The setting: A "Technology Meetup" in Boulder, where six entrepreneurs get 10 minutes each to pitch their products and get feedback from fellow tech geeks, entrepreneurs, angel investors and VCs. Every now and then I look to leave the ivory tower and find out what's happening in the real world when entrepreneurs try to finance new ventures. The focus is on product feedback, not finance, although about one in three questions was about monetization/business model. I arrive at 6 pm, coming straight from class where, as is my custom, I had worn a suit and tie.
There were about 80 people in attendance. Only three women (an interesting demographic observation that I'll write about in a different post.) I was the only person -- the only one -- wearing a tie.
Me: Hi, I'm Victor Fleischer.
Entrepreneur: [John Smith.] Good to meet you. I'm the CEO of [startup.com]. I'm presenting tonight on our new product. It protects your on-line photos.
He pauses as he looks at my tie, my usual Brooks Brothers number.
Entrepreneur (looking confused): Do you work in marketing?
Ouch. That's like getting asked if you're a used car salesman. I guess I looked a little slick for Boulder, where a worn-out fleece is the usual uniform.
The meeting, by the way, was fascinating. My favorite pitch was me.dium.
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1. Posted by Kate Litvak on November 8, 2006 @ 22:04 | Permalink
I New York, the right answer would have been, “No, I don’t work in marketing. I am a doorman on duty”.
2. Posted by Gordon Smith on November 9, 2006 @ 7:32 | Permalink
So the question, Vic, is whether you change your usual attire for the next Technology Meetup? I always take off the tie before I go to those things, but then I look like everyone else.
3. Posted by Vic on November 9, 2006 @ 9:36 | Permalink
Even without the tie I'd be a long way from the Boulder entrepreneur dress code. I sometimes wear a coat and no tie, which at least approximates the VC uniform. But I think I'd get denied tenure if I taught my classes dressed like Lance Armstrong, which is hardly unusual for Boulder entrepreneurs.
4. Posted by Michael Guttentag on November 9, 2006 @ 12:25 | Permalink
Vic,
I think you are a bit harsh on the marketing folks. In legal academic circles, marketing may not (yet?) be viewed as front and center, but in the start up world marketing can be a crucial part of the team, depending on the business model. Keep that tie on - it may lead to some interesting opportunites.
5. Posted by Osman on November 10, 2006 @ 16:33 | Permalink
I saw your tie at the meetup, and can confirm you had the only one. It was a nice shade of blue, by the way.
p.s. After seeing you, I actually thought about wearing a tie to your class. I compromised with my "professor jacket", sans tie and blue jeans.
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