Building a Startup That Loves You Back

Building a Startup That Loves You Back

Author: Startups.com May 19, 2025 Duration: 31:12

Ryan and Will delve into the complexities of maintaining a healthy relationship with your startup. They discuss their personal experiences and challenges in balancing the demands of a startup with personal well-being. Will shares an incredulous story about a friend enjoying a Tuesday afternoon in the pool, leading to a broader discussion on the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing the signs of burnout. The hosts emphasize the need for self-awareness, prioritizing personal values, and finding joy in the journey, not just the destination. They also touch on the benefits of giving team members autonomy and creating a supportive, non-toxic work culture.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast 
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders 
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:
00:32 The Pool Story: A Lesson in Work-Life Balance
02:08 The Toxic Relationship with Work
03:11 Startup Therapy: The Podcast's Origin
08:15 Balancing Work and Family
13:17 Non-Negotiables and Personal Values
14:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
15:35 Mitigating Guilt Through Productivity
17:29 The Elusive Goal of Profit
19:21 Emotional ROI in Startups
21:57 Autonomy and Company Culture
24:50 Balancing Safety and Happiness
28:26 Avoiding the Trap of Obligations
29:40 Creating a Non-Abusive Startup Relationship
30:50 Join the Startups.com Community


Building a company is far more chaotic and personal than any business school case study lets on. Startup Therapy from Startups.com digs into that reality, moving past polished success stories to focus on the raw, unvarnished journey. Hosts Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan, who have each navigated these trenches themselves, lead conversations that feel more like essential conversations between founders than a standard interview show. They tackle the specific pressures that come with trying to transform an idea into something meaningful-the financial strain, the team dynamics, the personal sacrifices, and the frequent moments of doubt that rarely make the keynote speech. This podcast operates on a simple premise: the best guidance comes from those who have been there, not from abstract theory. Each episode is a candid session, dissecting the professional hurdles and the intense emotional toll that founders manage daily. You’ll hear direct talk about fundraising fails, partnership conflicts, burnout, and the small victories that keep everything moving forward. It’s a resource for anyone in the thick of building something, offering practical perspectives and a sense of shared experience when the path gets especially tough. The dialogue is straightforward and focused on actionable insight, providing a genuine look at the resilience required to change the world, one startup at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Startup Therapy
Podcast Episodes
Was Mortgaging My Life Worth it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, hosts Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter delve into the sacrifices that come with building startup companies. They explore the dangerous ambiguity of not having specific goals an…
What's my Startup Worth in an Acquisition? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:35
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Startups.com founder Will Schroter discuss the unrealistic expectations that many startup founders have when it comes to selling their business. They detail…
Is my AMBITION my ENEMY? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:05
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss the often overlooked costs of ambition in the startup world. They explore how ambition, while necessary for building innovative compani…
Are Startups in a "Silent Recession"? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
In this episode we discuss the current state of the startup ecosystem, which they describe as a 'silent recession.' Despite economic indicators suggesting otherwise, many startup founders are struggling with reduced capi…
Do Founders Deserve Their Profit? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan and Will Schroeder navigate the complexities founders face regarding success and societal scrutiny. They delve into the common critiques founders encounter about…
The Utter STUPIDITY of "Risking it All" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:31
In this episode we discuss the myth of the 'bet it all' startup mentality. They highlight the importance of downside risk planning and how successful risk management plays a crucial role in startup successSign up for the…
Why Most Founders Don't Get Rich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:02
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, we discuss the common struggles of making money in the startup world. They explore the 'noble' but flawed narrative that founders shouldn't pay themselves, why aiming too b…
Investors will be Obsolete, The End of Venture Capital [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:10
In this episode, we discuss the potential obsolescence of venture capital due to advancements in AI technology. We explore how reduced startup costs and increased efficiency might reshape the future of funding in the sta…
Why is a Founder so HARD to replace? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:16
The Irreplaceable Founder. Ryan Rutan and Will Schroter discuss the irreplaceable role of founders in startups. They explore why removing a founder often leads to failure, the unique value and vision founders bring, and…
We Can't Grow by Saying "No" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:06
In this episode of the Startup Therapy Podcast, Ryan Rutan (CMO at Startups.com) and Wil Schroter (CEO at Startups.com) discuss the importance of saying yes to growth opportunities that startups have not previously tried…