28: Start Before Its Scalable

Somewhere along the way, founders were taught to ask “is this scalable?” before they ask whether something is worth making at all. In this episode, Kim pushes back on the pressure to build like a venture-backed startup. She unpacks the beliefs that keep smart, capable entrepreneurs stuck in planning mode, the growth advice that’s flattening good ideas, and why starting small and not as polished as you're capable of is the most strategic move you can make.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The beliefs entrepreneurs absorb that make them feel behind if they don’t have a scale plan

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  Why “build it bigger” advice is flattening good, human-centered ideas

   

• The fear hiding behind questions like: “Is this worth starting if it can’t grow?”

   

• How venture-style thinking has quietly become the default, even when it doesn’t align with most founders' goals

   

• What actually becomes possible when you stop designing for scale and start building for service

 

LINKS & MENTIONS

• "Great things start in little rooms" clip by André 3000
• Simon Sinek interviews Jeni Britton
• Brian Chesky on Masters of Scale: Do things that don't scale
• Kim's Website