Founder/Market Fit: Your Startup’s Early-Stage Advantage

Stop guessing about “Founder–Market Fit.” In this episode I break down how investors spot it at the pre-seed stage— and what to do if you don’t have it yet.

When founders enter a market they’ve never lived, credibility gaps, weak insight, and scarce access can stall everything from customer discovery to fundraising. I’ll show you:

What “Founder–Market Fit” really means and why VCs look for it before they fund

Clear warning signs you don’t have it (yet)

Practical moves to build or borrow the fit you need

How great FMF accelerates product-market fit, hiring, partnerships, and Series A readiness

Whether you’re raising your first round or refining your pitch, use these ideas to turn experience into a strategic edge.

🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS

Blog article & full transcript

https://ftb.bz/123B

The Feel the Boot Video

https://ftb.bz/123V

Free founder community — The Crossroads

https://ftb.bz/crossroads

Fundability Quiz — Are you really ready to raise?

https://ftb.bz/fundable

Are you outsourcing your thinking to ChatGPT? That’s a fast track to sabotaging your startup.

In this episode, I share two real conversations I had with founders who said they got their market size numbers from ChatGPT. That is a red flag for any investor. The problem is not that they used AI. The problem is that they didn’t understand what the answer meant or where it came from.

I walk through the right and wrong ways to use tools like ChatGPT in your startup. Whether you’re researching your target market, writing content, or creating your financial projections, you need to know what is solid and what is just noise.

You will learn:

· When using AI makes sense and when it is a trap

· How to ask for citations so you can verify the data

· Why AI-generated financials almost always fall apart

· What to do instead so you can sound sharp and raise with confidence

This isn’t about avoiding AI. It is about using it well so you can think clearly, move faster, and make better decisions.

📍 Join The Crossroads Founder Community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

📊 Take the Fundability Quiz: https://ftb.bz/fundable

🎙 Listen to the Podcast: https://ftb.bz/podcast

📝 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/122B

Most founders don’t fail because of a bad idea.

They fail because fear, doubt, and hesitation stop them before they ever really start.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with internationally recognized mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what keeps talented people stuck, and how to break free.

We explore:

Why so many founders never launch

The mindset shift that drives real change

How to push through fear and uncertainty

The discipline behind every successful entrepreneur

Why authenticity beats confidence when raising capital or building a team

David also shares his powerful personal story, from working a warehouse job to tripling his income in 30 days, and building a multi-million dollar coaching business.

If you’ve been struggling with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, this conversation will hit home.

🎯 Read the blog version with full highlights and the embedded video: https://ftb.bz/121B

🎥 Prefer video? Watch here: https://ftb.bz/121V

👥 Ready to connect with fellow founders? Join the Crossroads™ community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

📘 Get David’s free Quantum Leap Blueprint to kickstart your next breakthrough: https://www.lifeisnowinc.com/pg-ftb