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Building Your Own Thing (Even if You Don’t Exactly Feel “Entrepreneurial”)
Ten years ago I was on the terrace at Google’s San Francisco office telling a friend, “I’m not starting a company.” She felt the same. We were happy at work, growing fast, earning well —and quite frankly would have no idea how to make that leap. Fast-forward to now: We both run our own businesses — and we’re happy we jumped. We wouldn't have it any other way. I coach a lot of professionals at that same edge. One of them — let’s call her Amy — who inspired this article, was
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 6, 20257 min read
Growing Exponentially After Product-Market Fit: Who to Hire First, Spend Vs Grow, and How You Lead Before You Scale
You’ve done the hard part: built the MVP, tested it, found signs of product-market fit. Maybe your early customers love it, you’ve got...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 21, 20258 min read
You Don’t Need a CxO — Until You Do
Startups are built on extremes. You’re either scrappy or bloated. You’re doing it all yourself or over-hiring too soon. You’re...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Aug 3, 20254 min read
How to Be More Decisive Without Being a Jerk
Most people think there are only two types of decision-makers: → The bulldozers who steamroll everyone in their path → And the wishy...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 30, 20254 min read
How to Build a Business While Raising Small Kids as an Expat: Juggling ambition, identity, and nap time
When I launched my coaching business, I had two things on my mind: How to make it successful. How to not miss the moments that...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 9, 20255 min read
Should You Bootstrap or Fundraise? It Depends — But One Thing Always Matters
As a startup coach and Loyal VC advisor I spend a lot of time with founders. Some are knee-deep in pitch decks. Some are wondering if...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 8, 20254 min read
Scaling Your Business Without Losing Soul
What if success didn’t have to look loud? There’s a particular brand of business success we’ve all been conditioned to admire: 📈...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 21, 20254 min read
Building a Portfolio Career: Design a Work Life on Your Terms
Recently, I’ve noticed a significant increase in people reaching out to work with me, eager to make a major shift in how they structure...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 12, 20245 min read
On Grit: How Leaders can Cultivate High-Performing Teams
One of my coachees, who comes from a stringent corporate environment and is now leading their own startup, recently reflected during our...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 8, 20245 min read
The Career Kaleidoscope & the Art of Portfolio Diversification (a.k.a. Musings on Portfolio Careers)
My upbringing was in a household that lived and breathed the virtues of a stable job, consistency, and diligent work - principles deeply...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 14, 20238 min read
End of Year Strategic Planning and OKRs
As the year winds down, I've noticed that many of my coachees, each a highly successful, accomplished, and driven leader, are feeling the...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 6, 20236 min read
Turmoil and Triumph at OpenAI: Leadership Lessons on How to Use Influence
In my role as a coach for executives and business owners, I frequently address the dilemma of earning respect and loyalty from one's...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 27, 20235 min read
Inside the Mind of Venture Capitalists: What VCs Look for When Evaluating Startup Opportunities
In the ever-changing world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful force, igniting the dreams of...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 17, 20236 min read
Navigating the B2B vs. B2C Conundrum: Insights for Start-up Founders
Are you a startup founder asking yourself this question: Should my business target businesses or direct consumers? If your answer is...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 4, 202311 min read
Getting Your First 100 Customers Part II: Understand your Potential Customers
Last week in the first article of the five part series , "Getting your First 100 Customers," I explored the critical first step:...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 23, 20237 min read
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