Unlocking Startup Growth: Fundraising Strategies and Resilience Tips with Paulo Andrez

What separates the startups that raise capital and scale… from those that stall out?

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Paulo Andrez—angel investor, serial founder, and startup turnaround specialist—to talk about the real challenges early-stage founders face.

We dig into:

• Why most founders raise capital too early

• What investors like Paulo actually look for in a startup

• How to recover from failure and pivot the right way

• Why founder resilience is more important than brilliance

• The biggest reasons startups fail—and how to avoid them

If you’re working on a startup and planning to fundraise (or already trying), this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 For the full blog recap: https://ftb.bz/120B

🎥 Watch the full video: https://ftb.bz/120V

💬 Join our founder community, Crossroads, to go deeper with conversations like this: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

You can follow Paulo on LinkedIn at https:// www.linkedin.com/in/pauloandrez or on his website https://www.pauloandrez.com

Pre-Sell Before You Build: Avoid Costly Startup Mistakes — with David Hirschfeld

Most startups fail because they build something no one wants.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I talk with David Hirschfeld, founder of Tekyz and creator of the Launch First method, about how to flip the script and pre-sell your product before you build it.

We explore how high-fidelity mockups, early customer conversations, and focused problem validation can help founders avoid wasting time, money, and effort on products that miss the mark.

If you’re an early-stage founder, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you test, sell, and refine your idea before writing a single line of code.

👉 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why most startup products fail

✅ How to pre-sell using mockups

✅ When to raise capital—and when NOT to

✅ The difference between building what you want vs. solving real problems

✅ Why narrowing your focus is critical in the early stages

🎯 Thinking about raising capital?

Take my free 5-question quiz to see if you’re fundable:

👉 https://ftb.bz/fundable

🔗 Connect with David Hirschfeld:

🌐 Website: https://tekyz.com/

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/tekyzinc

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmhirschfeld

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tekyzinc

📝 Want more from this episode?

📖 Read the full blog: https://ftb.bz/119B

🎞️ Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/119V

🎥 Related video: Watch my episode on pre-pivoting your startup: [Insert link here]

📍 Chapters

00:00 Intro — Most founders build too soon

02:09 Why solving the right problem matters

06:37 The Launch First method explained

10:27 High-fidelity mockups that look real

15:17 Validating with real customer conversations

18:07 Pre-selling before you write code

21:42 Founder mindset mistakes to avoid

27:12 Why you shouldn’t raise capital too early

31:07 Real-world examples from David’s work

34:57 Final advice for early-stage founders

👍 Like this episode? Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more practical startup advice!

#startups #founderadvice #productvalidation #entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot #presell #startupfunding #startupmistakes

Avoid These Startup Finance Mistakes — Insights from a Fractional CFO

Most founders ignore finance until it becomes a problem—don’t be that founder.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Josh Aharonoff, a fractional CFO who works with fast-growing startups to get their financials investor-ready. We talk about common finance mistakes, when to hire help, and what investors expect from your financials—especially when raising capital.

If you’re pre-seed, pre-revenue, or thinking about raising capital, this conversation will help you avoid costly misstepsand get your financial house in order.

Read this as a blog: https://ftb.bz/118B

Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/118V

Take the quiz to see if your ready for funding: https://ftb.bz/fundable

👉 Topics we cover in this episode:

• When founders should start caring about finance

• How to avoid common finance mistakes

• When to hire a bookkeeper vs. CFO

• What financials investors expect at different stages

• How to think about accounting (cash vs. accrual)

• Tools for sales tax, payroll, and compliance

• Building an investor-ready financial model

🔗 Connect with Josh Aharonoff

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcfoguy

Model Wiz (Financial modeling tool): https://www.modelwiz.com

👉 Related episode: Watch my interview with John Li of PickFu to learn how to test and validate startup ideas: https://ftb.bz/102B

👍 If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice!

#Startups #Fundraising #FractionalCFO #StartupFinance #FeelTheBoot

🔥 Your Pitch is Losing Investors in the First 5 Seconds—Here’s How to Fix It!

Most founders waste the most critical part of their pitch—the opening. Investors remember the first and last things you say. But instead of making an impact, most founders start with:

“Hi, I’m [name], CEO of [company]…”

🚨 That’s a HUGE mistake.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I show you how to cold start your pitch—a proven technique to instantly grab attention and keep investors engaged. You’ll learn:

✅ Why traditional intros weaken your pitch.

✅ How to hook your audience from the first second.

✅ The power of silence before you speak.

✅ A real-world comparison of bad vs. great pitch openings.

Want to make your pitch unforgettable? Watch now and start strong! 🎤🔥

🔗 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/117B

🔗 Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/117V

🔗 More startup pitching tips: https://ftb.bz/pitching-playlist

🔗 Get Help with your startup: https://ftb.bz/boost

🔗 Take the quiz to see if you are ready for investment: https://ftb.bz/fundable

💬 Have you used a cold open in your pitch? Share your experience in the comments!

👍 Subscribe for more startup insights!

What’s stopping you from starting your dream business?

For most people, it’s fear.

Fear of failure, financial loss, looking foolish—or even fear of success.

In this episode, we break down the most common fears entrepreneurs face and share actionable strategies to overcome them.

Learn how to:

✅ Do the research that calms fear of the unknown.

✅ Test your idea with quick, low-cost experiments.

✅ Build financial and emotional safety nets.

✅ Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and co-founders.

✅ Start small and “act as if” you’re already a founder.

Your entrepreneurial journey doesn’t have to be terrifying. Take the first step today—because hope isn’t a strategy, but action is.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice and strategies!

📚 Explore more resources on https://FeelTheBoot.com

✉️ Let’s connect: subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/join

Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/116B

Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/116V

#StartupAdvice #OvercomingFear #Entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot

Why Startup Plans Fail (and Why That’s Okay)

Welcome to Feel the Boot, the science of startups! In this episode, host I share three insightful sayings about planning and their relevance to startups. Using quotes from Dwight D. Eisenhower, Helmuth von Moltke, and Mike Tyson, I discuss the importance of planning and adaptability when facing unexpected challenges.

Learn how to navigate the twists and turns of launching a business and how to pivot efficiently when your plans don't survive first contact.

Join the discussion and share your experiences in the comments.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more valuable content!

Get help with your startup https://ftb.bz/boost

Subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/join

Read the blog https://ftb.bz/115B

Watch the Video https://ftb.bz/115V

Building Products Right: Essential Advice for Early-Stage Founders by Chad Perry 🚀

Building a tech product as a non-technical founder can feel like a daunting challenge. Should you hire a developer? Outsource? What about mockups, tech stacks, and budgets? 😰

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with fractional CTO Chad Perry, who’s worked with countless early-stage startups to navigate these exact challenges. Chad shares insider advice on:

✅ Why you should start with mockups (not developers).

✅ How to successfully outsource your tech development.

✅ When to hire a CTO, developer, or team—and how to decide.

✅ Tips for managing tech projects as a non-technical founder.

✅ Why focusing on your minimum viable product (MVP) is key.

This episode is a must-watch for any founder building a tech product, especially if you’re overwhelmed by the process or worried about costly mistakes. 💡

🔗 Connect with Chad Perry on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/perryonfire

📢 Join the conversation: What’s been your biggest challenge when building your product? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

💬 Resources & Links:

• Blog https://ftb.bz/114B

• Video https://ftb.bz/114V

• For help with fundraising, strategy, or messaging https://ftb.bz/Boost

• More running your startup videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgMU_ie96T-I8qMi2th8SIuJfMjAkuyAe

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup insights! 🚀

#startups #founders #entrepreneurship #techstartups #productdevelopment #FeelTheBoot

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Chad’s Bio

I help founders and CEOs plan, build, and go to market with B2B SaaS products.
But deep down I'm just a nerd who loves to code, market, and sell - and started a few tech companies.
20+ years in tech and software development, started a few businesses, trained with the world’s top marketing coaches, now supporting founders and executive teams in product development and strategy.
If you want help starting or growing your tech business – connect with me on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/perryonfire/

Entrepreneur. Global citizen and former digital nomad. Closet hippie and probable hipster. Bicycle rider of the mountain and touring varieties. Former motorcycle rider. Aviator and pilot with a fascination for helicopters. Real life rocket scientist who's never built a rocket.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with leadership expert Emily Hawkins to tackle one of the biggest challenges founders face: effective team management. 🚀 Whether you’re a new founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this conversation dives deep into the soft skills that are often overlooked but are crucial for scaling your business.

Emily shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming a fractional COO and creator of the “Leadershift” framework, where she’s helped thousands of business owners transform their leadership style. We explore topics like:

• Why making assumptions about your team’s skills can cripple your business

• How to transition from being a “doer” to a true leader

• Practical strategies for delegating effectively (even when it’s hard to let go)

• Finding the sweet spot between too much and too little process

• The importance of play, rest, and variety for boosting creativity and avoiding burnout

Plus, Emily reveals her free business-owner assessment tool to help you understand your leadership style and where you might need to make some shifts for success.

Link to the assessment tool: https://learn.emilyhawkins4u.com/type/

Blog: https://ftb.bz/113B

Video: https://ftb.bz/113V

Fundability assessment: https://ftb.bz/fundable

Advising: https://ftb.bz/advising

Key takeaways:

Founders often lack management experience and need to learn team optimization.

Assumptions about team members can lead to significant business challenges.

Transitioning from doer to leader requires a shift in mindset and skills.

Different types of owners have unique strengths and weaknesses.

Processes and systems are essential for scaling a business effectively.

Play and relaxation can enhance creativity and problem-solving.

Founders must manage their energy and time to avoid burnout.

Creating a safe environment encourages open feedback and disagreement.

Trust and autonomy are crucial for team dynamics.

Self-awareness and personal development are key to effective leadership.

Bio:

Emily Hawkins is a seasoned business leader and the creator of LeaderSHIFT where Emily guides small business owners to implement strategies that not only keep more money in their businesses but also foster lasting success and growth. With over 15 years of experience in the corporate world—where she led teams, streamlined processes, and saved millions for large organizations—Emily made the pivotal decision in 2017 to leave the corporate sector and dedicate herself to helping small businesses thrive through her innovative approach. Equipped with a Supply Chain degree from the University of Tennessee, an MBA in Global Business from Georgia Tech, and a Robbins-Madanes life coaching certification, Emily has successfully coached over 2,500 individuals and business owners, guiding them to unlock their potential. Emily’s expertise and impact have earned her recognition, including being featured in Forbes in 2020 for her groundbreaking work. Emily believes meaningful changes in a business don’t require a fancy degree or technical know-how—just a healthy sense of curiosity and a willingness to adapt.

https://www.emilyhawkins4u.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhawkins4u/