Are you outsourcing your thinking to ChatGPT? That’s a fast track to sabotaging your startup.

In this episode, I share two real conversations I had with founders who said they got their market size numbers from ChatGPT. That is a red flag for any investor. The problem is not that they used AI. The problem is that they didn’t understand what the answer meant or where it came from.

I walk through the right and wrong ways to use tools like ChatGPT in your startup. Whether you’re researching your target market, writing content, or creating your financial projections, you need to know what is solid and what is just noise.

You will learn:

· When using AI makes sense and when it is a trap

· How to ask for citations so you can verify the data

· Why AI-generated financials almost always fall apart

· What to do instead so you can sound sharp and raise with confidence

This isn’t about avoiding AI. It is about using it well so you can think clearly, move faster, and make better decisions.

📍 Join The Crossroads Founder Community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

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🎙 Listen to the Podcast: https://ftb.bz/podcast

📝 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/122B

Most founders don’t fail because of a bad idea.

They fail because fear, doubt, and hesitation stop them before they ever really start.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with internationally recognized mindset coach David Neagle to talk about what keeps talented people stuck, and how to break free.

We explore:

Why so many founders never launch

The mindset shift that drives real change

How to push through fear and uncertainty

The discipline behind every successful entrepreneur

Why authenticity beats confidence when raising capital or building a team

David also shares his powerful personal story, from working a warehouse job to tripling his income in 30 days, and building a multi-million dollar coaching business.

If you’ve been struggling with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or fear of failure, this conversation will hit home.

🎯 Read the blog version with full highlights and the embedded video: https://ftb.bz/121B

🎥 Prefer video? Watch here: https://ftb.bz/121V

👥 Ready to connect with fellow founders? Join the Crossroads™ community: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

📘 Get David’s free Quantum Leap Blueprint to kickstart your next breakthrough: https://www.lifeisnowinc.com/pg-ftb

Unlocking Startup Growth: Fundraising Strategies and Resilience Tips with Paulo Andrez

What separates the startups that raise capital and scale… from those that stall out?

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Paulo Andrez—angel investor, serial founder, and startup turnaround specialist—to talk about the real challenges early-stage founders face.

We dig into:

• Why most founders raise capital too early

• What investors like Paulo actually look for in a startup

• How to recover from failure and pivot the right way

• Why founder resilience is more important than brilliance

• The biggest reasons startups fail—and how to avoid them

If you’re working on a startup and planning to fundraise (or already trying), this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 For the full blog recap: https://ftb.bz/120B

🎥 Watch the full video: https://ftb.bz/120V

💬 Join our founder community, Crossroads, to go deeper with conversations like this: https://ftb.bz/crossroads

You can follow Paulo on LinkedIn at https:// www.linkedin.com/in/pauloandrez or on his website https://www.pauloandrez.com

Pre-Sell Before You Build: Avoid Costly Startup Mistakes — with David Hirschfeld

Most startups fail because they build something no one wants.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I talk with David Hirschfeld, founder of Tekyz and creator of the Launch First method, about how to flip the script and pre-sell your product before you build it.

We explore how high-fidelity mockups, early customer conversations, and focused problem validation can help founders avoid wasting time, money, and effort on products that miss the mark.

If you’re an early-stage founder, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you test, sell, and refine your idea before writing a single line of code.

👉 What you’ll learn:

✅ Why most startup products fail

✅ How to pre-sell using mockups

✅ When to raise capital—and when NOT to

✅ The difference between building what you want vs. solving real problems

✅ Why narrowing your focus is critical in the early stages

🎯 Thinking about raising capital?

Take my free 5-question quiz to see if you’re fundable:

👉 https://ftb.bz/fundable

🔗 Connect with David Hirschfeld:

🌐 Website: https://tekyz.com/

🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/tekyzinc

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmhirschfeld

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tekyzinc

📝 Want more from this episode?

📖 Read the full blog: https://ftb.bz/119B

🎞️ Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/119V

🎥 Related video: Watch my episode on pre-pivoting your startup: [Insert link here]

📍 Chapters

00:00 Intro — Most founders build too soon

02:09 Why solving the right problem matters

06:37 The Launch First method explained

10:27 High-fidelity mockups that look real

15:17 Validating with real customer conversations

18:07 Pre-selling before you write code

21:42 Founder mindset mistakes to avoid

27:12 Why you shouldn’t raise capital too early

31:07 Real-world examples from David’s work

34:57 Final advice for early-stage founders

👍 Like this episode? Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more practical startup advice!

#startups #founderadvice #productvalidation #entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot #presell #startupfunding #startupmistakes

Avoid These Startup Finance Mistakes — Insights from a Fractional CFO

Most founders ignore finance until it becomes a problem—don’t be that founder.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I sit down with Josh Aharonoff, a fractional CFO who works with fast-growing startups to get their financials investor-ready. We talk about common finance mistakes, when to hire help, and what investors expect from your financials—especially when raising capital.

If you’re pre-seed, pre-revenue, or thinking about raising capital, this conversation will help you avoid costly misstepsand get your financial house in order.

Read this as a blog: https://ftb.bz/118B

Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/118V

Take the quiz to see if your ready for funding: https://ftb.bz/fundable

👉 Topics we cover in this episode:

• When founders should start caring about finance

• How to avoid common finance mistakes

• When to hire a bookkeeper vs. CFO

• What financials investors expect at different stages

• How to think about accounting (cash vs. accrual)

• Tools for sales tax, payroll, and compliance

• Building an investor-ready financial model

🔗 Connect with Josh Aharonoff

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourcfoguy

Model Wiz (Financial modeling tool): https://www.modelwiz.com

👉 Related episode: Watch my interview with John Li of PickFu to learn how to test and validate startup ideas: https://ftb.bz/102B

👍 If you found this helpful, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice!

#Startups #Fundraising #FractionalCFO #StartupFinance #FeelTheBoot

🔥 Your Pitch is Losing Investors in the First 5 Seconds—Here’s How to Fix It!

Most founders waste the most critical part of their pitch—the opening. Investors remember the first and last things you say. But instead of making an impact, most founders start with:

“Hi, I’m [name], CEO of [company]…”

🚨 That’s a HUGE mistake.

In this episode of Feel the Boot, I show you how to cold start your pitch—a proven technique to instantly grab attention and keep investors engaged. You’ll learn:

✅ Why traditional intros weaken your pitch.

✅ How to hook your audience from the first second.

✅ The power of silence before you speak.

✅ A real-world comparison of bad vs. great pitch openings.

Want to make your pitch unforgettable? Watch now and start strong! 🎤🔥

🔗 Read the Blog: https://ftb.bz/117B

🔗 Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/117V

🔗 More startup pitching tips: https://ftb.bz/pitching-playlist

🔗 Get Help with your startup: https://ftb.bz/boost

🔗 Take the quiz to see if you are ready for investment: https://ftb.bz/fundable

💬 Have you used a cold open in your pitch? Share your experience in the comments!

👍 Subscribe for more startup insights!

What’s stopping you from starting your dream business?

For most people, it’s fear.

Fear of failure, financial loss, looking foolish—or even fear of success.

In this episode, we break down the most common fears entrepreneurs face and share actionable strategies to overcome them.

Learn how to:

✅ Do the research that calms fear of the unknown.

✅ Test your idea with quick, low-cost experiments.

✅ Build financial and emotional safety nets.

✅ Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and co-founders.

✅ Start small and “act as if” you’re already a founder.

Your entrepreneurial journey doesn’t have to be terrifying. Take the first step today—because hope isn’t a strategy, but action is.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more startup advice and strategies!

📚 Explore more resources on https://FeelTheBoot.com

✉️ Let’s connect: subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/join

Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/116B

Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/116V

#StartupAdvice #OvercomingFear #Entrepreneurship #FeelTheBoot

Why Startup Plans Fail (and Why That’s Okay)

Welcome to Feel the Boot, the science of startups! In this episode, host I share three insightful sayings about planning and their relevance to startups. Using quotes from Dwight D. Eisenhower, Helmuth von Moltke, and Mike Tyson, I discuss the importance of planning and adaptability when facing unexpected challenges.

Learn how to navigate the twists and turns of launching a business and how to pivot efficiently when your plans don't survive first contact.

Join the discussion and share your experiences in the comments.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more valuable content!

Get help with your startup https://ftb.bz/boost

Subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/join

Read the blog https://ftb.bz/115B

Watch the Video https://ftb.bz/115V