Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan’s advice for startups: “When you’re small, act small” As a founder, avoid mimicking big companies. Your biggest advantage as a startup is your authenticity and personal touch. Instead of hiding behind corporate jargon, be real. Reach out to your customers directly: "Hey, I’m the CEO. How can I help?" That genuine connection is your superpower. Being small means you can provide exceptional customer support. It’s not just about solving problems—it’s about listening. Customers will tell you exactly what they need, helping you refine your product and find product/market fit. Garry Tan shares how his startup, Posterous, replied to every customer email within 10 minutes and fixed bugs immediately. This kind of care builds trust and retention. A simple act, like responding to a post, can increase retention by 10%—the difference between success and failure. Think of your startup like an amazing party. Welcome people. Listen to them. Build relationships. Be small. Be human. If you found this helpful then follow me for more startup insights from the best founders.
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