The hidden intel #1

INTEL 🧠

Do you entreprendre?

Starting a business can seem simple at first, but once you're in it, dealing with the unexpected twists and turns can be tough.

You'll face sudden changes, new challenges, and emotional highs and lows as you build something from nothing.

What sets apart these individuals who take risks and make things happen? Is there a way to spot the entrepreneur within yourself or someone else?

In our first episode, we unveil the answers and provide a handy checklist to discover what our mentors understand and believe about the renowned entrepreneurial mindset packed in 8 traits 👇

#1 Entrepreneurs have crazy persistence, something you don't often see in regular folks; they're brave, curious, tough as nails, and they never give up!

#2 Entrepreneurs are perpetual learners and great listeners. They're always keen on hearing others' opinions and hungry for knowledge across different areas.

#3 Entrepreneurs know when it's time to pivot. They're agile and can adapt to sudden changes effortlessly. They might take a break or pause but they never give up on their idea.

#4 Entrepreneurs cultivate their social capital. They inspire others to join their team and network by radiating confidence through their communication skills.

#5 Entrepreneurs are driven by their inner passion, ambitious goals, energetic motivation, and forward-thinking vision.

#6 Entrepreneurs are not just about the ideas, they are all-in into the idea’s realization and the problem they’re solving is their north-star guide.

#7 Entrepreneurs value their mental health, they know how to take care of themselves and no idea or work can replace their inner happiness and psychological readiness to work on it. 

#8 Entrepreneurs attract great team members and invest heavily in their team capacity. As the old saying goes ‘alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’.

Since there's no guaranteed formula for success, there isn't a definitive checklist that one should follow.

Being an entrepreneur is like conducting an orchestra, where countless people play different instruments to produce the best symphony the world has ever heard.

LEVEL UP ⬆️

What is pivot?

A startup pivot is when a company makes a big change to its business plan, product, or who it sells to, based on feedback, the market, or other reasons.

It's basically when a startup adjusts its focus or direction to better fit opportunities or deal with challenges.

Some famous pivots include:

🔄 Instagram: initially launched as a location-based social network called Burbn, the founders noticed that users were primarily using the photo-sharing feature. They pivoted Burbn to focus exclusively on photo-sharing, leading to the creation of Instagram.

🔄 Twitter: originally, Twitter was intended to be a podcasting platform called Odeo. When Apple announced iTunes would include podcasting support, Odeo's team pivoted to focus on a microblogging platform, which eventually became Twitter.

🔄 PayPal: originally developed as a way to beam money between PalmPilots, the founders noticed that users were more interested in transferring money between email accounts. They pivoted to focus on online payments and money transfers, leading to the creation of PayPal.

🔄 Netflix: originally a DVD rental service, Netflix pivoted to a subscription-based streaming service when they recognized the shift in consumer preferences towards online streaming. This strategic pivot transformed Netflix into a dominant force in the entertainment industry.

🔄 Slack: initially developed as an internal communication tool for a gaming company called Tiny Speck, Slack evolved into a standalone product after the founders noticed its potential for broader workplace communication needs.

Take a deeper look at pivoting here 👇

• 🎥 All About Pivoting by Dalton Caldwell (YC partner) 

• 🎥 Pivot or Persevere? by Slacks’s Founder Stewart Butterfield

• 📖 The Truth About a Startup Pivot

You’re invited to THE LONGEST PITCH MARATHON
*EARLY BIRD TICKETS available now*

The ultimate startup event is returning for its 3rd edition and it’s all about YOU, YOUR IDEA and YOUR STARTUP. You'll get an exclusive chance to pitch to top global investors looking for their next funding deal 💰

Now’s your chance to connect, pitch, and ignite growth!

📅 11 May
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Skopje
⚠️ Limited seats

In case you missed it 🍿