Working as a Product leader in a start-up comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Through my experience, I've learned some valuable lessons that I would like to share.
During the interview process, it's essential to assess the chemistry between the founders. Do they enjoy working together? Do they complement each other? Can they handle stress? These are critical questions to ask. The founders' compatibility affects the overall success of the start-up.
Understand and be critical towards the key performance indicators (KPI) and trends of the start-up before joining. Sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) if necessary, but be cautious about joining a start-up with unfavorable unit economics. It's challenging to catch a falling knife, and options/warrants don't matter if the unit economics are trending downwards.
In a start-up, you may find yourself doing the same job as a VP of Product or a Product Manager. Don't let the title limit your potential. Embrace the hands-on approach as an opportunity to learn and grow.
As a Product leader in a start-up, you need to be positive, take the lead, and make the product work. Don't compromise your well-being or fall into the trap of stress. Stress is a sign of bad focus, so fix it with a good strategy.