Please leave a message after the beep

Seriously. So this is not a “I’m super important” and “so many people call me” entry, even if both of those statements may be true (I also may be Batman) – it is however a “don’t do this or I won’t respond” entry.

We’ve gained some steam after 3 years of back-breaking hard work. There is a tremendously long ways to go, but we’re proud (NOT complacent) of where we are and who we are. With a little success comes a lot of calls and emails. I’d like to address the calls. As far as email goes, I do my best to answer every single one, even if it’s a marketer or salesperson pitching me on ownership of a star in the Andromeda Galaxy. After all, everyone is just trying to do their job (and inherently wants something). I respect it. But I digress.

Phone calls. Short rule. Leave a frigging message if I don’t know you or the number you’re calling from. I’ve been getting calls from a bunch of different numbers steadily increasing over the past couple of years. These numbers are ones that I do not know. Some leave messages, which is great. Now I know who you are and what you want.

But some don’t.

I’m not answering numbers that I don’t know. I never really have, personally or professionally. Unless I’m certain it’s probably coming from a place or person I know, then I use a little tool called voicemail to figure out if I’d like to speak with you at any given moment. I’m busy. You’re busy (I assume, given that self-importance and inflation of self-worth is generally universal). I make judgement calls when I’m juggling 85 things and sometimes need to prioritize (all the time). Either way, even if you think you’ve tricked me by not leaving a voicemail a bunch of times in the past and for some reason I happen to answer in a moment of weakness/sheer lunacy next time, guess what? You’re still selling me on something, or whatever, and I’m still going to screen it when I answer as I let you talk for 5 seconds. Cool thing about the phone, it has an “end” button right next to the “send” one. Click. Peace. Your number is forever dogshit now.

In fact, incessant calling from random numbers without leaving messages will typically be counterproductive. It will make me form an allergic response to your numbers showing up and by proxy an anaphylactic one to you in general. I like having a clear, unobstructed windpipe, so you do the math.

So along those lines do me a favor. Leave a message. Please. I promise to play nice if you do – even if it’s a “no thanks.” I’ll answer the next time.

Look Ma we’re famous…

This falls under the bells and whistles category mentioned before. Pretty bells and symphonic whistles from Steve Urbon at The Standard Times (a huge subscriber base, owned by the Globe Group). But…..must…remain…focused. Onwards and upwards. Cool stuff. Have a read if you get a moment.

This has been flying around the ecosystem…for good reason – Ben Horowitz provides therapy to CEOs in this post

Amazing short on startup, growth and through-acquisition CEO life and an intimate portrait relevant to all executives…and friends and family that love (put up with) them. It’s really, really salient and well done. Take a look if you have a moment.

Are we booming or are we bubbling?

Ben Horowitz takes on a much opined topic. He says we’re in a boom now, and has the most rational and fact-based argument I’ve seen thus far (there are scores of them out there). Ben continues to be one of those guys that you should listen to, and listen well when he speaks. He has been there, he has done that and he’s still on the forefront/in the mix in a big way. A16Z is heads and tails one of the best VC firms out there in my opinion. They no’ed us a while ago but I still chase them around here and there…I’ll get to you guys yet Ben.

We were named Microsoft Bizspark Startup of the Day today

Kind of cool.

Abby Fitchner, the Hackerchick extraordinaire and a friend of ours gave a little love.

We were overwhelmed with support and congrats, and not a few requests for meetings. Amazing that we’re 1/360+ companies chosen and it still gets that kind of heat. It’s a really special time out here.

Just in case anyone was wondering, this is nice, and we love it – but it goes in the bells and whistles category. I mean that unless it’s a reference from a customer, faster load time data on our servers or an amazing breakthrough on MUSE (our product), then it’s not top priority. We’re in this to prove our theory and relevance, along with our ability to shake shit up. We literally cannot be stopped. It will ALWAYS be all about the product, all about the science, and all about the people who pay us to do what we love (what a deal no?).

And now I’ll go ahead and stumble off of my pulpit. I’m tired. Word. Up.

This is so cool – about Larry Page, the new CEO of Google

It reads like a Harry Potter novel, complete with wizardry and notions of magic. It also digs in and let’s you know what you may be able to expect from the co-founder of Google turned CEO. He’s an amazing guy. I’m interested to see what tracks he puts the GOOG train on, if he uses tracks at all. Wild.

Vinod Kholsa called this “the first good paper I’ve read”

And he sent it out to his VPs. It’s a fascinating delve into the mind of an entrepreneur steeped in research. An oldie but greatie (superlative of ‘goodie’ that I am forced to use to show it’s relative superiority to what’s out there) – written by a current chair of the Darden School.

This interview on raising VC stands out to me for some reason

From the CEO of Kabbage. Didn’t know the company, but it was sent to me by Rick Darer (former CFO of Unica, Gomez…sits on our Board). Good read, straight to the point, and unashamed/frank. Take a look.

Oldie but goodie – Paul Graham on “How Not to Die” as a company

This was a speech he gave his Y Combinator companies back in 2007 or so. It’s one that I’ve read a couple of times over the years and wasn’t sure if I had posted it or not. In any case, here it is. It essentially spells out how to get rich by persevering. There have been a lot of articles that speak to “perseverance” and how 99% of startups go away not because of market conditions or product fit, rather the founders just can’t do it any more and quit. This is a little self-evident in my opinion. Of course the companies go away because the founders give up – maybe they give up because they don’t have fit, etc..

However the point remains that those with intestinal fortitude and perhaps a slightly masochistic nature with a super high tolerance for stress, uncertainty, nausea, insomnia and pain make up the preponderance of successful entrepreneurs. Oh yeah, and it’s fun too and stuff.

I can’t resist any longer. Charlie Sheen has finally gotten to me.

I held off as long as I could – but now I must relent. His soundbytes are gold. Pure gold. Click on the talking SheenHead and have at it.

“Most of the time- and this includes naps- I’m an F-18.”

You and I both Chuck, you and I both.