VIDEOS
Being a founder is more than the idea... #business #smallbusiness #strategy
Check out Episode 31 that answers the listener question, "What aspects of a business do founders overlook the most?"
Some think being a founder is about having the big ideas; nope-- it's much harder than that, and the best do it while knowing the baseline needs of supply and demand...
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review listener questions, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Biz performance goes beyond finance... #business #smallbusiness #leadership
Episode 33 answers the listener question, "How much finance should I [a founder] learn?"
(as much as what will make you effective!!)
Business performance goes beyond finance, and while finance is a critical function, you could say the same about ALL functions at different times in a business's lifecycle.
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review listener questions, answer with practical tips that work, then support more learning with additional…
Ask Christa! How much finance should I learn?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about how much finance knowledge and learning a founder needs as they get a business started. She emphasizes that while finance is crucial, it is not the sole focus of a business. Christa discusses the various functions within a business, particularly the role of General and Administration (G&A), and how they support overall operations (and how Finance is a part of G&A). She encourages …
A Board of Directors provide leadership and MUST have impeccable traits... #business #leadership
In Episode 32, I answer the listener question, "What Do Boards of Directors Do? " (if I were to be cheeky, my first answer would be, "at times, cause a lot of problems...")
Your BoD requires experience and expertise that's best for your organization at any given time in its development or contraction-- but the MOST important aspects of your Board is related to the traits of your Directors... they are in SERVICE to your organization...
And check out my…
Founder Leadership Means Rolling Up Your Sleeves! #business #leadership #smallbusiness
I've know quite a few founders who talk about themselves as "visionaries" while struggling to get the difficult, dirty work done: being able to put a business together to actually make the vision happen.
Check out Episode 31 that answers the listener question, "What aspects of a business do founders overlook the most? "
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review listener questions, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (…
The Founder's Role Isn't Just About Vision (you need a plan, too) #business #startup #smallbusiness
Check out Episode 31 that answers the listener question, "What part of a business does a founder overlook the most?"
Startup fail because they run out of money, can't raise more money, have a hard time launching a product, timing, market-fit... but there's also (and often) a pronounced lack of planning.
You don't need a deeply detailed plan, but having a business plan at startup with placeholders for what you'll learn as you gain speed brings a…
Outsourcing lets a business do what they do best #smallbusiness #business #efficiency
Episode 30 addresses the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?" (and yes, all businesses should do it, especially the smaller ones...) -- the biggest reason? It enables a business to focus on what they do best. "3PLs," or third party logistics companies, are a great example of this. If you are a jewelry maker, why would you want to build a warehouse, buy software, and manage an enormous inventory and logistics function if you can hire a…
Successful startups have effective leaders, which must include your investors #leadership #investor
Startups will be far more successful when the founder is an effective leader-- and startups will be even MORE successful when the investors are effective leaders also!
Episode 29 answers the listener question, "Why do so many startups fail?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questi…
The Function of a Board of Directors Shouldn't Be a Mystery #business #leadership #business
Check out Episode 32 that answers the listener question, "What Do Boards of Directors Do? " -- and I'm glad for this question because it shouldn't be a mystery...
... it's also really straightforward-- yet, it's exceedingly difficult to build an effective BoD that is functional, can grow with the business, and focus not just on status, but what it takes to enable steady, predictable, high achieving performance.
And check out my show Ask Christa! …
Ask Christa! What do Boards of Directors Do?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the essential functions and responsibilities of a Board of Directors (BODs). She talks about how BODs serve as oversight bodies, the importance of matching board composition with organizational needs, and the evolving functions of boards as companies grow, and a BOD’s responsibility to constructively steward an organization through challenges, too. Christa emphasizes the traits and characteristics that make for effective boa…
How do you make outsourcing decisions? #smallbusiness #business #entrepreneur
Episode 30 addresses the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?" (and yes, all businesses should do it, especially the smaller ones...) -- but it is a strategic decision and should not be considered a decision that "saves money."
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask …
Can someone be born to be a founder? #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business
What do "born founders" look like, and do you need to be born with an entrepreneurial spirit in order to be successful?
Episode 29 answers the listener question, "Why do so many startups fail?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
What do founders overlook the most? (starting with a plan...) #business #strategy #founders
Check out Episode 31, which answers the listener question, "What areas of a business do founders overlook the most? "
(anyone ever hear this, "I don't need a plan, that's too 'corporate'.")
This is episode 6 of 6 in the Business Basics Series that addresses various business questions in a way that aims to teach about business, too.
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical t…
Listener Question: "What do founders overlook the most?" #business #startup #leadership
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the listener question asking what aspects of a business are commonly overlooked by founders. She emphasizes the critical importance of having an executable plan, understanding customer needs, having a sound perspective on business, and the necessity of detailed planning for success. Christa also discusses the unique traits of founders and how they can impact business outcomes, highlighting that success is not solely based on personality but…
Outsource when you need a function, but not a FULL TIME function #smallbusiness #entrepreneur
Episode 30 addresses the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?"
(yes, all businesses should do it, especially the smaller ones...)
One of the key advantages to outsourcing is having deep expertise from another company when you need their deep expertise vs hiring such experts when you don't need them full time...
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer …
What drives most founders to startup a company? #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #business
Episode 29 of Ask Christa! addresses the listener question, "Why do so many startups fail?"
I review three key failure points, but I talk more about what makes the GOOD ONES succeed...
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christ…
The strategic case for small businesses to outsource #strategy #business #logistics
"Outsourcing" used to be a scary word, but these days, it's about leveraging OTHER companies' core competencies so you can focus on what YOU do best...
Episode 30 just dropped and it answers the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! What is Outsourcing and should all businesses do it?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of outsourcing, explaining that every business engages in outsourcing to some extent, emphasizing the importance of leveraging outsourcing to enable businesses to focus on their core competencies: what they do best. The key to outsourcing is being intentional about what stays in-house and what gets handed off. She shares relatable examples from areas like logistics and PR, and walks the listeners through how to de…
The VC funding model isn't the only way to fund! #business #innovation
Many people think venture capital is the foremost (and most popular) way to fund a startup-- but that's not true! There are a lot of different ways startups get funded. Your funding strategy must match your objectives...
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
And che…
The strategic case for small businesses to outsource #strategy #business #logistics
"Outsourcing" used to be a scary word, but these days, it's about leveraging OTHER companies' core competencies so you can focus on what YOU do best...
Episode 30 just dropped and it answers the listener question, "What is outsourcing and should all businesses do it?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! What is Outsourcing and should all businesses do it? #business #entrepreneur #strategy
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of outsourcing, explaining that every business engages in outsourcing to some extent, emphasizing the importance of leveraging outsourcing to enable businesses to focus on their core competencies: what they do best. The key to outsourcing is being intentional about what stays in-house and what gets handed off. She shares relatable examples from areas like logistics and PR, and walks the listeners through how to de…
New product? Build as much value as possible before seeking funding... #business #innovation
Build the prototype and THEN find funding? Or get funding TO build the prototype? Chicken or the egg?
Well... the goal is actually about VALUE, and there's only one way to get ahead of the game...
Season 3 Episode 27 is part of my Business Basics series where I’m answering a lot of general questions I’ve received in the last two months. Questions include: how a business runs, how to learn about the basics, and how to get savvy about funding in make-sense, easy ways.
Startup funding models are strategic-- many founders focus on tactics #business #innovation
Episode 28 is LIVE and is the 3rd of 6 in the Business Basics Series. It answers the question, "What's the best funding model for startups?"
(use the Video Chapters in the episode's show notes to skip around as needed)
Are you asking the right questions to focus on which funding model is best for your business and product needs?
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer addition…
Why Do So Many Startups Fail? (preview for S3E29!!) #startup #business #entrepreneur
Why DO so many startups fail?
* They run out of cash?
* Poor market fit?
* Bad timing?
* Founder temperament?
Check out Episode 29 that answers the listener question, "Why do so many startups fail?"
And check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, …