TVS 054 – Finance to Startups and Entrepreneurship (Head of Expa Labs – Eric Friedman)
Summary: Today’s episode is with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgfriedman/">Eric Friedman</a>, who is the head of <a href="https://expa.com/labs/">Expa Labs,</a> as six-month incubator for early-stage startups. This interview is one of the most informative and immediately applicable if you are interested in technology and / or pursuing entrepreneurship coming from a finance background. We dive into some great topics like the 1%, 9%, and 90% rule, how putting your own content out there is so critical, and why startups should not be over-glamorized like they have been in the media. I found this episode extremely rewarding, and the first 16 minutes dive into Eric’s background, and afterwards we dive into the meat of the episode. I hope that you all enjoy listening as much as I did recording!<br> <br> * How did you first get started in entrepreneurship and interested in technology?<br> * How did you first get your job at union square ventures and what led you to work at Four Square?<br> * What does a Business Development even mean at a company like Four Square?<br> <br> * What were some of the key takeaways that you had after working at Four Square for 6 years?<br> <br> <br> * Why startups are not for everyone (16:30)<br> * What are your thoughts on non-technical candidates pursuing entrepreneurship / startups and an emphasis on finance candidates specifically?<br> <br> * Why it’s important to ask “what happens here on Tuesday at 2pm?”<br> * Instead of emailing a cover letter and resume to a startup CEO, maybe send them 3 things they could do<br> <br> <br> * Why applying to a startup is effectively the opposite of applying to an investment bank / consultancy.<br> * In what areas do you see finance candidate skill sets best applied in a startup environment?<br> * Are there tests or ways to see if a finance candidate would succeed in a startup?<br> <br> * The 1% rule, 9% rule, and 90% rule – the challenge to publish<br> * When you mention the name of the people at the company, since everyone has google alerts, they will read it!<br> <br> <br> * How people can get over imposter syndrome when publishing content<br> * Thoughts on transitioning straight into technology / entrepreneurship versus pursuing an MBA first<br> <br> * Three reasons to go to business school: Network, Direction, Education<br> <br> <br> * Why there is so much turnover for millennials and in early-stage startups?<br> * What is your last piece of advice for my listeners?<br> <br> As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions. Email me directly at alan@the vampiresquid.com or on the <a href="http://www.thevampiresquid.com/contact/">contact form</a>. Also, please subscribe to my facebook page for live updates <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thevampiresquid">facebook.com/thevampiresquid</a>. Also follow me on Quora at <a href="https://www.quora.com/profile/Alan-Li-1">https://www.quora.com/profile/Alan-Li-1</a>. To support us check us out at Patreon <a href="https://www.patreon.com/thevampiresquid" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/thevampiresquid</a><br>
