A Product Market Fit Show | Startup Podcast for Founders
00:47:04 · Pablo Srugo, Aaron Schumm
[00:47:04] S1: Here's a specific question on that. I have this kind of role myself, which is if a founder comes to me as the, you know, the VC partner in that company. And says to me, I've got this VPX, VP marketing. Let's say, I'm just not sure about them. I think I might let them go. My answer is always like, if you're coming to me with that, you got to do it. It's a done deal because if you've having the doubts and the doubts are so high. That you're like, I need to ask somebody else about my doubts. You're already past the doubt phase. You're actually, the decision is made. I don't know if you agree with that just in terms of a gut check. [00:47:33] S0: Yes, wholeheartedly. I think, you know, the old adage, you never regret firing someone too soon is very true. Even though it's painful, there is a number of people I remember, especially the earlier days, right? Now we're big, we're like, it's not as noticeable. But, the early days, I remember there were some key people that I'm like, this person has to go and they're just like, no, no, no, no. They can't go, they can't go, you know, they're still good for that. I'm like, no, get them out and then they're gone the next day or whatever. And then all of a sudden they're like, oh, it's not that bad without them. [00:48:04] S1: It's better usually, yeah. Other people shine as a result.
00:48:04 · Pablo Srugo, Aaron Schumm
[00:48:04] S1: It's better usually, yeah. Other people shine as a result. [00:48:07] S0: There are some people that we've let go even recently that was like, it was like a weight was lifted off the business. You're like, oh, yes, thank you and then people have a lot more open dialogue. And sometimes you got to do that. [00:48:18] S1: Perfect. Well, listen, let's stop it there. But I'll ask the question we always end on. What would be a top piece of advice you find yourself giving early stage founders often? [00:48:29] S0: I think stay true to yourself and focus on the outcome, is really kind of the key thing. It is so easy to get caught up in noise and lose sight of where you need to go, right? And I'm just as guilty of this, right? Especially the early days, because everything's coming at you and you're just like. You're working, you know, endless hours and I think you almost have to just cancel the noise around you. Like social media, all that stuff. It's literally like doesn't exist in my life. I have my family and I have Vestwell and that is it, right? And I just focus on that because otherwise the rest of it will start to pull you in directions that are just not attitude to your life, and it's hard. And if you're passionate about it, like I am. It's a lot of fun, too, right? And you just keep grinding through it. [00:49:07] S1: Aaron, it was great having you on the show, man. Thanks for spending the time. [00:49:07] S0: Yeah, no, I appreciate it.
00:49:07 · Aaron Schumm, Pablo Srugo
[00:49:07] S0: Yeah, no, I appreciate it. [00:49:07] S1: So picture this. It's months from now, years from now and one of your founder friends. A really close founder friend of yours, guess what? Their startup went bankrupt and it turns out if you had just shared the Product Market Fit Show with them. They would have learned everything they needed to find Product Market Fit and to create a huge success. But instead, their startup has completely failed. You have blood on your hands. Don't let that happen. You don't want to live like that, it is terrible. So do what you need to do. Tell them about the show. Send it to them. Put it on WhatsApp. Put it on Slack. Put it where you need to put it. Just make sure they know about it and they check it out.