This week on The Venture Variety Show, I’m joined by longtime early-stage investor and startup mentor Marvin Liao, who shares his hard-earned insights on what it really takes to succeed as an entrepreneur.
Marvin is a big advocate of writing as a way to clarify thinking and share insights. He regularly publishes his thoughts on startups, investing and personal development on his Medium account, which is worth checking out for anyone in the startup world.
In the podcast, we talk about the challenges of fundraising, how to connect with the right investors, and why the journey of building a company is as much about personal growth as it is about business.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Marvin’s take on the emotional rollercoaster that every founder faces. You know, the extreme highs and crushing lows that an entrepreneur can experience on the same day. I pulled a short clip where he breaks down why managing these swings is one of the biggest mental hurdles in entrepreneurship.
And despite all the uncertainty in the market, Marvin makes a case for why now—yes, right now—is actually one of the best times to be an entrepreneur. With more tools, technology and access to knowledge than ever before, he believes the next wave of small, highly profitable businesses is just getting started.
Listen to the full episode for more insights, including:
✅ The best way for founders to connect with investors
✅ How Silicon Valley lost its way, and why it needs to get back to basics
✅ What entrepreneurs should be doing before they start raising money
📖 Read more from Marvin on Medium: Marvin Liao’s Medium
Let me know what resonates with you. Are you seeing these highs and lows in your own entrepreneurial journey? Drop a comment or email me your thoughts!
🎧 Click on the video at the top of the post to play the full episode. You can also follow The Venture Variety Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
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