Simon Martelo

Self-esteem isn’t something you receive. No one can give it to you, and no one can take it away. People can praise you and it might not land. People can criticize you and it might light a fire. Either way, if your sense of self moves with their words, they’re still in control.

The kind that actually stays is built slowly. It comes from doing things... See more

Founders: Find something that is both important to you and resonates with a group of people at this particular moment in time. In the early days you’ll need to frame your story—to recruits, to partners, to investors, and to the entire outside world—along those lines. Talk about why your company matters, not just what it does. Make sure your product... See more

Understand your audience. You must know who, precisely, you are building for. Understanding this early on in your company life cycle can be especially powerful, as it allows you to prioritize acquisition efforts. The hope is to build an early user base that will drive you toward your end goal.

You can stand out by offering unique features for your biggest supporters and early adopters. Nothing creates a more powerful marketing initiative than rewarding your current top supporters. They’ll go out and sell for you like crazy when they are regularly acknowledged and rewarded for being part of the founding community.