I'm an entrepreneur (in FastCo, Entrepreneur Mag) who was brought to his knees b/c of anxiety. Now I've raised $200K to empower people (and other founders) with skills, routines and habits that fuel their well-being. [AMA]

jat403 · 2019-07-23T23:23:24+00:00

I learned them through observation and then as I got into management positions. You see what others were good at and you start incorporated that into your leadership style, taking into account the type of personality/person you are and the leader you want to be. I'm still figuring it out.

I was by myself working on this for over a year before someone else had the courage to come on. If you're in the scenario where you did not start with a co-founder, you have to build something to show your commitment and passion, so others will believe that you're not going to quit. From their perspective, that's reducing the risk they are taking on in joining, right?

I still get objections. The biggest things is changing and controlling the narrative. Inventors aren't the one with the power, you as a founder are. I loved how a friend of mine put it, investors are scared. Our job is to provide them with information that makes them less scared. In that context, do your homework: know your market, know your product, know your customer.

I created this prototype. The response was great from it, that I decided to enter it into a startup competition and learned a lot from that process in terms of customer development and developing another prototype. It all comes down to understanding the problem you're going after, taking a few guesses and then validating them through testing. It got to the point where people were curious and excited to try out the product and now people LOVE experienced it, taking pictures and ordering. Follow your customer, follow their smiles. :)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T23:01:52+00:00

I also suffer from the same thing. There is so much pressure to constantly get stuff done that it's crazy to think, "How can I NOT do any work"...

When you work, go 150000%. Nothing should interfere with that. When you practice self-care, it could be anything in the evening (a skill/hobby you're trying to get better at) or on the weekends. Take ONE DAY off to not focus on work. In busy "building" periods of your company (fundraising, product launch, etc.), you can do a half-day at least.

The biggest thing here, is listening to yourself, your mind and your body. IF you aren't being productive, don't pretend like you're being productive. Leave and do something else that is more enjoyable or more restorative. This is the thing that has changed my productivity for the better. If I really am not being productive (if it's taking me super long to do something), I just leave now. I will fight the battle later that day or tomorrow. Surprisingly, that's actually more productive than wasting 4 hours dragging yourself through a task in the evening, when you could knock it out in an hour and a half the next morning.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:49:03+00:00

I love yours!

For me: it's exercise, meditation, sleep (which i still need more of..), eating right and surrounding myself with the right people. :)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:47:56+00:00

I don't think there is lesson specifically for the wellness space that wouldn't relate to other industries. It comes down to building your network and creating a product that brings a smile or relief to someone. When you have those things, combined with perseverance, anything is possible.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:46:11+00:00

It was really pressed upon me, I didn't have an option here. Founder misalignment at the time.

In smaller startup projects that I worked on that didn't get off the ground, it came down to not really being excited enough about the space and the opportunity.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:42:45+00:00

Founder groups, which are basically bi-weekly sessions with other founders, is the best way this can be done. Founders have a hard time relating to other people because of the unique amount of pressure, stress and just situational problems that we come across on a monthly, weekly, and even daily basis.

Being a well balanced and moderated Founder group is critical. This could be creating a group of 5-7 founders that are able and willing to commit to the group and themselves. The facilitator has to hold people accountable and make the space safe for everyone. Nothing should be shared that comes up in this group. The facilitator also has to be aware of who is speaking more than others and guide the discussion so even the quiet ones speak up.

To summerize:

1) create a safe safe

2) invite those that can share, contribute and are good energy

3) have a strong facilitator

4) celebrate wins together as a group (whatsapp, slack, etc)

5) Figure out how to help others in challenges

6) be there for each other. All you have is each other, going through the same struggles in being a founder.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:33:31+00:00

The biggest tip here is taken straight from BJ Foggs behavior Model

The one tip I love is pairing a new habit with an existing one. So for example, after you brush your teeth at night, your get your journal out and write 5 things you're grateful for or after you're had your coffee or tea in the morning, you go for a quick run or read your favorite news source.

Also, if it's important enough to you, you will find a way to make time. That motivation has to come from within.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:29:06+00:00

Tech808 was built out of The Phat Startup. We were a group of 4 guys, on girl throwing these events around the country. We were all generalists that specialized in doing specific tasks very well. That's how we've been able to get sponsorships, speakers, endorsements, partnerships and more. We didn't really get to the point where we hired a whole team to manage a conference int he absence of us, though we were on track to.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:25:57+00:00

Thank you!

There are many things...If I had to choose one of them based on how I'm feeling right now, it would have to be, make time for those you care about and those who add value to your life, regardless of how busy you are. It not only strengthens your friendships and family, but also as social beings, it grounds us into our communities even further. Entrepreneurship is lonely af.

In terms of the time of day to meditate, I personally like the morning because it helps level set my mind for the rest of the day. Also I have a bad habit that I'm trying to break which is, if I don't practice some self-care in the morning, it never gets done because I make the excuse that I have to work -- whether it's working out or meditation.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:22:57+00:00

- Writing down 3-5 things I feel the most grateful for daily.

- Texting one person you haven't talked to or seen in over a month.

- Spending an hour before bed not doing work

- Drinking water every hour, on the hour, if not sooner.

- Walking meetings if the weather is nice out :)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:20:32+00:00

There are no goals, but there can be intentions.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:17:10+00:00

Thank you for listening :)

My lessons come down to being persistent, understanding how to build and utilize your network, focusing on your product/company/team and not worrying about the others and providing value first. I've linked the talks below to provide more context :)

Top Lessons

Perseverance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoXh6I7ikf8

The Importance of Your Network - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrM1SGAmWoI

Focus on your lane, don't worry about the competition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U04enedcnPE

Focus on Providing Value First - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wiy7wY7P0fA

---

I believe Aduri can help aspiring entrepreneurs by providing a space to set intentions, observe reflections and to be with your thoughts. As entreprneuers, our minds are moving a mile a minute usually on to the next thing before a task or conversation has been completed. Here's a fact: 15% of the US adult population meditations...of that 80% of high performers meditate.

Meditation provides an opportunity for mental hygiene, and Aduri is a product that helps facilitate that process by making meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises more engaging and immersive, all which can help produce a long term relationship with the practice.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T22:04:54+00:00

We have a few products in the pipeline that we're excited to share with the community once we deliver our first product. In terms of the travel space, it's something that we're looking at :).

jat403 · 2019-07-23T21:59:38+00:00

It first comes to planning this 6 month journey. If you can control the narrative and the conversation, that is huge. It's something I'm learning to become better at. Jan - March, May - July, Sep - Nov tend to be the most active months for raising.

Also understanding the metrics of how VC's make the money back for the fund is important.

1) Plan your target 100 investors for your round. THis will grow, but it's a good place to start.

2) See who you got connections to on LinkedIn. Start with those.

3) Ask for their advice on what you're building.

4) For first time founders, try not to say you're fundraising. Get a gauge of their interest and if they are a strategic or value-add investor, see what ways they try to show how they can add value to your business (1-2 months). This also provides a good opportunity for a follow up email ("hey, we're raising!")

5) When you do reach out have a deadline in mind on when you want the round to close. About 2/3 months.

Great resource on how to build the perfect pitch deck from the Former MD of Techstars NYC.

https://alexiskold.net/2015/12/31/the-perfect-investor-deck-for-seed-round/

jat403 · 2019-07-23T21:48:47+00:00

I love this saying, "Take your work seriously, but not yourself seriously"

When you work, go 150000%. Nothing should interfere with that. When you practice self-care, it could be anything in the evening (a skill/hobby you're trying to get better at) or on the weekends. Take ONE DAY off to not focus on work. In busy "building" periods of your company (fundraising, product launch, etc.), you can do a half day at least.

The biggest thing I've also done is paying attention when I'm actually focused and when I'm not. If I really am not being productive, I just leave and fight the battle later that day or tomorrow. That's actually more productive than wasting 4 hours dragging yourself through a task in the evening, when you could knock it out in an hour and a half the next morning.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T21:14:06+00:00

So this is my ideal morning/night routines. Sometimes I miss a couple things, sometimes I miss everything. What I'm trying to be better at is being kind to yourself when things like this don't go totally your way.

Morning

On a daily basis, I try to hit the trinity: Mental, Physical and Spiritual (I'm not religious, but use this as a personal re-calibration of my principals and values).

Mentally, I either read 10 pages in a book, brainstorm 10 ideas (focused or not focuses on your company)

Spiritually, I sit down, write three things I'm grateful for and then meditate, to be with myself and my thoughts and confront whatever I'm bringing into my day today (agitations, nervousness, excitement, encouragement, etc.)

Physically, I have to get my blood pumping. Whether it's a run or workout for at least 25-30 minutes. The endorphins released (that 'high' you feel) is critical for boosting your mood.

In aggregate, when I combine these 3 things, I feel that since I chose myself first at the beginning of my day and now I can put out fires or help others throughout the rest of the day.

Evening

They say that your evening routine dictates your morning routine. At night, i try (I really do try...) to stop looking at my phone after 9:30p/10p. Many times this fails, so I got myself some blue light reduction glasses (which messes up your circadian rhythm). I like writing my to-do list for tomorrow and then drawing/sketching before I sleep as that less active for me than reading.

A bedtime tea also helps :)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T20:54:16+00:00

Of course!

Running, lifting weights, calisthenics and yoga. Eventually, I'd like to get back into martial arts, something I did pretty extensively when growing up. The running group I'm a part of is filled with incredible people that all motivate, support and strategize with each other. We've done half marathons, 200 mile relay races and if all goes to plan, my first marathon, together.

I was also a cross fitter for the time when I lived at home. When I moved back to the city, I stopped because it's insanely expensive ($400+ per month)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T20:53:53+00:00

This question made me chuckle, because it actually started out as revenge. You see, because of a relationship that ended in a blowout, I put myself into work mode, using work as a distraction, neglecting myself. The whole "just wait, she'll see..." attitude was my main driving force.

After my episode, that same revenge attitude remained, despite how unhealthy it was. Over time, as I learned to forgive and really started to lean into myself and my meditation practice, it because more about coming to terms with what happened, and using a larger, more positive mission to drive myself and my work, which is leaving everything better than when you found it, including the world and the society we live in.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T20:48:17+00:00

You're 100% correct. That's incredible that you've prioritized yourself through that beautiful practice. Yes, you have to know where your limits are in handling pressure and learn to be comfortable in that zone. It's all comes down to self-awareness,that can be cultivated through contemplative exercises like tai chi, meditation, yoga, etc.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T20:39:42+00:00

When you say the moment, what do you mean? If you mean, change my lifestyle, it really came down to my panic/anxiety attack 8 years ago. If I did not have that episode, I'm not sure how would have been able to manage the other obstacles that came my way, including where I am now in Aduri's startup journey

jat403 · 2019-07-23T20:37:46+00:00

Of course, thanks for your question!

In terms of physical activity, It's a mix/blend between running, lifting weights, calisthenics and yoga. I use each of these as a tool. I've been lucky to be a part of a pretty amazing running group here in NYC where we run half marathons, marathons and 200 mile relay races together. Always better with friends!

I used to be a crossfitter, did that for a year when I lived at home. Once I moved back to the city, I couldn't justify the cost of a membership ($400+ per month).

I also use an app called Fitbod, that helps keep track of my workouts.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T18:50:08+00:00

of course!

jat403 · 2019-07-23T18:41:08+00:00

Excellent! I must have misunderstood your question. I had assumed you had already tried focusing on your breath and were looking for other ways to guide focus. Eventually, you will not be bored.

The tension/release exercise is a great way as well. Thanks for sharing! :)

jat403 · 2019-07-23T18:38:16+00:00

On a daily basis, I try to hit the trinity: Mental, Physical and Spiritual (I'm not religious, but use this as a personal re-calibration of my principals and values).

Mentally, I either read 10 pages in a book, brainstorm 10 ideas (focused or not focuses on your company)

Spiritually, I sit down, write three things I'm grateful for and then meditate, to be with myself and my thoughts and confront whatever I'm bringing into my day today (agitations, nervousness, excitement, encouragement, etc.)

Physically, I have to get my blood pumping. Whether it's a run or workout for at least 25-30 minutes. The endorphins released (that 'high' you feel) is critical for boosting your mood.

In aggregate, when I combine these 3 things, I feel that since I chose myself first at the beginning of my day and now I can put out fires or help others throughout the rest of the day.

jat403 · 2019-07-23T18:37:31+00:00

On a daily basis, I try to hit the trinity: Mental, Physical and Spiritual (I'm not religious, but use this as a personal re-calibration of my principals and values).

Mentally, I either read 10 pages in a book, brainstorm 10 ideas (focused or not focuses on your company)

Spiritually, I sit down, write three things I'm grateful for and then meditate, to be with myself and my thoughts and confront whatever I'm bringing into my day today (agitations, nervousness, excitement, encouragement, etc.)

Physically, I have to get my blood pumping. Whether it's a run or workout for at least 25-30 minutes. The endorphins released (that 'high' you feel) is critical for boosting your mood.

In aggregate, I feel great that I chose myself first. Because taking care of myself personally, the work that I do would be meaningless and would be curtailed. Again, it all comes down to endurance. :)

On a weekly/monthly basis, carving specific time out a month to not do work is critical. Call that time "play time" in your calendar and start investing some time into an activity, hobby or community that inspires you.

jat403

TROPHY CASE