4/52: And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like, I liiiike you
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The 2010s was the decade of the Entrepreneur.
The 2020s will be the decade of the Investor.
“Courage is not an ability one either possesses or lacks. Courage is the willingness to engage in a risk-taking behaviour regardless of whether the consequences are unknown or possibly adverse. We are capable of courageous behaviour provided we are willing to engage in it”
Alfred Adler
Into the Den…
At long last the wait was over and I could watch Laura Harnett, Founder and CEO of (portfolio company) Seep, step into ‘the Den’ and pitch the Dragons.
Seven long months of keeping schtum and wondering how it would turn out…
There are no retakes in the Den, ever, so if she fluffed her lines it’s tough luck. Laura didn’t get to see any edits either so, like me and hopefully you, she watched it for the first time last night.
Laura was first in, and she was brilliant. You can watch the whole episode (or just watch the first 10 minutes with Laura) on the BBC iPlayer here to see the pitch, the grilling and [spoiler alert] the offers.
What investors invest in
How Laura handled the Dragons’ questions and the pressure in the Den made me think back to something Katie said after Laura spoke at the ID8 event in November last year (main photo here).
After the talk Katie said, “She’s great eh? People just like her”.
People just like her. Yep. Success or failure is, I think, a lot down to likability and Laura is definitely likeable.
Of course it would be a mistake to select investment opportunities solely on whether you like the founder or not, but if others — customers, staff, investors, suppliers — find someone likeable then I’d hazard a guess that’s a part of their quiddity to take serious notice of, and that high likability increases the chances of success.
Remember Adler
Alfred Adler was an Austrian psychotherapist, was the founder of the school of ‘individual psychology’ and along with Viktor Frankl and Sigmund Freud was a hugley influential figure in the field of psychotherapy1.
According to Adler all problems are interpersonal relationship problems. *All* problems. Sure, for founders that means fundraising and hiring, but also prioritisation, procrastination, chasing invoices, writing code, eating well and getting enough sleep & exercise. If you see these problems as interpersonal relationship problems (and therefore interpersonal relationship solutions) then it helps, I’m sure Adler would agree, if you’re likeable. Are you?
Are you likeable? We all get on with some people and not others, but on the whole are you more likeable than not?
If you are, why do you think that is? Does it come naturally or do you work on it?
If not, what will you do about it? And when?
(BTW, the title of this post is a Peep Show reference for the non-fans amongst you. Check out the scene here.)
Remember; Founders Focus
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Founders Focus keeps you focused, accountable and connected.
In other news
🇨🇭 I’m in Switzerland again for Guy Spier’s VALUEx conference next week. I’ll be flying over to Zurich on Monday 3rd then back home on Friday 7th February. If you’re in Zurich or Klosters please his reply and we’ll get coffee.
💰 The VC Lab programme I’ve been part of since October is coming to an end. If you’re curious about applying to a future cohort or want to hear how I’m getting on with it all just hit reply.
🎧 Vivi Founder of (portfolio company) Black Bullion was on the Money Advice Liaison Group podcast, here, talking about her vision is for it to become the all-in-one money management space for students that supports them before, during and after their studies.
🎧 Chris Co-founder of (portfolio company) what3words was on the Seeking Returns podcast, here, where he talked about his early career, which musicians get lost the most and why he had to drop everything and start what3words.
More from me?
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Important: None of these posts are investment advice. If you are thinking about investing you should seek the advice of a suitably qualified independent advisor.
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