Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 2/5

Abel: In early startup stages, the founder is the product

Jen Abel · The ultimate guide to founder-led sales | Jen Abel (co-founder of JJELLYFISH) · Nov 24, 2024 · at 3:50

Jen Abel, co-founder of JJELLYFISH, explains why early-stage B2B founders must lead sales personally rather than delegating sales early.

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“And founder led sales is really, really, really important because in the very, very, very early days, when there is no brand equity, when there is no marketing engine running, when there is limited to no reference ability, the founder is the product, right? Because the product is still, could be abstract, could be, you know, an MVP or really, really early, you know and it's really early formation. So the founder is the product.”

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