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Discussion on: I'm Charity Majors, Ask Me Anything! [FINISHED]

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jess profile image
Jess Lee

Ha! Is there anything you like about being CEO?

I read your interview with Business Insider where you mentioned how smooth the fundraising process went for honeycomb. What's your advice for folks that aren't quite as connected but are trying to raise?

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mipsytipsy profile image
Charity Majors

I believe in what we're building, like a lot. That makes it worth it to me. There is very little about the job that I find rewarding or interesting on a day-by-day basis, and I'm still petrified about being relegated to PM roles after this -- what if nobody will ever hire me as an engineer again??? My 3 am self is in agony over this.

It was smooth this time because I have a COO who has been a VC and done startups before. It was not that smooth when I was trying to do this on my own. Moral of the story: admire business people and don't talk down to them, so the good ones flock to you. I think that's the moral of the story anyway.

My advice to anyone with fundraising questions is always, "talk to Ginsu". 😵 Dear god what a lifesaver good business people are.

Beyond that ... think big, pitch big, tell a story. I have to try very hard not to use my normal sardonic self-deprecating sense of humor around investors. Things that I think are fucking hilarious and realistic, they read as lack of ambition. Sigh.