Speakers
Therese Tucker – CEO / BlackLine
Description
This session will break through the dogma behind what it takes to build a successful tech company. With stories based on the founding of BlackLine — to the company’s successful IPO – you’ll learn the most common myths behind success and why they may be holding you back.
Notes:
BlackLine is an American enterprise software company that develops cloud-based accounting software that helps businesses manage their quarterly financial reports. It is valued at USA$1.7B
Therese grew up on a farm with parents that didn’t go to college. She did computer science degree
16 years since it started
Up to 2014 was bootstrapped
Sold majority in 2014
Finding the right partner is key to business success
October 2016 did IPO
Myth
There’s a playbook for success
Companies have a unique DNA so copying someone else might just kill you
Truth
there’s more than one way to the top
Myth
Being a founder makes you a rock star
You need confidence and a little arrogance but biggest mistakes come from people that start to believe their own hype and lose focus on their own company
Committed to doing whatever it takes to make it work
The glamour of a founder might come much much later
Pivot from arrogance to humility – gives you focus and clarity on the business
Truth
Don’t be that guy. Humility plays.
Don’t be married to your idea… it may not work and you may need to pivot to another idea
Myth
You’re founding the next Amazon.
Most startups fail
Truth
Write your own story
Myth
You need funding to be successful
Truth
Focus on getting customers
Myth
Hire the best to ensure success
Truth
Good, cheap or not crazy. Pick two.
You need talent development. People want the opportunity to do well and grow
Myth
Everything you hear about women in tech
Truth
Women are an asset undervalued in the market
A company is like a kid, you can’t leave it for 2 seconds otherwise it will go off the tacks
Advice to entrepreneurs… Don’t do it
The journey ahead will be the best and the worst, you’re going to laugh and cry over time, you going to learn and learn and learn.