Getting Past Zero

Multiplication only works for numbers greater than zero.

What we learned in elementary school is quickly forgotten by founders launching a company.

Early founders have an idea that funding will scale their business. They say, “We are raising a $1m Seed Round to scale.” When asked about revenue, they explains, “We are pre-revenue.”

$1 million x 0 = 0

That math does not work. Pre funding revenue is the proof that scale is possible.

Why?

Because scale requires three foundational pieces:

1️⃣ A product that solves a big enough problem.

2️⃣ A message that resonates with those that have the problem.

3️⃣ A team willing to do hard things.

What most teams are unwilling to do is cold call. The fastest way to prove the market, build the message, and discover your ICP.

Instead, most try to skip this step.

While founders with a strong network can achieve early traction, they do not learn from the experience. Product market fit is not found by selling to people who trust you.

Salespeople (AEs and SDRs) will not find it for you.

Marketing campaigns will not discover it.

Those activities require a foundation. Try them without this foundation and money is wasted, growth is laughable, and teams implode.

🔥 The only way is to talk to strangers. The only proof is getting paid.

After several of these hard won customers, a wealth of information is discovered. The foundation for your repeatable sales system comes together. Proof that scale is possible takes shape.

Once growth becomes a function of money, funding begins to make sense.

Sales for Founders

A growth system for hackers, hustlers, and creatives.