AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

When I started my career, I took opportunities that were in front of me, which led me to discover my passion for consumer psychology.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

As a brand manager, my job was to understand consumer behavior by observing how they interacted with products in their homes.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I realized the importance of talking to users and seeing their problems in real life, not just taking their words at face value.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I learned that surveys can be limiting because people often can't articulate their problems due to emotions like shame or embarrassment.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

Even though I had a traditional career path, my choices have been driven by a desire to solve compelling human problems.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

When you become a parent, your perspective on how you spend your time changes significantly.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

It's crucial to have honest conversations about career decisions when managing dual working spouses.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

Communication is key; people often avoid hard conversations that could prevent misunderstandings.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

There's never a perfect time to start a family or a business; you just have to figure it out as you go.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I learned that the only real validation for a business idea is whether people are willing to pay for it, not just say they like it.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

After my first startup failed, I started talking to parents to understand their biggest challenges, which led me to childcare.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I realized that what parents really need is a sense of community or 'village' to support them in childcare.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I hypothesized that a village could be created through technology, using a vetting mechanism and matching algorithm for caregivers.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I decided to pursue my startup idea because it kept gaining momentum, despite the challenges I faced. I set up my startup as a four-week test to validate my idea without high expectations.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

The key to my startup's success was consistent growth, where users were pulling me to provide more services instead of me pushing them to try my product.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

I believe that underrepresented founders face unique challenges, and it's crucial to focus on growth to prove you deserve funding.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

If you don't have four weeks to dedicate to a project, you likely have more time than you think; it's about prioritizing and focusing on what matters.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

Starting a startup is a long-term commitment, often requiring five to ten years of dedication to the mission.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

The most successful founders often have a high batting average, meaning they try many ideas and learn from failures without being precious about them.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

To measure product-market fit, look for retention; if users keep coming back, you're solving their problems effectively.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

Building a startup is about solving real problems for users, making it indispensable in their lives, similar to how Uber and Airbnb transformed their industries.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

As a founder and parent, it's essential to establish clear boundaries and routines to balance work and family life effectively.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

Having regular family dinners is important for maintaining connections and ensuring that family time is prioritized amidst busy schedules.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

It's important for aspiring founders to embrace the messiness of starting a business and not let perfectionism hold them back.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

For female founders, the most important step is to start, regardless of the obstacles; taking big swings is crucial for success.

AP

Avni Patel Thompson

03/03/18

@ Y Combinator

If you're going to pursue a startup, aim for something big and impactful, rather than settling for a smaller venture.

The Number One Goal is Getting Started - Avni Patel Thompson of Poppy

Takeaways