About
Working for Wonka is about Startups
Startups can be exhilarating, fast paced, career-making adventures. They can also be mind-numbingly stressful, heart attack inducing, pressure cookers.
If you work in a startup, you know what I’m talking about.
And if you work in a startup, or you want to work in a startup, this blog is for you.
Working for Wonka will help you get a job in a startup, help you succeed in a job in a startup, and show you the signs you should run screaming from a job in a startup.
That's me. See! I still look sane.
Who Am I To Talk?
Glad you asked. I’m Kathy Ver Eecke, and I’ve worked for more entrepreneurs, launching more businesses and more brands than I can remember. I have the therapy bills to prove it.
Over the years I’ve worked for four entrepreneur bosses from the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies list, and one Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner.
I’ve worked for startups that went bankrupt, startups that went public and more than one entrepreneur that went postal.
I’ve worked for an entrepreneur who threw office furniture, and in an office where the furniture was repossessed. And that was just a typical Tuesday.
Then it hit me; it was Groundhogs Day. The names had changed, but the bizarre (and supremely uncorporate-like) behavior, temperaments and challenges of each entrepreneur boss, and each startup environment, was eerily familiar. There were patterns. Methods to the madness. Predictability hidden in the seemingly unique behavior.
Working for Wonka exposes those patterns.
Because the more you know, the better informed you are, the easier it will be for you to get that job, keep that job and know if it’s time for you to run screaming from that job in a startup.
Look Who Else is Talking
If You’re New Here
First time? Here are some of my favorite posts to get you started. Drop a note in the comment section of those posts and let me know if you agree with me, disagree with me, or just wanna say hi-ya. (People say that, right?)
For startup job seekers:
Why You Must Quit Now to Get a Job Later
What You Must Do to Get a Startup Job
Interviewing with a Startup? Most Important Thing to Know
Three to Get Ready – entrepreneurs give their top tips for getting the job
For startup employees:
5 Benefits to a Boss with No Experience
Inc. Magazine Says Your Boss Wants to Get High – 6 surprising facts about entrepreneurs
Startup Stockholm Syndrome – are you in over your head?
Entrepreneur Time – like the Matrix without the cool coats
Can’t get enough? Be a stalker: (I won’t mind)
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Connect with me on LinkedIn - Like the blog? Recommend it on LinkedIn. I’ll put you on my Christmas list. (Which really means nothing more than you’re on the list. I suck at sending cards.)
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(On another, less interesting–but I’m told legally imperative–note, here’s a fascinating Disclosure Policy for Working for Wonka.)
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-- STARTUP JOBS -- 5 ways to Get a Startup Job, 5 Ways to Keep it and 5 Signs You Should Run ScreamingNo Spam. We Promise. Featured On
Hmmm, so did they choose you or did you choose them?
I’m a magnet. For entrepreneurs and stray dogs. In some cases, it’s hard to tell them apart.
So, “admin”… who are you? This all seems to be a bit of a tease. You need to give a little more…
Hahahaha! Yes, oh there are so many types, and you hit it on the head that they really are all the same. loco and not so grounded.
And another thing, I understand the necessity of using ‘big name’ entrepreneurs, but I would suggest compiling several ‘small time’ entrepreneurs under the headings of the big ones…cause these people have some crazy quirks.
I have worked for many myself. The best, were the 3 founders of Snapple. They made everyone feel important from the mail room to the executives, but more importantly, they made sure we sold product…every day..not just basking in the glow of seeing their name in some trade publication or a press clipping. They judged their success by how many empty bottles of their product was in the trash outside the deli or at the bus stop…more people drank it!
Which leads me to descibe another classification of entrepreneur I worked for:
“The Emperor’s new clothes” guy..
- his idea is genuis, yet others dont see it the same way
- problems, including serious ones are remedied by a good fluffy press release and that fan club e-mail he gets; you know the one that some consumer told your neighbor that they liked your product..whew, financial crisis averted
- The only reality is in their own mind, example…we’ve opened up hundreds of new accounts just this week, neglecting to acknowledge you lost the ones you opened last week.
- There is no such thing as a legitimate negative reaction to your product…”they just don’t get it”
- They hire people with tons of experience in the industry, yet they feel obligated to tell you the “right way” to do things. So much for 20 years in the trenches
- Rome is burning, they have real problems so, let’s do a photo shoot for an innovation magazine that has a ciculation of 10 people who get it for free.
- “Hey, did you see everyone with our new product at that event..they loved it! (yeah, it was free, it was handed to them and someone snapped their photo before they could find a place to put it down)
Bob: you’re incredibly insightful, and your examples are DEAD on! I’ve heard rumor of these mythical good-entrepreneurs from Snapple. Kinda like unicorns for me.
Sometimes we have to take a look at life and simply laugh. Wwe are faced daily with the harsh realities of the world and the on-goign stresses of the work-place! I have been on both sides of the coin having worked in the corporate world for a decade and then opening my own business. When you own you company you have clients and people you must still answer to. Many I find need a prescription for Paxil, others a sheer delight to work with.
Having experienced a few of the character types: ie: over bearing female boss that treats other women like crap, male boss that wanted to sleep with me, over-demanding and unrealistic corporate climber who just wanted to shine at any cost including my departments overexhaustion and lastly, the slacker that did nothing except look busy but let everyone else do the work and take the credit.
Instead of leanign on alcohol at the end of a horrible day or going postal, i think it great to have a forum or site where employees can learn from others, vent and share experiences. Kudos on the site!
Sorry for the “typos.” As fate would have it, tried to write here while waiting for a demanding client that is ALWAYS 30 miniutes late and then just storms into my office as he JUST did. Have a great day!
The first paragraph you wrote -”having the therapy bills to prove it” – in reference to working for entrepreneurs – couldn’t have hit me any harder ( ; glad to know I’m not the only one!
Happy to hear that I’m not alone. Maybe we can get group discounts with the Doc!
Thanks for visiting.