Ready to start a startup? | Shreyas Doshi (Former PM leader at Stripe, Twitter, Google)
Episode description
I'm joined by product leader turned founder Shreyas Doshi to discuss the founder's journey and when starting a company might be the right move for you. We challenge common startup wisdom and explore why traditional career advice often misses the mark for aspiring founders.
Key topics:
- Which PMs are secretly great founder material
- Red flags: when founding isn't for you
- The right time to start your company
- Key skills that set you up for success
- Thriving in ambiguity
- Debunking the "venture scale or bust" mindset
- The counterintuitive way to avoid burnout
- Much more
Referenced:
- 4 questions Shreyas wished he’d asked himself sooner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atS060bNpE0&t=698s
- Avoiding burnout for high achievers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Iwymgai-ZM
- Crafting a compelling career story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Reh9wTUIYc&t=928s
- Improving your product sense: https://maven.com/shreyas-doshi/product-sense
- Is my next job at a startup or big tech?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H59CRHQ6va0&t=2053s
- Managing your PM career in 2025 and beyond: https://maven.com/shreyas-doshi/product-management-career?utm_source=lenny
- Nikhyl’s career advice highlights at Lenny’s Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rujK7HvD6es&t=124s
- Stage of Company: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H59CRHQ6va0&t=2053s
Where to find Shreyas:
Where to find Nikhyl:
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Timestamps
(00:00) Teaser: Why average PMs can make great founders
(01:17) Introduction
(02:34) The essential first step before founding
(06:21) Successful founder traits
(10:48) Managing at scale vs managing uncertainty
(18:25) Thriving in ambiguity
(21:29) Red flags: when founding isn't for you
(23:34) The surprising link between average PMs and founding success
(25:51) Building better product sense
(29:35) The right time to start your company
(37:03) Beyond venture scale: rethinking startup success
(44:26) A guide to avoiding burnout
(49:23) The real truth about big tech working hours
(52:27) Why taking a "demotion" might be a good move
(58:45) Learn more: Shreyas' Product Sense course
(63:15) Key takeaways
(65:22) Get in touch with Nikhyl