Starting a company was one of the most defining experiences of my career. Founding Serviot Technologies in the early 2010s gave me a firsthand view of the startup grind—making decisions with limited data, iterating based on gut instinct, and learning to do more with less. The thrill and challenge of growing a business from scratch taught me resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Eventually, I exited Serviot, selling to my business partner, and transitioned into big tech, where I spent the next several years honing my skills and learning at scale. Today, I’m thrilled to return to my roots, supporting founders who, like I once did, face the unique demands of building something meaningful from the ground up.
1. The Power of Scrappiness and Resourcefulness
One of the greatest lessons from my early days as a founder was the power of scrappiness—learning to get things done without the luxury of abundant resources. Big tech is very different in that regard: decisions are heavily data-driven, processes are structured, and there’s more room for strategic experimentation because of greater budgets. But in a startup, every dollar counts, and every decision feels pivotal. I remember the days of pitching clients, gathering customer feedback directly, and quickly iterating based on what we learned. It’s this adaptability and resilience that’s essential for any founder.
Helping early-stage founders is a way to reconnect with that mindset. Scrappy founders find creative solutions and don’t wait for perfect conditions to take action. It’s exhilarating to work with people who see opportunities rather than obstacles, who can pivot and adapt with incredible speed. My goal in supporting founders now is to help them navigate these challenges while staying focused on what matters: understanding and delivering real value to their customers.
2. Applying Big Tech Lessons to Startups
After Serviot, my transition to big tech provided a different perspective on product management and customer experience. Working at places like Google and Microsoft taught me the importance of scaling systems, using data rigorously, and prioritizing customer-centric design at every level. While the scale and resources available in big tech are significantly different, many of the principles translate directly to startups. For example, at Google, we were obsessed with data-informed decisions but also relied on fast, iterative cycles—a principle that works well in both settings.
In big tech, I learned that balancing short-term wins with a long-term vision is critical. Startups can sometimes get caught up in survival mode, focusing exclusively on what will bring in the next round of funding or secure their next client. While that’s necessary, it’s also essential to think about building a strong foundation. Small startups can benefit greatly by setting up lightweight processes for feedback collection, having a few key metrics in place, and instilling a product culture that values continuous improvement. These don’t require a big budget but create a framework for sustainable growth.
3. Empathy, Customer Discovery, and Continuous Iteration
One of the biggest insights I’ve carried through my career, from startup to big tech and back, is the importance of empathy in product development. Startups often lack a layer of customer-facing roles, which can actually be a benefit; founders are often in direct contact with customers. This close connection can foster a deep understanding of the customer’s needs, pain points, and aspirations. The best startups are those that listen intently and iterate relentlessly. In my work now with founders, I emphasize the importance of embedding empathy into every step of the product journey—from customer discovery and user interviews to regular touchpoints post-launch.
Customer discovery doesn’t end after product-market fit. Big tech companies know this well, continually investing in research and feedback loops to keep the product aligned with evolving customer needs. Founders can take a similar approach on a smaller scale. Even simple surveys, direct interviews, or feedback forms can keep the customer voice front and center, enabling rapid adjustments as the company grows. Being customer-obsessed early on is what sets companies apart, and I’m excited to support founders in implementing this mindset.
4. The Excitement—and Challenges—of Returning to Startups
Coming back to work with startups brings a mix of excitement and nervousness. There’s a thrill in helping founders bring their vision to life, but there’s also the recognition that startup life is fast-paced and often uncertain. Having spent years in structured environments with established processes, returning to the raw energy of startups reminds me of the immense pressure founders face. But this is also what makes startups so rewarding—the sense that every day, you’re creating something meaningful, something that could have a real impact on the world.
In my journey, I’ve learned that success is rarely linear, and founders should expect setbacks and surprises along the way. Building a startup requires resilience and a willingness to embrace ambiguity. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but there are principles that can guide the journey—things like staying close to your customers, focusing on small improvements, and keeping a clear long-term vision. These are the lessons I’m excited to share with the founders I work with today.
5. A Message to Founders: Embrace the Journey
Being a founder is a unique, demanding, and incredibly fulfilling role. The excitement of building something from scratch, combined with the ability to learn from every interaction, is invaluable. My goal now is to support founders who are just beginning this journey, to help them avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered and to share insights from my time in big tech that might make their journey a bit smoother.
To founders, my advice is simple: embrace each step. Stay close to your customer, focus on getting slightly better every day, and keep an eye on the horizon. Founding a company is a marathon, not a sprint, and the lessons learned along the way will be as important as the ultimate success. I’m honored to return to this space, excited to work with founders who, like I once did, are building something new, scrappy, and full of potential.
Comentários