This document provides a summary of lessons learned over 14 months of pursuing a dream startup by Ali Mahlodji, co-founder and CEO of Whatchado. It discusses starting with just an idea in 1996, finally starting to plan in 2011, and launching in 2012. Key lessons included executing the vision with a team of "A players", understanding customers to develop a viable business model, building a network of trusted advisors, and celebrating successes along the way despite challenges. The summary emphasizes pursuing bold dreams through perseverance and hard work.

1. LESSONS
Learned
14 MONTH OF LIVING MY DREAM
everyone‘s got a
story
... and this is mine
Ali Mahlodji
Co-Founder & CEO, chief story teller
ali@whatchado.net
@mahlo
of course on Facebook
WWW.WHATCHADO.NET
founded 2.1.2012

2. PERSIAN GUY,
TIME PROBLEM
time15min

3. persians
who knows them?
HANDS UP!
quick intro

4. 1996 first a dream,
2011 started with a plan,
2012 then a startup
2013 now at Pioneers & HUB
FREAKIN‘ AWESOME!!
REALLY!!

6. 1996
what should I do?
© 2012

7. 8
Handbook of lifestories
* Wikipedia of career stories
* everyone should participate
* everyone‘s treated the same
* from people for people
WHY?
because no one ever asked you
“where do want to be born?
© 2012

8. 2002

9. 2004

10. 2008

11. 2009

12. 2010

13. the time has come
Internet
Video
global
& social

14. YEAH, let‘s do
it
2011
do you
remember that
idea?

15. 2011

16. You only got one shot,
do not miss your chance
to blow.
This opportunity comes
once in a lifetime.
Eminem “Loose yourself”
ORF (AUSTRIAS LARGEST TV CHANNEL) CALLED
“Go online before school ends”

17. 27.06.201122:00
17 videos, home made
logo was made by developer

18. 27.06.2011Midnight

19. 1st customer
3 weeks after GoLive

21. Übereinstimmung
100%
Bernd Blümel
Regionalverkaufsleiter

22. 23
© 2012

23. No sales team, just 2 persian guys telling
the STORY of their SOLUTION
Zusammen für besse

24. STORY!
PEOPLE (CUSTOMER) WANT THE
WHY!
PEOPLE WANT SOMETHING TO TELL
FUCK PROMOTING FEATURES FIRST

25. CELEBRATE
DREAM IT
DO IT
IDEA IS 1%
IT LIKE
EXECUTION 99%
THERE IS NO
TOMORROW
IF YOU DON‘T BELIEVE,
NO ONE WILL
IF YOU‘RE NOT READY TO FAIL
OR BLAME YOURSELF ... FORGET IT
DREAM BIG
AND THEN GO BACK TO WORK!
BIG
COJONES

27. 28
© 2012

28. 29
+1000
one-to-one talks
© 2012

29. MONEY
A.K.A. FOUNDATION
BABY, CAN YOU
PAY MY BILLS?
1999, DESTINY‘S CHILD
BILLS, BILLS, BILLS
NO BUSINESS PLAN = FORGET FLYING TO THE MOON
LEARN TO LOVE IT, BECAUSE YOU NEED IT
DON‘T THINK „VC VC VC“!! (LATER IT‘S OKAY)
UNDERSTAND WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT PAY FOR

30. STARTUP
WEEK2011October
T P
50

31. LEARN TO SAY
NO!
DON‘T DO THINGS BECAUSE OF THE WRONG REASON
THINK BIG, THINK LONG
TERM
SHOULDN‘T
BE REASON Nr. 1

32. 5200mMountEverest
October2011

33. LEARN TO SAY
YES!
WHEN IT‘S THE RIGHT TIME
& WHEN IT FITS YOUR PLANS
& WHEN IT MAKES SENSE
Network
USE THEM AS
A WEAPON
people you trust

34. Build YOUR A Team
HIRE A PLAYERS ... not new, but true
B stands for BELOW STANDARD
C stands for ... who is C?
FIND THE BEST PEOPLE
(WHO ARE ALL SMARTER THAN YOU)
AND UNDERSTAND WHAT
DRIVES THEM!
FIND FRIENDS
YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN WITH

35. +20 people
13 nations
12 languages
FIRST
ADULT

36. Never forget
where you come from
IT‘S THE DNA OF YOUR
SUCCESS
e.g.

37. thank you Pioneers,
thank you HUB

38. thank you & wake up!