Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

Stuck? Time to Improv! The Startup Launchpad

by Mary Scott

Entrepreneurship Marketing

Season 2025

Scott Kelly - What Do Investors Want?

https://blackdogventurepartners.com/ Scott Kelly from Blackdog Venture Partners talking about what investors want. Mary Scott interviewed Scott Kelly from Black Dog Venture Partners to discuss investor pitch preparation. Scott emphasized the importance of matching the right investors to the startup's stage and having complete documentation ready. He outlined the different stages of investment, from pre-seed to growth capital, and explained the key components of a pitch deck, including the problem being solved, solution, pricing, team, exit strategy, and funding ask. Scott also mentioned that Black Dog Venture Partners focuses on technology, software, cybersecurity, and AI companies. You can find our startup tools including Pitch deck template here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xv9J6L78iIZQDpLGqwyLe4aSMuRDy9Wx?usp=drive_link Websites https://vcfastpitch.com/ https://emergingmanagerspodcast.com/ Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackdogceo/ https://x.com/BlackDogCEO https://www.instagram.com/blackdogceo/

Cristina Imre - Moving Fast in AI Market

Cristina Imre from Quantum Wins talking about moving fast in today's AI market. AI Strategy Integration Insights Mary and Cristina discussed the importance of integrating AI strategically, emphasizing that many companies have rushed into AI without proper planning, leading to poor outcomes. Cristina highlighted that small players now have an opportunity to outperform larger companies if they adopt the right strategies, focusing on shipping signals rather than just features. She explained that signals come from user interactions and provide meaningful insights, which are crucial for success in the AI landscape. Mary agreed, stressing the need for careful consideration and verification of AI outputs. AI Startups: Focus on Specifics Mary and Cristina discussed the approach startups should take when developing AI solutions. Cristina emphasized the importance of focusing on a single specific pain point for a small, well-defined audience rather than creating complex AI platforms. She suggested starting with agile sprints and testing for traction before investing heavily in development. Mary agreed, adding that AI should be viewed as a tool designed for a specific purpose rather than a general solution, and highlighted the potential for startups to create niche, feature-specific applications that can complement existing platforms. AI Strategy and Team Alignment Cristina and Mary discussed the importance of using AI effectively in business, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts and clear KPIs to avoid waste and ensure success. Cristina highlighted the significance of aligning teams, setting measurable goals, and understanding market needs, while Mary stressed the importance of strategic planning and avoiding premature launches. They agreed on the value of learning from problem-solving experiences to tackle new challenges, and Cristina offered to answer any further questions from the audience. Connect with Cristina LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinaimre/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CristinaImreOfficial Tech Leadership Lab: https://www.youtube.com/@TechLeadershipLab

Mary Scott - Pitch Perfect

Podcast host, Mary Scott, gives practical tips on how to pitch your idea/product/service in a clear & compelling way. Very short & sweet. https://businessriff.com

Rachel King - Maker Spaces for Startups

https://madestl.com Rachel King from MADE Makerspace will talk about maker spaces Prototyping Services at Made STL Mary and Rachel discussed the importance of prototypes for startups and the services offered at Made STL, a makerspace in St. Louis. Rachel explained that Made STL provides a variety of equipment and classes for members to create prototypes, including 3D printing, lasers, textiles, wood, and metal shops. They also offer community classes for non-members and host social events, such as Delish on Del Mar, every third Friday. Mary encouraged viewers to visit Made STL for their prototyping needs and mentioned that Startup Week would be a good time to stop by. https://www.facebook.com/MADEStLouis

Hailey Phillips - Accounting Tips for Startups

https://fearless-accounting.com Hailey Phillips from Fearless Accounting talks about basic accounting for startups Startup Accounting Best Practices Mary and Hailey discussed essential accounting practices for startups. Hailey emphasized the importance of separating personal and business finances by opening a separate business bank account and using distinct bank cards. She also stressed the need for early cash flow tracking using tools like QuickBooks or Excel to project future success and monitor business goals. Mary added that investing money into the business should be categorized separately as a "loan from owner" to track returns on investment. Tax Tips for Small Businesses Hailey discussed common tax mistakes made by small business owners, emphasizing the importance of early tax planning and seeking professional help. She advised business owners to work with accountants familiar with their industry to maximize deductions and avoid penalties. Hailey also recommended regular financial check-ins, using automated tools like QuickBooks, and digitizing receipts to simplify bookkeeping. Mary agreed on the importance of having a marketing person, an accountant, and a lawyer on a startup's team.

Liz Johnson - Basic Branding for Startups

Liz Johnson from Mountain View Marketing talks about basic branding for startups Startup Branding Strategies and Costs Mary Scott interviewed Liz Johnson from Mountain View Marketing to discuss branding for startups. Liz explained that a successful brand is engaging, effective, and consistent, with consistent branding across all platforms potentially increasing revenue by 23%. She outlined key components of branding, including value propositions, logo, tagline, and color palette, emphasizing the importance of scientific color selection and consistent brand personality. Liz also shared that a professional branding package can cost between $3,395 and $12,000, and offered advice on authenticity, transparency, emotional connection, and platform selection for branding efforts. For 22 years Mountain View Marketing has helped our clients brand effectively and reach or exceed their business growth goals. Serving solopreneurs through companies with 200 employees in all verticals nationwide—we’re proud that 98% of our business comes from referrals. I’m a strong proponent of collaboration and would like to learn about your business. Let’s connect and schedule a 1-1. Liz Johnson, President & Principal Consultant, Mountain View Marketing, Helping You Reach New Heights, 540.675.1201, liz@mountainviewmarketingllc.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvmarketingliz/, https://mountainviewmarketingllc.com/.

Don Gleason - Unreasonable Engagement for Startups

https://dongleasonconsulting.com/ Don Gleason from Don Gleason Consulting talks about Unreasonable Engagement: How Startups Can Win by Doing More Than Expected Unreasonable Engagement in Consulting Mary and Don discussed the concept of "unreasonable engagement" in consulting, inspired by Will Guidara's transformation of a struggling restaurant into the world's top one through "unreasonable hospitality." Don explained that this approach involves leading with curiosity rather than judgment, asking questions to understand clients' needs and challenges, and providing solutions tailored to their unique situations. He emphasized that this method, which he applies to consulting for startups, focuses on giving clients more than they expect and avoiding preconceived notions about their businesses. Flooring Company's Language Label Success Don shared a success story about a flooring company that improved its market position by implementing a unique labeling system in multiple languages, which helped reduce mistakes and increase margins from 4% to the desired 10-12%. Market Research for Startup Success Don and Mary discussed the importance of market research for startups, emphasizing the need to identify and address customer pain points. They highlighted the importance of understanding the market's needs and delivering results rather than focusing solely on the process or tool. Don shared his experience of creating a software tool for consultants, which was developed after extensive market research and feedback from potential clients. They concluded that startups should prioritize customer needs and be flexible in their execution strategies. Teamwork and Course Correction in Entrepreneurship Don Gleason shared his sailing analogy to emphasize the importance of course correction and teamwork in entrepreneurship, highlighting that successful navigation requires adjusting to changing conditions and involving the team for better outcomes. He also introduced a personal principle of waiting for the right moment to address important conversations, comparing it to navigating shallow waters. Mary Scott encouraged startups to engage with Don for further insights and invited listeners to join future sessions for more advice on success. Consulting Software: https://www.kingdomgrowthengine.com blog: “Unreasonable Consulting” – The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/unreasonable-consulting-don-gleason-mba-72gte

Joshua Blackwell - Immersive Experience Marketing for Startups

https://blkunicrn.com Joshua Blackwell from BLK UNICRN talks about immersive marketing experiences Immersive Experiences for Sales Enablement Mary Scott interviewed Josh Blackwell from BLK UNICRN about immersive experiences, which combine technology, storytelling, and interactivity to create engaging audience participation. Joshua explained that immersive experiences can take various forms, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and location-based activations, and provided examples such as sales enablement training and interactive slide decks for startups. He highlighted how these experiences can help sales teams understand customer pain points and create memorable investor presentations, emphasizing the importance of capturing attention within the first 13 seconds. Next steps Startups to consider incorporating immersive experiences into their marketing toolkit. Startups to explore the possibility of creating immersive slide decks for investor pitches. Interested parties to contact Josh Blackwell from Black Unicorn for more information on immersive experiences. Startups interested in improving their chances of success to book a call with Mary Scott at https://businessriff.com

Lon Taylor - UX Market Research for Startups

https://firstinsights.com Lon Taylor from First Insights talks about the Why & How of UX Market Research UX Research for Startup Success Mary Scott discussed the importance of user experience (UX) and customer experience (CX) research for startups with Lon Taylor from First Insights. They explored why such research is crucial, including understanding user needs, validating target markets, and ensuring product relevance. Lon suggested using qualitative research methods like interviews and surveys, emphasizing the value of depth and detail in user feedback. He also highlighted how UX research can help startups save time and money, attract funding, and refine their offerings. Market Research for Startup Success Mary and Lon discussed the importance of market research for startups, sharing examples of projects that failed due to lack of user testing and proper execution. Lon emphasized the value of usability testing and case studies, even for companies with significant investments. They agreed that Lon would provide a one-page guide for startups on market research, which Mary would share with her audience. UX Research Tips for Startups PDF https://businessriff.com/documents/2025/07/ux-research-tips-for-startups.pdf/

Donna Loeffler on Startup Messaging for Engagement

Donna Loeffler from Mind Your Heart Marketing talks about Messaging for Engagement Mary and Donna discussed the critical role of clear and effective messaging for startups, with Donna sharing her foolproof elevator pitch formula and custom GPT tool for message refinement. They explored the importance of specific language, painting vivid pictures, and focusing on target audience problems. Donna also highlighted the value of message testing and feedback, mentioning her monthly workshop where participants can practice their pitches in a supportive environment. Donna emphasized the need to be specific, use language that paints a picture, and focus on the biggest problem of the target audience. She introduced her "foolproof elevator pitch formula" and a custom GPT tool to help refine messages. They also talked about the value of testing and tweaking messages, as well as getting feedback from potential customers. Donna mentioned her monthly "What to Say" workshop where participants can practice their elevator pitches in a safe environment. https://donnaloeffler.com

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