Ep.58 What distracts you from running your core business? Corey Hart - Professor of Business, Fractional CXO, Startup & Scaleup Advisor. Grand Rapids, MI

Summary

In this conversation, Nate Leslie interviews THE Corey Hart. Yes he's been conveniently confused with the Boy in the Box many times. Corey is an experienced entrepreneur and educator, discussing the challenges and distractions faced by startups, particularly in fundraising. Corey emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer money over investor money, the role of curiosity in entrepreneurship, and the significance of understanding product market fit. They also explore the concept of unreasonable excellence in business, the value of mentorship, the impact of AI, and alternative funding models for startups. The discussion highlights the need for entrepreneurs to maintain their vision while navigating growth and scaling their businesses.

• Take Nate's free High-Performance Index Leader Self Assessment: ⁠www.nateleslie.ca/gift
• Connect with Corey: coreythehart.com

Keywords

startups, fundraising, entrepreneurship, curiosity, product market fit, mentorship, AI, hyperscale, business growth, alternative funding

Takeaways

• Fundraising can distract founders from their core business.
• Customer money is preferable to investor money.
• Curiosity is essential for learning and adapting in business.
• Understanding product market fit is crucial for success.
• Unreasonable excellence can enhance customer experiences.
• Mentorship programs like Spring GR are valuable for entrepreneurs.
• AI can provide insights but requires careful implementation.
• Hyperscale growth demands a focus on culture and team dynamics.
• Alternative funding models can reduce pressure on founders.
• Experience and wisdom are invaluable assets in entrepreneurship.

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Sound Bites

• "Why are you fundraising?"
• "It's dangerous to delegate culture too soon."
• "You should charge for this, man."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Corey Hart and Startups

02:58 The Distraction of Fundraising

05:58 The Importance of Curiosity in Entrepreneurship

08:54 Navigating Product Market Fit

11:46 Unreasonable Excellence in Business

15:04 Corey Hart's Mentorship and Community Involvement

17:45 The Role of AI in Business

20:41 Understanding Hyperscale and Growth

23:29 Alternative Funding Models for Startups

26:37 The Value of Experience in Entrepreneurship