10 insights to start up, scale, sell, rinse & repeat — kay koplovitz
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This presentation consists of highlights from the interview with Moe Abdou,
founder & host of 33voices®.
Kay Koplovitz is the Founder of USA Network and the visionary who created the business model for
cable networks by introducing the concept of two revenue streams – licensing and advertising. When she founded USA
Network under the banner of Madison Square Garden Sports in 1977 she was the first woman to head a television network.
Kay Koplovitz@kaykoplovitz
Chairman at Koplovitz & Co LLC
“You’ll know when you’ve got the right idea. It simply will capture your imagination and never lets you go.”
- Kay Koplovitz on starting up
Insight #1
Insight #2
A mentor will accelerate your progress. Seek one you admire and
be willing to offer your service in exchange for mentorship. Unless you’re thinking of
a lifetime relationship, don’t start.
Insight #3
Human capital is what leads to financial capital. Mine your human capital connections
(advisors, mentors, connectors) before you need financial capital (you’ll be glad you did).
Insight #4
Jules Pieri on the three rules of assembling an advisory board:
Insight #4
Jules Pieri on the three rules of assembling an advisory board:
Keep the load light. For maximum human efficiency, seek between 3-6 members
Insight #4
Jules Pieri on the three rules of assembling an advisory board:
Don’t be afraid to drop advisors along the way. The skills you’ll need tomorrow are
different than the ones you need today
Insight #4
Jules Pieri on the three rules of assembling an advisory board:
Do a lot of test-driving before putting people on the road with you
Insight #5
“The conductor plays no instrument, but needs to get every other member of the
orchestra to play perfectly in tune and in tempo to make beautiful music. Opt not to lead from
the front, and try leading from the middle.”- Kay Koplovitz on Leadership
Insight #6
Carol Politi on raising capital:If you answer ‘no’ to the majority of these
questions, you’re not ready to raise money:
Insight #6
Carol Politi on raising capital:If you answer ‘no’ to the majority of these
questions, you’re not ready to raise money:Do you have customers, and do
they like your product?
Insight #6
Carol Politi on raising capital:If you answer ‘no’ to the majority of these
questions, you’re not ready to raise money:Are you ready to execute, or are
you still learning?
Insight #6
Carol Politi on raising capital:If you answer ‘no’ to the majority of these
questions, you’re not ready to raise money:Are you ready to raise more capital
in one to two years?
Insight #6
Carol Politi on raising capital:If you answer ‘no’ to the majority of these
questions, you’re not ready to raise money:Can you take advantage of investor
involvement on your board?
Insight #7
Kay Koplovitz on finding the right investor:
Insight #7
Kay Koplovitz on finding the right investor:Do your due diligence & check
their successes & failures
Insight #7
Kay Koplovitz on finding the right investor:Follow your instincts & observe if
their responsiveness and communication style suits you
Insight #7
Kay Koplovitz on finding the right investor:Don’t negotiate terms in a bubble. Share
investment documents with others founders and get a competitive term sheet
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:Business hypotheses - Make sure you’re
asking the right questions
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:Beware of false positives - Remember
that first adopters may not always be the best adopters
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:Minimum viable product vs minimum
sellable product - How far away are you from a chargeable product?
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:Check your hypothesis - The more
frequent the better
Insight #8
Ellie Cachet’s five tips to get product-market fit:Does your family use it or get it?
Insight #9
Kay Koplovitz to women entrepreneurs: Believe in yourself, dream bigger, reach higher, and to achieve success beyond
your wildest expectations, remember that:
Insight #9
Kay Koplovitz to women entrepreneurs: Believe in yourself, dream bigger, reach higher, and to achieve success beyond
your wildest expectations, remember that:The best ideas are transformational,
not incremental
Insight #9
Kay Koplovitz to women entrepreneurs: Believe in yourself, dream bigger, reach higher, and to achieve success beyond
your wildest expectations, remember that:Women need to envision the future, then
start from scratch to work toward executing the vision without having all the answers first
Insight #9
Kay Koplovitz to women entrepreneurs: Believe in yourself, dream bigger, reach higher, and to achieve success beyond
your wildest expectations, remember that:Surround yourself with the best thinkers
Insight #10
You have one chance to set the culture for your company, and it is at the very beginning. The values you define then will be the ones
that will remain for generations to come.
Reflect: Do you have an idea that just won’t leave you?
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Presentation created by Chase Jennings
Insights by Moe Abdou