Mini-episode: The Startup Dilemma – Working on the Business and Working in the Business

Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures

In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, successful serial entrepreneur Jan Heybroek shares a skill he’s built in his entrepreneurial journey: the ability to simultaneously work in the business and on the business. The capacity to strike this balance is critical for staying ready for known and unexpected opportunities. Jan offers specific ways for founders to manage this challenge and a great case study for what can happen if you do.

Time Stamps:

• 02:24 The Role of Perseverance and Thinking Ahead
• 04:33 Reverse Engineering Goals and Being Prepared for Pivots
• 05:03 Being Opportunistic and Seizing Unexpected Opportunities
• 05:30 Preparing for an Exit and Strategic Planning

Points of Wisdom:

• Conviction in a market opportunity is a necessary starting point for entrepreneurs.
• Confirming product-market fit is crucial for success.
• Thinking ahead and being prepared are critical skills for founders.
• Perseverance is essential in the entrepreneurial journey.
• Working on your business, not just in it, is important.
• Metrics, dashboards, and accountability are key to measuring progress.
• Reverse engineering goals and measuring what matters keeps you accountable and prepared for pivots.
• Being opportunistic can lead to unexpected opportunities and outcomes.
• Preparing for an exit requires strategic planning and systems in place.

About Jan Heybroek:

Jan Heybroek is a serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of senior leadership. He applies his knowledge and strategic marketing and product experience within life sciences and biopharma. He is particularly adept in building out new solutions, optimizing existing products and overseeing product portfolios to deliver industry and category-leading returns. Jan is also a thought leader in the areas of entrepreneurship, organizational partnerships, licensing and market insights.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janheybroek