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Head *and* Heart
Measuring metrics misses the magic
Tim He
May 16, 2025
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Hey, I’m Tim! ☕
Every Mon and Fri, I help you become a top 1% cofounder.
Actionable advice: Practical tips you can start applying today.
Relatable stories: Real-life experiences from people just like you.
PS — If you really want to answer the unGoogleable questions, book time with me. I’ve coached dozens of pre-seed/seed stage cofounders.
Smart ≠ Great Cofounder
Cofoundership, like investing, isn’t a game where the 160 IQ always beats the 130.
If it were, I’d be cooked.
And like any sophisticated game, it begs the question: is it art or science?
Us strategy & growth folk like to say that “growth” is simply applying the scientific method to business metrics. Hypothesize, test, experiment, analyze.
We also measure our careers with numbers. YOE, number of direct reports, budgets, growth percentages, dollars raised, dollars earned, dollars spent.
But cofounders who over-index on numbers are at a severe disadvantage.
(You could say the same about investors).
What evaluation criteria you use to select cofounders or judge existing ones is subjective. Knowing how to interpret them is even more so.
That’s why the 160 doesn’t automatically beat the 130.
An inexperienced cofounder, for example, isn’t necessarily worse than an experienced one, and vice versa.
A cofounder can look good on one metric and bad on another.
This is frustrating.
But I think it’s worth figuring out. Because that’s what makes cofoundership fun and interesting and exciting and unpredictable.
Cofoundership is a game of storytelling.
And storytelling is both art and science. Head and heart.
I think the best cofounders tend to tell the best stories. About themselves and about each other. And by extension, about their company.
I suspect that’s why #buildinpublic hits so hard.
Kobe used to spend five hours breaking down a single game. Frame by frame. Play by play. Fascinating interview excerpt → here.
He knew that watching others was one of the best ways to level up.
We have something even better to offer:
A cofounder community where you can not only watch each other, but connect, chat, and collaborate. 67 members signed up so far.
Build together.
Join the waitlist → here.
That’s all for now,
Tim He
BTW — Grab yourself some dumbfound coffee. Our grind fuels yours.
Work With Me
Coaching — I take 6-9 clients per month. Can be individual or as a cofounding team. Starts at $500/month and includes 2 one-hour calls plus ad hoc support.
Workshops — Designed for accelerators, incubators, and venture studios. Learn the fundamentals of building a solid cofoundership from Day 1.
Legal Help — Get a $500 incorporation package or an all-inclusive fundraising prep package (includes data room audit), depending on your stage.
Case Study — A published breakdown of your cofoundership. Great for product launches, fundraising credibility, and even visa applications.
Speaking — Now booking engagements for 2025. Perfect for VCs, unis, and podcasts. Webinars and in-person available.
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