Startup Therapy

Will and Ryan discuss the dangerous mindset founders can fall into after hitting it big with their startups. They reflect on the story of Peter Chesky, co-founder of Wish, who became a billionaire during the tech IPO boom of early 2021 but saw his net worth plummet as the company's stock tanked. The episode emphasizes the importance of treating any major payout as if it's the last one you'll ever receive. With only a small percentage of startups ever having significant exits, and even fewer doing it repeatedly, Ryan and Will stress why founders should be cautious with their newfound wealth instead of assuming it will keep flowing.

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Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

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Wil Schroter
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Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:

01:01 The Rise and Fall of Wish
03:01 Lessons from the Wish IPO
05:15 The Psychology of Founders
11:52 A Counter Story: Priceline's IPO
15:13 Reflecting on High School Memories
15:37 The Illusion of Endless Wealth
15:51 The Reality of Financial Downturns
19:09 Understanding Venture Capital Statistics
21:28 The Rarity of Repeat Success
24:18 Advice for Founders: Secure Your Wins
28:11 The Importance of Financial Safety
30:39 Final Thoughts: Keep the Win