So, I'll keep it simple. After a decade in strategy, rapid scaling, problem solving, compliance (campaigns), and then after Crypto and a small trading desk (was pretty well known). I took some time for myself. I came back to two kids who begged my fiance(at the time) for months sit down with them. So finally I did. These guys had 0 clue how to run a business, they just knew how to build apps and do "marketing". I put it in quotes because the limitation of the marketing experience was well, limited. They seemed to be more obsessed with titles than actually being worthy of them. So when I offered to come on, seeing that two friends were down to their last bit of capital and had to swallow a lot of pride to admit it. I figured why not, they listen to me, and the only thing keeping them from success was inexperience and lack of a network. So I introduced them to my VC friends, my angel friends, even got them some practice pitches and critiques. Sadly 60 days to get funding was in their eyes absurd and taking too long. So they accept some low-ball offer, which honestly I would have done the same, and the investor had a network that was worthwhile, and experience in similar niche markets. So they get funding, not even a thank you, because for some reason after I spend two hours convincing the guy to even offer money, they took credit. Well they seemed to take credit for everything. I am not one to care who gets it's, but when I stare at them confused everytime they "came up with an idea" that I emailed them two weeks prior, and was outdated by the time that they did a failed implementation of it. I feel like the moment I took an actual role in order for the company to grow. And the CEO saying "I'm the CEO don't you forget that this is my company, I'm the boss" started to show that there was some ego issues. While some were warranted. I don't think I did it intentionally. I worked with interns regularly, helped them solve problems and work through issues they were having. I actually showed up to the office instead of working from home. I never showed myself at 1pm on jet ski's, but always working till late into the evening. Our landlord and peers saw me as the workaholic and that I worked with two party boys. Like I honestly did what I would do on any campaign, work until the job was done. Yet, the other two executives, ignored that advice and kept getting upset, everyday about how "they were so far ahead, I have no clue what's going on" I saw them as getting ahead of themselves. Focused on the wrong things (5 versions of an app that has no users, no marketing going on, no implementation of revenue streams, all UX focus) And thus making my job further obsolete, because simply put there was nothing to grow. Just an app with 10k users, no vitality, and no way to calculate Cogs since the model is free, and no ads or data (which they legit have refused to listen on how to manage data, and are seriously going to end up getting sued if they don't take care of that issue there). Is this a normal thing, where young Executives, just focus on their IGs and Titles, but not the actual needs of the company? Is this a normal thing where it's impossible to explain how important something is to be done correctly and rushing is just asking for failure? Because now after I've legit spent 7 months bleeding my savings helping them, with an entire team that if the moment they find out that I'm being screwed out if pay will walk.... Simply because they have all said Multiple times - (name) thank you we were about to give up on these guys if you didnt come, they were so u organized, didn't do anything, we are so grateful. Thanks for all you do"... Yet lied to my face about funding, and left me in a bind, when I have so many outstanding invoices to them. They legit lie to my face and say the investor isn't giving us anymore money ... When I find out today that's actually not true, and when I asked about it they stuck to the same story. Like do I have to sue my friends in order for them to respect the guy they begged for months to come help them? I mean Jesus, i took a campaign from 2m in the bank and 16 employee's to 14000(firms, hourly, interns, and full time volunteers) in under 6 months, and helped Organize 23m in fundraising to accomplish the massive scale. I truly want to avoid politics and see that my real skill is conveying a message from executives and a board to devs/marketing/field/ops/hr and vise versa. I just don't know how to market that to potential companies and startups outside Politics. So it's like I'm between a rock and a hard place. How do I deal with inexperienced executives who don't even realize they are the reason their company is failing.... And every time I bring it up, even with all the evidence in the world, "I'm the boss, it's my company, don't ever forget that" .... It's like "I get that, but if you're having to feel like I need to be told that, are you really a leader?" "I am here trying to help you stay focused. I never wanted to handle Operations, HR, Compliance, Accounting, Interns, Legal, and continue to have Ignored Strategy, telling you to stop reinventing the wheel, hell to use Slack and Trello so I don't have to sit there and deal with issues of an invisible leader whom they see on IG playing outside at 1pm... While everyone else is working, or you eating $200 dinners partying while your staff is told they can't afford payroll." Sorry for the venting here as well. Maybe more than anything i am looking to see if this is normal, if this would be the same whereever I went, and maybe politics is the only place for me, even though they are a decade behind in everything they do.
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This is going to be very generic, lifestyle advice and I hope youâll pay attention: please learn how to set boundaries with people, especially if they are not your immediate family. Your level of investment in these people is unhealthy I donât know how you were socialised and where you live but you need some kind of mentoring on work relationships.
Sadly one thing I didnt mention is that these guys I've known for almost all my adult life while they were still teenagers. So the personal/work boundaries are not there. That being said, my fatal flaw has always been making the problems of those I care about my own. Something I have always struggled with. Probably because of too much anime đ..... Not really but, I have recently actually noticed it's a lot of people who have military / worked in combat zones/gang or impoverished upbringings have a similar issue. When you are used to an environment that you know the person next to you would take a bullet for you, would die for you, and are loyal to that cause, the adjustment to that not being the case is quite drastic. While I think excuses are for those who don't want to deal with a problem, I do Absolutely agree that it is indeed part of the issue. I have noticed in more recent years I have over invest and over perform for others without it being mutual. Thank you for the advice.
You might have to sue but you should do your best to make sure they become unsuccessful
As much as it would hurt to do that, I feel it may be necessary. Before I was involved they always had a healthy amount of fear and respect. I think I may need to remind them of why that is.
Not normal. Youâre babysitting and itâs impacting you to the point that youâre losing a grip on reality outside this daycare. Take it up with the board of directors and GTFO.
Yeah, granted they are already failing to do board meetings because "they aren't public yet". I likely will just set up one and go meet with the other two and explain what's going on, and why I'm out.
Unfortunately there are lots of horrible executives and managers and employees. But deep down, the problem is not them. The problem is you: you should leave ASAP. It sucks to leave a company, itâs no fun. But youâre going to be so glad you left once youâre working with better people
Sadly I agree. And sadly I'm also on the board. Just 3 of the 5 board members refuse to do meetings
Are you on the board or an advisor? If not then the problem is you are way too vested in this and aren't getting any say into it. Either get a board position or GTFO. Btw can you invest in my dumb idea? You are like the best investor/board/advisor and I don't even have to give you anything like a board seat or shares or any formal role. And at some point, business is business and not just your friends and I think you found that limit.
Both, initially as an advisor with a board seat. Then I saw they knew 0 about hiring, how to talk to interns, or even the simplest things like how to handle payroll. The whole reason I haven't completely just said fuck this was because there's about 20 people who count on me being the only voice of clarity and reason. Also, technically I'm COO because the CEO is really just in name only because he likes to ride Jet Ski's at 1pm and say he had a hard day from looking at two pictures deciding which one is better.
They are Indians right?
One Jewish one Indian.
Well he's like Pakistani Indian, he says his family is from the part of India that hates most of the rest of India. Lol