Cocquyt - Dare to Launch

Praise for Dare to Launch

Whether youre already an entrepreneur or thinking about becoming one, this book is for you. It includes the steps to get started, from idea and inception to funding and scaling. Robin Farmanfarmaian, Professional Speaker and Healthcare EntrepreneurDare to Launch is just what any prospective entrepreneur needsa smart blend of the inspirational and practical. I met Anne a decade ago in San Francisco, watched her innovate and mentor startups, and always was impressed by her rigor and dedication. She writes from down-in-the-trenches expertise, and knows which methods and strategies have a better chance of success. Still on the fence? Anne will get you to launch. Jonathan Littman, Best-selling coauthor with IDEO of The Ten Faces of Innovation In a world of stereotypical entrepreneurship guides, this book shines with practical case studies of diverse startup founders. A must-read for corporate innovators and entrepreneurs. Shannon Lucas, Co-CEO, Catalyst Constellations, best-selling co-author of Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out. Starting a new business can feel overwhelmingbut not if you have the right guide. This essential book shows you how to launch a scalable business based on the latest methodologies in Silicon Valley. Youll learn from the success (and failure) stories of top founders and investors and save yourself years of frustration. Dorie Clark, Author of Entrepreneurial You and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of BusinessBeing an entrepreneur can be lonely. This book gives you access to many voicesfrom other entrepreneurs, advisors, investors. You realize you are not the only one facing all these struggles and doubts. Anne is your friend, your advisor, and shell kick your butt on your entrepreneurial journey. Maaike Doyer, Investor & founder Epic AngelsDare to Launch is relevant for entrepreneurs and angel investors alike to ask the right questions when building or investing in an early-stage business. Nancy Hayes, Angel Investor in Silicon ValleyNo matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey trying to launch something inside your company, driven to make your side hustle into a big business, or still in the dreaming stage you need the real-world examples and easy-to-implement steps in this book of collected wisdom. Peggy Northrop, CEO, Watermark, board member and angel investorDare to Launch is a must read for entrepreneurs of all ages, industries and backgrounds. It provides time-tested, easy-to-implement guidance from one of the leading educators in entrepreneurship today. Denise Brosseau, CEO, Thought Leadership LabEverything you need to launch and fund your business Nicole Quinn, General Partner at Lightspeed Venture PartnersPowerful examples and practical tips from predominantly female entrepreneurs - Refreshing! Eve Rodsky, Author of New York Times Bestseller Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space Anne breaks down the complexities of launching a business into bite-sized actions and frameworks used by real world, diverse, and successful entrepreneurs. This is a must-read for any business owner starting out and looking to scale. Carolyn Rodz, Founder of Hello AliceThe hardest part about launching a new company, brand, product, or other endeavor is often simply knowing where to start. Dare to Launch makes this extremely simpleand even fun! I consider this book a must read for any aspiring entrepreneur. Justin Lokitz, Entrepreneur, advisor, MBA professor, and bestselling authorDare to Launch - Mini MBA for First-Time Entrepreneurs is an amazingly honest, refreshing, and action focused step by step guide for those ready to put their dreams and grand ideas to the test and embark on successful entrepreneurial journeys. Julie Castro Abrams, CEO & Founder of How Women Lead

Copyright 2022 Anne Cocquyt

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

To request permission, contact the publisher at www.letsguild.com/daretolaunch

ISBN: 979-8-9857129-0-2 (Paperback)

ISBN: 979-8-9857129-2-6 (eBook)

The advice and strategies found within may not be suitable for every situation. This work is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher is held responsible for the results accrued from the advice in this book.

The reader acknowledges that the author does not provide any specific tax advice, legal advice, or investment advice and that for any of these matters the reader will consult with licensed professionals.

Editing by Linda Popky

Illustrations by Eva Linde

Headshot photograph by Margot Duane

Cover design and layout design by George Stevens

Published by The GUILD Inc.

www.letsguild.com/daretolaunch

For every entrepreneur who is looking forward to the next mountain to climb when in the deep valley of entrepreneurial despair.

Here is to youto your optimism, your strength, and your dedication to making the world a better place.

To the fools and geniuses who dare to launch.

1. SECTION 1
   PREPARE YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY
   1. THE INSPIRATION
      TAKING CALCULATED RISKS
   2. FIRST STEPS
      DEFINING SUCCESS AND QUASHING PERFECTIONISM
2. SECTION 2
   CHOOSE IDEAS WITH LEGS
   1. YOUR IDEA
      OVERCOMING IDEA PARALYSIS WITH THE IDEA DECISION MATRIX
   2. THE PROBLEM
      FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM
   3. THE SOLUTION
      STARTING SMALLSOLVING THE PROBLEM FOR ONE USER
   4. TALKING TO USERS
      MAKING USER INTERVIEWS LESS DAUNTING, MORE FUN
3. SECTION 3
   MAKE A PROMISE TO YOU, YOUR COMPANY, AND YOUR CUSTOMER
   1. MISSION
      DEFINING YOUR WHY AND HOW
   2. YOUR COMPETITION
      LEVERAGING YOUR COMPETITORS WISDOM WITH THE COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS TEMPLATE
   3. YOUR PRODUCT PROMISE
      CREATING YOUR PRODUCT PROMISE LANDING PAGE IN A WEEKEND
   4. BRANDING
      GIVING YOUR COMPANY A SOUL BY DEFINING YOUR CORE VALUES
4. SECTION 4
   BUILD IT AND SEE IF IT WORKS
   1. BUILDING YOUR MVP
      MASTERING THE MUST-HAVE AND NICE-TO-HAVE CHALLENGE
   2. MARKETING
      CREATING YOUR FIRST MARKETING CAMPAIGN WITHOUT OVERWHELM
   3. METRICS
      FINDING YOUR NORTH STAR, DEPARTING FROM PLANET VANITY
   4. ORGANIZATION
      STARTUP COO 101SETTING UP STRUCTURE AND PROCESS FOR EARLY-STAGE COMPANIES WITHOUT RED TAPE
5. SECTION 5
   CREATE VALUE AND ESTABLISH WHO NEEDS TO JOIN YOU
   1. BUSINESS MODELS
      TESTING WHO WILL PAY AND HOW MUCH WITH THE BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS
   2. THE MARKET
      ESTIMATING THE MARKET SIZE BOTTOM UP AND TOP DOWN
   3. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
      DELIBERATELY BUILDING YOUR OWN BRAND AS A FOUNDER
   4. FINANCIALS
      BETTER THAN ACCOUNTINGKNOWING HOW MUCH MONEY WILL BE IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT IN A YEAR
   5. TEAM
      ENGAGING THE RIGHT CO-FOUNDER, EMPLOYEES, ADVISORS, AND CONTRACTORS WITH CHECKLISTS AND CONTRACT TEMPLATES
6. SECTION 6
   FORM A COMPANY AND GET IT FUNDED

Next page