The Founder's Manifest (TFM) helps entrepreneurs develop founder competency-qualities and skills that a new founder must possess for product launch and startup operation. A product idea-no matter how good or great or unique or revolutionary-will not see a long life if its founder executes poorly. This book helps new founders avoid common missteps, develop competency, prepare well for their role and entrepreneurial journey, and increase their chances of success.
Brown University's Entrepreneurial Program awarded The Founder's Manifest (TFM) as prizes to its 2017 Business Plan Competition winners. Brown's Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship added TFM to its recommended Reading List.
The Founder's Manifest (TFM) is a must-read for aspiring founders of any age, race, gender, creed, background, or ability to learn. It's for anyone who contemplates starting his/her own business-whether profit or non-profit, whether it's a neighborhood shop owner, a service provider, a manufacturing firm, or a tech startup. This includes: a) seasoned professionals with deep expertise in their field but no experience in starting and running a new company; b) college / graduate students; and c) those who don't have time or money for entrepreneurial degree programs-professionals, working spouses, stay-at-home parents, single parents, veterans, and retirees.
About the Author: My-Tien Vo is a founder coach, startup consultant, and brand strategist who has collaborated closely with founders, co-founders and startup teams from diverse industries. They include construction, education, electrical, healthcare, hospitality, legal, nonprofit, professional services, real estate, retail, and technology. She has been immersed in the startup landscape since 1998-as founder, co-founder, product manager, brand strategist, content developer, writer, founder coach, team builder, crisis manager, e-commerce director, and researcher.
Her work with founders has led to many successful launches and also a share of stalled operations. As an integral member of many startup teams, Vo has had first-hand experience of what works and what doesn't work. She felt compelled to share her entrepreneurial insights after one of her startups failed-in spite of possessing many winning attributes. What began as an essay for her blog has evolved into The Founder's Manifest, the first guide to founder development.
Prior to embarking on her entrepreneurial path, Vo worked for an investment bank, an international management consulting firm, wireless service providers, and a family-owned business. Her corporate experiences proved a valuable asset to her startup endeavors. Vo earned a B.A. with Honors from Brown University and a M.A.L.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.