One vendor decision can make or break momentum. That might sound dramatic, but if you’re building at an early stage, you know it’s not. Early-stage startups are underdogs by default. You’re small. Resource-constrained. Challenging companies that are far more comfortable than you are. With limited time and
The only B+ I ever got in graduate school came from a class where 1/3 of the grade was based on participation. As an international student new to the U.S., I had no idea what my classmates were talking about: Super Bowl ads, celebrity gossip, cultural references that
Vibe coding is supposed to make everything easier. Faster prototypes. Fewer dependencies. Instant momentum. And in some ways, it does. The first time I dropped a product prompt into a vibe coding tool and watched a working homepage appear, it felt like magic. But here’s the trap no one
I started my career in power tools and accessories. Yes, drills and torque specs. It was a world dominated by men, where leadership had a certain look, a certain sound, a certain swagger. The women who rose to the top in that environment? They were sharp, respected, and often the
One year ago, I had no idea what a Chief of Staff actually did. I was starting my first CoS role, armed with a few crash courses and a lot of curiosity, but most of the learning happened in real time, in the middle of the work. Up until then,
Before I jointed Startups, before I became a mom, before I found my voice in rooms I once felt lucky just to be in — I was just someone trying to stay in the U.S.. Quietly, carefully, anxiously. This is the story behind all the other stories I’ve shared.
For over a decade, I was trained in the art of long-term planning—in a general management capacity that spanned strategy, operations, and full P&L ownership. Annual planning cycles. Three-to-five-year product roadmaps. Monthly business reviews. I started in a Fortune 500 company, then moved to a Mid-Market enterprise,
If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together with dry shampoo and emotional duct tape—this one is for you. Especially for working moms who are doing their best. Hi, I’m Jing. I’m a Chief of Staff at a fast-moving Startup, a mom of
Picture this: a conference room in downtown Austin buzzing with 200 Startups operators—CFOs, COOs, VPs, Directors from scrappy pre-seed teams to scale-up juggernauts. Caffeine-fueled. Slide decks optional. No “thoughtfluencer fluff,” just real talk on what’s working—and what’s evolving—when it comes to running lean, high-functioning startups
Episode 1 : Plug. App. Boom. Welcome to Enter HomeAware, a behind-the-scenes series about what it really takes to challenge the Home Security status quo. As Chief of Staff, I have the privilege (and front-row seat) to almost every corner of this company—product pivots, leadership dynamics, go-to-market pressure, and the
Have you ever felt caught between two voices in your head — especially when thinking about your career? * One telling you to stay safe, stick to what you know. * The other whispering you're meant for something more — even if you don't feel ready yet. If you'
This week, our team did an escape room together. One hour. One locked room. One goal: get out. Five minutes in, I had a moment. I looked around—chaos unfolding, clues flying, people shouting theories—and it hit me: “This isn’t just like startup life. It is startup life.