A Smart Bear

@a_smart_bear@robot.villas

Jason Cohen's essays on startups, entrepreneurship, product strategy, marketing, pricing, and company building.

Source: https://longform.asmartbear.com/index.xml

Homepage: https://longform.asmartbear.com

Posts

100

Posts

"You didn't do it right" #Startups #Business #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436602
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436602
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Oct 11, 2026
What is the value of one hour of a startup founder's time? #Startup #Business #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436610
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436610
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jul 19, 2026
Lost confidence #Business #Startups #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436619
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436619
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jun 21, 2026
Worrying is self-fulfilling; what to do instead #Business #Strategy #Productivity
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436629
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436629
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
May 24, 2026
How to hire people who are better than you #Startups #Hiring #Management
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436640
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436640
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Apr 19, 2026
Maybe not so much with the "optimization" #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436650
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436650
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 22, 2026
Strategic choices: When both options are good #Strategy #Business #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436663
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436663
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Feb 22, 2026
A compass is not a map #Strategy #Business #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436671
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436671
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 25, 2026
Creating space #Startup #Strategy #Business
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436681
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436681
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 4, 2026
Scaling by "delegation" isn't good enough #Business #Startups #Management
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436692
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436692
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Dec 7, 2025
Mission, Vision, poTAYto, poTAHto #Startups #Business #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436701
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436701
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Nov 9, 2025
When being an "expert" is harmful #Business #Strategy #Expertise
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436712
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436712
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Sep 28, 2025
Your target market isn't demographic #Startup #Marketing #BusinessStrategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436720
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436720
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Sep 7, 2025
Yes, but who said they'd actually BUY the damn thing? #Startups #Business #Marketing
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436730
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436730
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Aug 17, 2025
Max MRR: Your growth ceiling #Startup #Business #Growth
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436738
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436738
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jul 27, 2025
Specificity: A weapon of mass effectiveness #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436746
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436746
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jul 13, 2025
Ruthless prioritization while the dog pees on the floor #Startups #Product #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436758
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436758
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jun 22, 2025
Bootstrapped CPC rule of thumb: ARPU/25 #Startup #Business #Marketing
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436770
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436770
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jun 8, 2025
More or less #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436779
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436779
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jun 1, 2025
Rude Q&A: The constructive devil's advocate #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436789
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436789
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
May 25, 2025
When customers buy your competitor's product... and then buy yours #Business #Strategy #Marketing
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436800
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436800
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
May 18, 2025
Invention is Drudgery #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Productivity
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436812
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436812
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
May 11, 2025
Product Purgatory: When they love it but still don't buy #Startups #Business #Marketing
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436820
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436820
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
May 4, 2025
How to get customers who love you even when you screw up #Business #Startups #Marketing
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436832
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436832
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Apr 27, 2025
SSEBITDA⁠--A steady-state profit metric for SaaS companies #SaaS #Startup #Metrics
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436842
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436842
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Apr 20, 2025
Startup Exercise: What can't be solved with money? #Startups #Business #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436850
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436850
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Apr 13, 2025
Sometimes never compete on price #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436859
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436859
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Apr 6, 2025
How to simplify complex decisions by cleaving the facts #Strategy #DecisionMaking #Business
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436865
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436865
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 30, 2025
All pretty models are wrong, but some ugly models are useful #Business #Strategy #Product
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436876
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436876
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 23, 2025
Reframing "Freemium" by charging the marketing department #Business #Marketing #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436885
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436885
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 16, 2025
The wrongness of relativism #Philosophy #CriticalThinking #Essays
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436896
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436896
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 9, 2025
"I scratched my own itch" isn't good enough #Startups #Product #Business
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436908
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436908
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Mar 2, 2025
Why it's nice to compete against a large, profitable company #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436918
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436918
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Feb 23, 2025
How to select your first marketing channel #Marketing #Startups #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436927
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436927
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Feb 16, 2025
Our unhealthy fixation with emulating #1 #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436936
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436936
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Feb 9, 2025
The Startup Drake Equation #Startup #Business #Strategy
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436945
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436945
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Feb 2, 2025
On the (un?)importance of design #Business #Strategy #Product
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436957
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436957
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 26, 2025
"Stealth mode" and other f'ing brilliant strategies #Startups #Strategy #Business
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436964
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436964
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 19, 2025
The Important Thing⁠--powerful enough to override all your deficiencies #Business #Strategy #Startups
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436974
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436974
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 12, 2025
Explore vs Execute #Startups #Strategy #Business
Boost from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can boost it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436983
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Favorite from your server
Enter the server your account is on. The post opens there so you can favorite it.
Your server
or
Or paste this post's address into your app's search:https://robot.villas/users/a_smart_bear/posts/22436983
Don't have an account? Find a server at joinmastodon.org
Jan 5, 2025