Esco 🌎🍏🥧 on LinkedIn: Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive… Raising money is… (2024)

Esco 🌎🍏🥧

Innovation Catalyst | Startup Visionary | Brand Architect| Marketing & Branding Coach 📈Co-Founder of Esco Eats

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Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive…Raising money is the ultimate vanity metric in the startup world. Headlines scream about million-dollar rounds, but is it always the smart move?The truth is, money is a TOOL, not the GOAL. It can accelerate growth, but it can also dilute your vision and compromise your values.Case in point:Casper: This mattress company was a disruptor, built on a strong brand and innovative product. Then came the funding floodgates... and a focus on growth at all costs, leading to an IPO that tanked.WeWork: Once a revolutionary workspace concept, their obsession with fundraising and hyper-growth led to a dramatic downfall, exposing a shaky business model beneath the hype.Brandless: This CPG startup raised millions, expanded rapidly, then abruptly shut down, proving that funding doesn't guarantee success.Don't get me wrong, capital can be useful. But if it forces you to compromise your brand essence or prioritize investors over customers, it's a recipe for disaster.So, what's the alternative?Bootstrap: Focus on building a sustainable business model first.Customer Obsession: Your most loyal customers are your best investors.Profitability Over Hype: Prove your concept before you scale.Raising money isn't inherently bad, but it's NOT the only path to success. Don't let the fundraising frenzy distract you from building something truly valuable.What do YOU think? Is fundraising overrated? Drop a comment below!

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Tanya van Soest

fCMO I Co-Founder | Business Accelerator I Innovative Storyteller I B2B Tech Marketer I Creative Problem Solver I Maker of delicious soup I ❤️ shaping & growing brands I Montreal ✈️ New York based

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OMG could not love this post more!! Agree, agree. From my side of the business (marketing) I have a similar pet peeve. As soon as a business secures some funding, many rush to hire a full-time, high-priced, (aka high-risk) CMO. WHY? This locks them into a singular experience set and approach. The opposite of agile, fresh, and original, which is EXACTLY what start-ups need to protect if they want to grow sustainably. And yes, that includes hiring practices. A different playbook is needed here too.

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Jomy Methipara

Partner at Dickinson Wright | Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Expert | Patent attorney | R&D lawyer | Counsel for Entrepreneurs | Angel Investor | Problem Solver | Mentor | Advisor | Connector

3d

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Well said!

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    Business isn't about textbook formulas, it's about understanding human psychology.Think back to the earliest "businesses" - the village marketplace. It wasn't about spreadsheets, it was about human interaction, bartering, and the inherent desire for connection and community.Fast forward to today, and what do we see? Apple isn't just selling phones, they're selling status and belonging. Nike isn't just about shoes, it's about aspirational identity.The lesson? Business is about tapping into our deepest needs and desires. It's about perception, emotion, and the stories we tell ourselves.Supply and demand? Sure, that's part of it. But what DRIVES demand? Our need for belonging, our desire for novelty, our fear of missing out.Marketing strategies? They're effective because they understand our psychology – what triggers us, what motivates us, what makes us feel valued.I was never a straight-A student. But I built a successful business by understanding that people buy WHY, not WHAT. I didn't follow a formula; I followed my gut and tapped into the human element of business.So, what's YOUR "why"? What emotional need does your business fulfill? THAT'S the key to unlocking real growth.

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  • Esco 🌎🍏🥧

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    I started my company with $20 to my name.No safety net, no business plan, just a burning desire to create something of my own.The tech company I'd poured my heart into had just crashed overnight. But instead of letting fear paralyze me, I took a one-way flight home and dove headfirst into the unknown.That's how Esco Eats was born – a food series in Atlanta where I had zero connections and zero experience.My first attempt at apple cobbler a pie? An epic fail. Or was it? It turned out to be the best dessert in the world. Go figure. I hustled, I connected with my community... and eventually, I created a brand that people resonated with.In just two years, I went from a "nobody" to a 25 under 25 entrepreneur, not just by selling pie, but by creating an experience. It was the risk, the resilience, and the unwavering belief in myself that fueled my success.Here's the truth: You'll never know your true potential if you don't dare to step outside your comfort zone. The only time you truly fail is when you stop trying.So, what's YOUR one-way ticket? What's the dream that scares you but sets your soul on fire?The world needs your unique gifts. Don't let fear hold you back.#motivation #startup

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    There’s nothing like a CREW meet up in Nashville!Big shoutout to Andrew McGraw & Adam McGraw for putting on a amazing day.From learning about the best AI practices from Kevin SuraceTo hearing Ben Levenbaum talk about the new innovative ways you are able to reward your employees in a meaningful way.Let the good times roll in CREW, until next time 🥂.

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    A pleasure to meet you in person! I’m glad we had a chance to connect over some pie 🌎🍏🥧.

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  • Esco 🌎🍏🥧

    Innovation Catalyst | Startup Visionary | Brand Architect| Marketing & Branding Coach 📈Co-Founder of Esco Eats

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    The bakery industry is stuck in a rut. 🥧 For 200 years, it's been the same old recipes, the same tired marketing. Pie, once the heart of American desserts, now accounts for a measly 2% of the market.Meanwhile, the fitness industry pushes artificial pre-workouts linked to heart problems – the exact OPPOSITE of what we want! But why not eat a pie to fuel your workout? Sounds crazy but lets take a deeper look.Innovation isn't just about new ingredients, it's about a mental shift. Remember when Nike started? Running wasn't "cool." They had to make it aspirational.That's what we're doing with the World Famous Apple Cobbler Pie – Why can't you have pie for breakfast? They sell fruit danishes. Why can't you get an extra boost for your workout with something thats actually good. Really ask yourself in your business, WHY NOT?The results? Our pre-workout series has over 13,000 organic views and an incredible response from athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. Uncanny for a pie brand. But that's where the innovation starts! Be creative in your approach.It's proof that even in a stale industry, thinking outside the box can spark a revolution.

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    Raise a fork to National Apple Pie Day! 🍎 But hold the phone – we're not talking about your grandma's classic recipe.Did you know pie is the least consumed dessert in the industry (only 3%)? Yet, right here in Atlanta, we've got a rebellious twist on tradition that's defying the odds.Enter the World Famous Apple Cobbler Pie by Esco Eats. It's two desserts in one, a flavor explosion that's redefining what pie can be. What is should be 🤯.Why is this a big deal? Because it's the underdog story of the dessert world. We're the misfits, the rule-breakers, the ones who said, "Screw the statistics, we're gonna make pie our way...' AMAZING."And guess what? It's working.We're not just making pie, we're creating experiences. We're building a community of flavor rebels who crave something different, something better.So, on this National Apple Pie Day, we raise a toast (or a fork) to all the underdogs out there. The ones who dare to dream big, who challenge the status quo, and who prove that even the least popular dessert can become a legend.Cheers to flavor, rebellion, and the sweet taste of victory! 🥂

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Esco 🌎🍏🥧 on LinkedIn: Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive…Raising money is… (31)

Esco 🌎🍏🥧 on LinkedIn: Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive…Raising money is… (32)

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Esco 🌎🍏🥧 on LinkedIn: Your startup doesn't need millions in funding to thrive…

Raising money is… (2024)

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