7 Ways to Succeed in Startups (from people who actually did it)

Actionable advice only from founders, operators, and investors

"How did you pivot from finance to a tech startup?"

That question launched my content journey 8 months ago, and last week it came full circle when I hosted my first in-person event with Draper Startup House (and fun fact: this all came together because my Wharton classmate is a leader there!).

We brought together Maxime Bucaille, Audrey Djiya, and McKenzie Hagan — three incredible people who've done just about every startup ecosystem role between them: operator, investor, founder. The room was packed with thoughtful people asking smart questions about their next move.

Here’s the TLDR:

1. Leverage your transferable skills. Don't downplay them

One panelist's consulting background became her secret weapon because she learned to ask the right questions and developed customer obsession. Another's cross-functional experience helped her see how product, sales, and ops connect.

What you can do: Write down 3 skills from your current role that directly solve startup problems (project management, customer research, analytical thinking, etc.).

2. Focus on learning and growth, not title

One panelist became a VP at 24 (but in a team of only 4). Another was a "Growth Manager" while owning product, ops, and customer success.

Instead of asking what your title is when taking on a new role, ask yourself: Are you solving harder problems than last year? Gaining real leverage? Taking on more ownership?

What you can do: Before applying, ask yourself: "Will this role teach me something I can't learn anywhere else?"

3. Take initiative. No one is coming.

Startups don't need people waiting for managers to assign tasks.

The best operators:

• Find problems before they're assigned

• Add value in their first 30 days

• Ask specific questions to understand a problem: "How do you measure success?" "What's your biggest bottleneck?"

What you can do: In interviews, share a specific example of when you identified and solved a problem without being asked. Think from first principles when approaching a new role.

4. Ask these 3 questions before joining any startup

• Do you believe in the team?

• Do you care about the product?

• Will you learn faster here than anywhere else?

What you can do: Research the founders' backgrounds, try the product for a week or get real customer reviews, and map out what specific skills you'd develop in the role.

5. Stand out by adding value upfront

Show why they need you before they even interview you.

Steal these ideas:

• Send a product teardown with 3 specific improvement ideas

• Introduce them to a potential customer from your network

• Create a brief market analysis for their space

• Record a 2-minute Loom explaining how you'd approach their biggest challenge

6. Use your beginner's mind as an advantage

Don't assume you know how things work. Instead, learn and absorb first. The best new operators ask "why" and “rebuild from first principles”.

What you can do:

• Talk to 10 people in the startup ecosystem before applying anywhere if you’re new to the space

• Follow startup founders and VCs on Twitter to learn the language

• Always understand a problem before going into solution mode

7. MBAs help but aren't required

MBAs can open doors with investors and later-stage startups (especially as a founder), but they're not necessary for early-stage roles. Some founders might even see them as a signal you're too theoretical.

The reality: It can provide credibility and warm intros, but you still need to prove you can execute.

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We kept this event intimate so people could actually connect, and the energy was unreal. Folks made new friends, LinkedIn connections, even post-event plans. We had attendees from London, Michigan, and all over NYC.

👀 Should I host another one of these?

Tech Jobs I'd Apply to This Week

Curated US roles (mostly) for generalists in tech with ~2+ years of experience.

Typically includes: Strategy & Ops / BizOps / GM, Chief of Staff, GTM, Program/Project Manager, Product & Product Marketing, etc.

• Product Strategist – Agents – Vannevar Labs (AI/Defense Tech, Series B, SF)

• Senior Product Marketing Manager – Samsara (IoT/Hardware SaaS, Public, SF)

• Startup Partner Manager – Vercel (Developer Platform, Series E, SF/Remote)

• Community Manager – Antler (Venture Studio, Series A+, SF)

• Strategy & Ops for Events – Leland (Ed-tech, Series A, Utah)

• Operations/Investment Associate – K Street Capital (VC Fund-of-Funds, DC)

• Operations Associate – Lovable (E-commerce/Health, Stage TBD, NYC)

• Associate – Quona Capital (Fintech VC, Growth, DC)

• Operations Associate – Ramp (Fintech, Series D, Various/Remote)

• Partner Expansion Manager – Deel (Payroll, Series D, Remote)

• Program Manager – Vistar (Ad Tech, Series B, NYC)

• Chief of Staff – Lantern (Healthcare, Remote)

• GTM Engineer – Primary (VC, NYC)

• Chief of Staff – Dropbox (Cloud Collaboration, Public, SF)

• Platform Manager – Airbnb (Hospitality, Public, US)

• GTM & Growth – Ataraxis AI (AI, NYC)

• Senior Strategic Alliances Manager – Hootsuite (Social Media SaaS, Public, NYC/Texas)

• Growth & Partnerships – Hello Clever (Fintech, NYC)

• GTM Strategy – Carta (Fintech/Equity Mgmt, Series F+, NYC)

• Finance & Bizops – Gusto (HR Tech, New York, NY / Remote US)

• Business Operations – Deel (Payroll / Employer of Record, Remote)

• Vibe Growth Marketing Manager – Ramp (Fintech, Series C, Remote)

• Strategy & Ops – For A Travel (Travel Tech, Location listed within portal)

• AI Success Manager – Snorkel AI (AI, Enterprise, NYC / SF / Remote US)

What I’m reading this week

• LinkedIn: The era of the ideas guy

• LinkedIn: When are the best and worst times to join a startup?

• New Yorker: The Insidious Charms of the Entrepreneurial Work Ethic

• Bain Capital Ventures: The Four Chief of Staff Archetypes

• New York Times: 22 new jobs AI could give us: What jobs are next?

In case you missed it…

• GOATed advice from ex-Duolingo Marketing VP on working in startups

• I made a list of 20+ non-obvious places to look for tech jobs

• Which version of working 70 hours a week do you prefer?😆
  

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