Blog
You’ll outgrow your company’s core values. Here’s what to do next.
It wasn’t working, and I was frustrated. Four years ago, we put hundreds of hours into developing our company’s core values, and they now felt broken. The things we used to do because they were “scrappy” were beginning to strain our infrastructure. The things we used to do because they were “fun” led to stagnation […]
Real Wealth Is Not About Money
This April, our family got some devastating news. We had just returned from a wedding in Florida when we got the call. My father-in-law, an otherwise healthy man in his 60’s who had just retired this past year, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. As this kind of news tends to do, it came as […]
Founder’s Depression Is Bullshit
I shared a story recently about one of the darkest moments of my career. We’re through it now and better because of it. But, woah… rough times. Two years ago, we were still in its grip. Our team retreat was just a few weeks away, and I was a wreck. Sitting at my kitchen table […]
Vacations Are Important, but Most Founders Do Them Wrong
It felt like the exact wrong thing to do. It was crazy. Maybe even a little stupid. We had recently finished our rebuilding project, trying to rescue our company from a slide into failure, and we were just starting to find our footing. Things were going well, but after working our way out of the […]
Why We Dropped “Fun” as a Core Value
And how, as a result, we’re having more fun than ever. “Have fun.” She stared at me. “Go ahead. Just have fun.” I wasn’t sure how to respond. “Having fun yet?” I was talking with my sister, Elizabeth, and she was helping me come to an embarrassing realization. Groove’s “Core Values”—the ones I had so […]
What I Learned Rescuing Our Startup From Death
How we turned around a company that was headed toward failure
Why I Almost Walked Away From the $500k/mo Company I Founded
The story of the darkest months of Groove’s history
Why I Stopped Hustling
Taking on the most dangerous word in our community.
Too Many Startups Like Playing Startup
7 signs that you’re focused on stuff that doesn’t matter, and how to snap out of it.
What It’s Like to Compete Against Goliath (And Why You Should Do It Anyway)
A lot of startups compete against huge, successful companies. Here’s why you shouldn’t be afraid.
It’s Lonely Being a Solo Founder
As a solo founder, I felt like I was carrying a weight that I couldn’t share with anyone. Here’s how I’m fighting back…
What I Did When I Couldn’t Find a Technical Co-Founder
Without a developer, Groove would never get built. Here’s how I took the first step to turning my idea into a business.
What I Fear Most As a Founder
My name is Alex, and I’m scared. Here’s why that’s not a bad thing, and why you shouldn’t be afraid of fear, either.