Building The Machine #9: Early Stage Advisor Equity
I have been thinking about advisor equity for about 10 years. In 2016 I wrote a blog post I have been reference since, and recently updated my thinking - as always aloud - to update my framework.
I asked DALLE2 what “Advisor Helping a Startup” would look like and this was the output…
On My Mind
I have been thinking a lot about routines and habits, and one of the ones I have been exploring is Morning Pages. Essentially you just conduct some “free writing” for a period of time - either 3 pages or approx. 1500 words by starting to write free hand or typing and don’t stop until you are done. The exercise itself is meant to clear your mind. Some of the thinking was explained to me as similar to that of a garden hose or old pipe that has to have water running for a bit to get out all the “muck” and “mud” and “old water” in order to get the good stuff flowing freely again. I really like this analogue because its a brain warmup.
Tools I use
Thermowatch - a ridiculously simply but infinitely helpful controller for my Google Nest thermostats. It is a app for watch, phone, and mac desktop that is 10X better and easier than anything Google has come up with. This is the view for the Mac Desktop version and at a click you can control and send commands to the thermostats in your home.
What I am Reading
The Macguffin of the magic money machine - a deep dive into the SBF and FTX story from Epsilon Theory worth a read
A heartwarming story about a paralyzed athlete who used mushrooms to potentially aid in his recovery of movement
Making Layoffs Less Painful this post by Ed Batista (another coach!) was really great.
What I am Writing
Early Stage Advisor Equity Grants - A comprehensive guide to early stage equity for advisors. This post is a labor of love that is probably 10 years in the making. In it I go into questions you should ask potential advisors, and potential startups you work with. I outline scenarios for how to start being an advisor. I also delve into what I think a advisor should get in the form of equity, and even try to model out the outcomes. I am proud of this one and excited to use it in the real world.
Celebrate your wins
This section is dedicated to those that ship. Have a win? Reply and be included!
My friend Richie Bonilla shipped Quests last week! I am a biased investor in his company, but this is a win worth celebrating.
I completed many days of morning pages! (hey I can celebrate too right)
Daniel Vassallo celebrated $70K+ earnings on black friday!