The hottest Substack posts of Carl’s Substack

And their main takeaways

How to not start the wrong business

39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
  1. Passion is important in business, but choosing the right market is crucial for success.
  2. Focus on markets with good CAC/CLTV ratio, quick payback time, and TAM growth for sustainable growth.
  3. Choosing the right market can save you from struggling in the wrong business for years.

What makes a great VC

19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
  1. Great VC's ask great questions and challenge founders.
  2. They show founders what excellence looks like by providing references.
  3. Good VC's lead by example, treat founders well, and are transparent about their thesis.

What I learned from Curb's failure

4 HN points • 16 Aug 23
  1. Be cautious when raising venture capital and prioritize owning the customer data
  2. Focus on building a strong business with returning customers and high margins
  3. Manage your time wisely and prioritize hiring great people over resumes

The real reason your boss is limiting your growth

0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
  1. Bosses may limit employee growth to maintain stability and consistency.
  2. Overperforming employees can disrupt the working environment.
  3. Entrepreneurs may struggle in traditional "lineman" roles due to their natural inclination to challenge the status quo.

Upstream decisions and time

0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Finance Investing Strategy Personal Development
  1. Make wise choices early on in life, like who you marry and where you live, because they have a big impact on your future. It's important to focus on those key decisions.
  2. If you realize you made a mistake, don't worry too much. Your next decision can change everything, so keep moving forward.
  3. It's better to think things will take longer than they actually will. People often underestimate the time needed for big results, and that's okay.
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