"I know I have a spotlight on me, and my team is looking at me to show them the way. What I've learned about over the years, and what you'll hear about in this chapter, is leadership is not about being the smartest or the loudest in the room. It's about listening and gathering information from smart people so you can make the best decisions. It's not about short-term wins. It's about big picture strategy. It's not about being liked. It's about being respected. The leader's hat is a heavy hat to wear, but it's so important to the success of your business." - Andy Jones, President, Forrest Firm

This is Chapter 11: The Leader's Hat

The author of Startup Hats is David Gardner, a seven-time successful startup entrepreneur who now spends his time advising and investing in early stage companies at his venture capital firm Cofounders Capital. Working with startups ranging from software to breweries, David provides firsthand knowledge of what founders need to know to be successful – how to think critically, master time management, and avoid disastrous mistakes.

A new chapter of Startup Hats will be released each week, but if you’d like the audiobook now, it’s available on Audible now!

"The sales reps are the ears and eyes for potential customers. No matter how much YOU love your new business, your good idea only matters if people will pay for it. Your sales reps will be the first to know if you have product market fit. If every deal is an uphill battle, it may not indicate that you’ve hired a bad rep, it could be a warning signal about the demand for your product. With that in mind, it’s essential that you make smart investments in sales as you grow your startup." - Brad McGinity, Chief Revenue Officer, 15Five

This is Chapter 10: The Sales Manager's Hat

The author of Startup Hats is David Gardner, a seven-time successful startup entrepreneur who now spends his time advising and investing in early stage companies at his venture capital firm Cofounders Capital. Working with startups ranging from software to breweries, David provides firsthand knowledge of what founders need to know to be successful – how to think critically, master time management, and avoid disastrous mistakes.

A new chapter of Startup Hats will be released each week, but if you’d like the audiobook now, it’s available on Audible now!

"Something a founder might be surprised about is the amount of negotiating he or she will do on a daily basis. Negotiating with vendors, with those first clients, recruits, initial investors, and eventually with the people or companies who are looking to buy the business. Through it all, founders need to know tactics and tricks that people on the other side of the table will be using to prevent fair market deals from happening." - Adam Goldblatt, Attorney at Forrest Firm

This is Chapter 9: The Negotiator's Hat

The author of Startup Hats is David Gardner, a seven-time successful startup entrepreneur who now spends his time advising and investing in early stage companies at his venture capital firm Cofounders Capital. Working with startups ranging from software to breweries, David provides firsthand knowledge of what founders need to know to be successful – how to think critically, master time management, and avoid disastrous mistakes.

A new chapter of Startup Hats will be released each week, but if you’d like the audiobook now, it’s available on Audible now!