Dr. Tony Ratliff discusses lessons learned from his experience with failed startups and now advising startups. He notes the importance of pursuing a passion, failing is part of learning as long as the same mistakes aren't repeated, and that social skills are often more important than technical skills. Ratliff recommends focusing on being honest, helpful, listening more than talking, and avoiding being rude when interacting with others.

1. Lean Methodology
Dr. Tony Ratliff
@drtonyratliff
drtonyratliff@yahoo.com
“From Idea to
Finding Investors”

2. Brief Background
• Lean and Mean Dentistry in 1994
• Multiple Failed Startups
• Joined Gravity Ventures, Verge, Lean
Startup Meetup and the Speakeasy
• Lecturing on Lean Startup @ Purdue
• Started MissionKonnect in 2013

3. A Few Lessons Learned

4. “Failing is Learning as long as you don’t
keep repeating the same mistakes.”

5. “Do something that you are really
Passionate about. If not, find something
else to do.”

6. Research shows that the happiest
people aren’t lying on a beach
somewhere. Instead, they are
happiest when they are caught up in
something challenging, using their
gifts.

7. “Limit the time you spend with Stupid
People, or you might become Stupid too.”

8. “Social skills are more
important than technical
skills….most of the time.”

9. 4 Key Social Skills
Be Honest.
Be Helpful to Others.
Listen more, talk less.
Don’t be a Dick.

10. “Start-ups are like
roller coaster with

11. “Being an Angel
Investor is like
being a Life
Guard at the
swimming pool.”
-Tony Ratliff

12. Dr. Tony Ratliff
@drtonyratliff