Portland is a proud city. We’re proud of our identity, our culture, our environment, and (somehow) our weather. We’re proud of our own startup ecosystem and we try not live in the shadows of the Bay Area, New York, Seattle, Boston, or Boulder. And now, the Portland startup ecosystem is thriving in a way that … [Read more…]
As I’ve talked about before, I’ve been lucky to have access to some amazing mentor networks (TechStars, True, PSF, PIE, etc). Choosing whose advice to listen to and whose to ignore is one of the most important skills you can learn. The key is finding mentors who not only have relevant first-hand experience but also … [Read more…]
There’s a good quote from Jim Rohn that goes, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” I think that’s pretty accurate. And I think it can apply to companies and startups as well, with just a slight adjustment: “Your company is the average of the five companies … [Read more…]
This idea goes way back to 2008. I had just finished my stint in cubicle life, where I had been working at a student loan company leading a team that consolidated student loans. It was shocking to see how little most people knew about that loans they had taken out for college. It prompted … [Read more…]