. Mark’s company began by providing consulting services. Then Mark’s company provided IP to its customers along with consulting services. Mark’s company had grown to become a multi-million dollar revenue company. But Mark had become increasingly worried lately. [Do…

What Is It Really Like To Be A Startup CEO?

By Brett Fox | February 5, 2024

My heart is beating too fast, and it won’t slow down. It’s 3AM, and I can’t sleep. Again. I get out of bed, and I walk to my office. I am shivering even though the temperature in the house is 72 degrees – nerves. I turn on the computer, and I check my email. [Do…