This presentation includes the lessons learned during over our first year of running MarsBased. Failure, client management, sales, decision taking, team... a launch your business NOW 101 for entrepreneurs.

1. MarsBased
Lessons learned

2. Hola hola!
I’m @lexrodba
Remember to say ‘hi’!

3. We are
MarsBased
We are a software
development shop with
startup DNA

4. Company culture
• Remote working.
• High specialisation.
• Transparency.
• Quality over quantity.
• Simpler is better.
• Work local, think global.

5. very company culture
such working
much meme
wow
many engagement

6. Failed projects
Moviment.cat
Woliva
Cookin.me

7. Reasons to fail
• We were not 100% committed to it.
• We didn’t know the customers.
• Too many dependencies & unknowns.

8. We found we knew how to make apps

9. Pivoting
• September 2013: Defined company culture.
• January 2014: Turned into a dev shop.
• March 2013: Rebranded.

10. The best time to
launch is
YESTERDAY

11. What you need
• Will to work
• Something that feeds you
• A computer + internet
• Optional: a co-founder

12. Rallying the troops
• Unaligned -> Set priorities
• Uncommitted -> Set goals
• Unresponsive -> Set rules

13. Team
• Want a team? Try this:
• Developer
• Sales
• MFIC
Sell MVP while it’s being built
Bootstrap FTW

14. Sales from day one
• Kick your sales guy out of the cave…
• … and lock him out (feed him from time to time).
• Events, cold email, LinkedIn…

15. Must have
• Business cards
• Elevator pitch
• Dress accordingly
Nice to have
• Evangelists
• Good content
• A website

16. Talk to me, babe
• Ideas are worth 0$
• No one will steal your idea
• People will give you feedback

17. Think big
• Actually, not that big: MVP
• Global or local? Get advise
• Expect the worst, prepare for the best

18. NEVER TRUST
• Always with contract.
• No favours on day one.
• Avoid these words: partnership, strategic/
investment project, synergies.

19. Focus
• Don’t multitask.
• The more hats, the less credibility.
• Focus drives the team together.
• Is X helping me succeed?
• Yes: Merge with current business.
• No: F*ck it!

20. Be your own company
• Corporate values.
• Communicate accordingly.
• Learn to say

21. What if you fail?
• Learn from that.
• Never give up.
• Share with others.

22. Have. Fucking. Fun.
And most of all, whatever you do