06/16/2025
I've taught, led and even been paid to provide basic sales process training to dozens of groups but I've never published a video about it... until now...
It always amazes me when companies don't understand why their biz dev efforts struggle- only for me to show them they aren't doing the basic, foundational things to set themselves up for success.
I have, quite literally, seen orgs double their sales revenue after nailing these fundamentals. And the best part- they are simple, easy to implement and scalable.
This is your crash course in building an effective, repeatable sales motion for your startup—even if you’ve never sold a thing before. Learn the fundamentals of tracking sales stages, using a CRM, and setting realistic sales goals that align with your business model.
Why Your Sales Process Is Failing and How to Fix It Fast!
This is your crash course in building a scalable, repeatable sales motion for your startup—even if you’ve never sold a thing before. Learn the fundamentals o...
05/20/2025
Think all AI startups are cooking up the next ChatGPT? Think again. Turns out, some of them are just serving yesterday’s algorithms with a shiny new "AI-powered" label slapped on top—like putting a spoiler on a minivan and calling it a racecar.
In this eye-opening (and slightly eyebrow-raising) breakdown, we spill the silicon tea on how some startups are wooing investors with flashy buzzwords while secretly running on tech that’s about as intelligent as a potato.
Meanwhile, real AI innovation is out there—quietly doing the work, training the models, and not just slapping "neural net" on a website or pitch deck.
Startup founders, angel investors, VCs, and anyone trying to navigate the wild west of tech in 2025: this one's for you.
Learn to sniff out the genuine machine learning magic from the marketing fairy dust. We'll show you how "AI-washing" is the fastest way to lose credibility—and how building solid tech (with or without the AI hype) is still the smartest play in the game.
Warning: May cause spontaneous head nodding and nervous side-eyes...
Full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/4kyH58pBNeI
Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/G1UtVWBrjTb
Artificial Intelligence or Artificially Inflated? Startups' Big Lie
Discover the shocking truth about AI startups that are misleading investors with artificial intelligence claims while operating on traditional algorithms. Te...
05/13/2025
Let's get real about "faking it till you make it" - is this age-old startup advice helping or hurting founders? Sure to make some people upset or at least- uncomfortable, Kellie Clark (KC) and I chat about how this common approach can flirt too closely with lying and often leads to awkward situations when reality catches up.
We explore what happens when founders feel pressured to have all the answers, the seemingly innocent yet painful consequences of overpromising on your product's capabilities, and how being refreshingly honest might actually be your differentiation.
We also look at what investors and mentors can do differently and how they are accidentally encouraging this behavior.
Full Youtube episode here: https://youtu.be/4kyH58pBNeI
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PaLIn7jnaGg9vkZQZHnJS?si=XUuYc9iUQDuNQW6HYK343g
The DARK Side of Fake It Till You Make It in Business!
An Acquired Taste- For Founders and Startups · Episode
05/02/2025
In this week's episode of This Has to Work, "Lawyers, Guns and Money," we dive deep into why top-tier legal and financial expertise isn't just a luxury—it's the lifeline your startup needs to thrive and why having the wrong lawyers and accountants can put you in serious trouble.
Consider this your founder "leg-day" - you may not be looking forward to it but you also don't want to be top-heavy in business or physique so get pumped and learn from the mistakes that Kellie Clark (KC) and I have made regarding poor legal and financial decisions.
Ok, so the "guns" part is more a shout out to the famous Warren Zevon song (look it up if you're under the age of 45). I had to wedge that reference in because Warren's stuff slaps.
So many poorly-mixed metaphors but I'm too deep now... don't skip "leg-day" and just watch the episode:
Lawyers, Guns and Money: Why Two of These are CRUCIAL for Business Success
In this essential episode titled "Lawyers, Guns and Money," we dive deep into why top-tier legal and financial expertise isn't just a luxury—it's the lifelin...
04/25/2025
In this episode of This Has to Work, Kellie Clark (KC) and I discuss if Venture Capitalists are as EVIL as Reddit would have you believe...
There is growing sentiment that bootstrapping might be superior to venture funding for modern startups. We dive into controversial venture capital practices that have led to founder disillusionment, while exploring the unrealistic expectations many entrepreneurs bring to fundraising relationships.
The conversation uncovers why the pendulum is swinging toward self-funding and organic growth strategies as founders seek more control and sustainable business models in today's competitive startup ecosystem.
The discussion doesn't stop at criticism, however, as we outline a blueprint for healthier founder-investor dynamics that benefit both parties-understanding the true value of strategic capital beyond just money.
Bonus- find out which subreddits Kellie and Matt spend entirely too much time scrolling...
Are Venture Capitalists EVIL or Just Misunderstood?
In this provocative episode of "Are Venture Capitalists EVIL or Just Misunderstood?", we examine the growing sentiment that bootstrapping might be superior t...
04/21/2025
In this episode of This Has To Work, Kellie Clark (KC) and I grab the third rail with both hands and dive deep into the controversial new Trump tariffs and their potential impact on startups and small businesses. We've heard all about the macro-economics and global trade implication but how will this impact your startup or small business?
We break down how tariffs actually work, the hidden costs they impose on founders, and practical strategies to shield your business from these economic headwinds.
No political ideology here- just the economic facts...
How Tariffs Could Crush Your Startup
In this critical episode of our channel, we dive deep into the controversial new Trump tariffs and their potential devastating impact on startups and small b...
02/17/2025
Will Trump’s policies make or break your startup in 2025? 🚀 In this video, "How Trump Policies Will HELP or HURT Your Startup in 2025," we analyze the potential impact of key policy changes on startups, small businesses, and investors. Whether you're a startup founder, entrepreneur, or investor, understanding these shifts is crucial for making informed decisions and staying ahead of the competition.
We dive into how Trump's proposed and potential policies including tariffs, immigration, deportation, artificial intelligence and DE&I Will these policies be good for you or make your life miserable? Get data-driven insights on these and other policies that will directly impact your startup.
How Trump Policies Will HELP or HURT Your Business in 2025
Will Trump’s policies make or break your startup in 2025? 🚀 In this video, "How Trump Policies Will HELP or HURT Your Startup in 2025," we analyze the poten...
01/22/2025
Full episode: https://youtu.be/c8YRr7ZahIU
AAT: Do You Have the GRIT to be a Successful Founder?
AAT: Do You Have the GRIT to be a Successful Founder?
Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success with our latest video: "Do You Have the Grit to Be a Successful Founder?" In the fast-paced world of startups, ...
05/21/2024
Just like a stool needs at least three legs to be, well, a stool... Your innovation culture needs these three "legs" as well. Check out this episode as we cover how to build a scalable and stable innovation cycle in your organization.
The Stool of Innovation: An Acquired Taste Ep. 16
The Stool of Innovation: An Acquired Taste Ep. 16
Just like a stool needs at least three legs to be, well, a stool... Your innovation culture needs these three "legs" as well. Listen in for how to build a sc...
05/16/2024
No one cares… work harder
05/14/2024
Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. So why are we still using resumes to judge talent?
In this episode, we talk about focusing on a person’s key behavioral attributes and how that approach attracts talent that is more likely to be successful.
Behavior is More Important than Experience When Hiring for your Startup: An Acquired Taste Ep. 15
https://youtu.be/i3-suePm-Ao?si=echgeX8vVWmO1VFj
Behavior is More Important than Experience When Hiring for your Startup: AAT Ep 15
Past behavior is the best predictor of future performance. So why are we still using resumes to judge talent? In this episode, we talk about focusing on a pe...