Loading
Howard Love
  • Buy Now
  • Praise
  • Press
  • Tools
  • About
  • Blog
  • Speaking & Events
  • Contact Howard

SUBSCRIBE FOR START-UP HELP – Get Articles, Webinar Access & More!

GET ACCESS!

The Start-up J Curve

The Six Steps to Entrepreneurial Success

After founding or co-founding more than 15 start-ups and investing in another 50 as an angel investor, I came to understand that a startup unfolds in a predictable pattern.  The more aware entrepreneurs are of this pattern, the better able they will be to capitalize on it. I call this pattern the J Curve.

There are six stages to the curve and this book will help you focus on the specific tasks and goals that need to be accomplished for each stage. By nailing each stage, you save time and money and, more importantly, you greatly increase your chances of success.

I wrote The Start Up J Curve to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to get through the toughest times so they can reach the primary value creation that lies beyond.

BUY NOW
right

Get the book here

Book Praise

I’ve been lucky to collaborate with Howard as an investor, advisor and co-founder – he’s made me a better entrepreneur, and by reading this book, he’ll make you one too.

- Sam ShankCEO, HotelTonight

…This, quite simply, is the most impressive, actionable, and valuable business book I have read in a very long time. It’s extraordinary. I read it in a single sitting. I’m ordering copies for my partners and executives….This is a incredibly valuable resource and an invaluable read. Wow.

--Eric SinowayCEO, The Worth Group/Worth Magazine

Howard Love is a deeply experienced entrepreneur and early stage investor. This book is a culmination of many years of seeing successes and failures, what works and what doesn’t. I highly recommend this book to entrepreneurs who want to make their own unique mistakes, rather than repeating the mistakes of others.

- Bill EricsonGeneral Partner, MOHR DAVIDOW

The J Curve is a must-read for any entrepreneur, whether first-time or seasoned! Howard’s genius is that he understands and empathizes with the entrepreneurial experience—and how humbling it can be – while also giving insight into and support as to why the challenges are of crucial benefit to the process of building a truly successful company. Entrepreneurs can use Howard’s practical insights to better understand the realistic stages to expect in starting a company in a way that is demystifying and empowering, and quite honestly, provides an appreciated element of sanity to the often crazed entrepreneurial experience. Highly recommend!

- Sara Sutton-FellCEO, FLEXJOBS

The Start-Up J Curve will train you how to get through your early business challenges, and get to the fun terrain that is sustained business growth as soon as possible.

-- Inc. Magazine

As I begin another “pivot” in my own business, I find myself wishing that Howard had written this book years ago…when I began my own entrepreneurial journey. It would have been a tremendous roadmap and guide for the many twists and turns I faced. The J Curve is a must-read for any aspiring entrepreneur, yet I am confident that start-up vets like myself will also find many new insights as well. Howard presents a fresh and spot-on approach to understanding the growth stages, and do’s / don’t’s for each stage, of the entrepreneurial process, all based on his own vast experience starting and backing multiple companies.

- Mark DivineFounder of SEALFIT, The Coronado Brewing Company, NavySEALS.com, and NYT Best Selling author of The Way of the SEAL and Unbeatable Mind

Howard gives you an invaluable framework for understanding where you are with your startup and how to progress to success.

- Pete FlintCo-Founder of Trulia

Howard’s book is engaging, thought provoking, insightful and easy to read. Founders will relate to the tangible stories and examples. This book is fuel to accelerate up the curve to success.

- Larry MarcusManaging Director, Walden Venture Capital & Founding investor in Pandora.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Google+
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Share on Vk
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail

Press

Book Review:  “The Start-Up J Curve”

Howard Love on Yahoo! Finance

LoveToKnow Acquires Leading Outdoors Site Trails.com  – Yahoo Finance

Howard Love on MSNBC Your Business

Book Review:  “The Start-Up J Curve”

Interview:  The Start-Up J Curve:  SBA Award Winning Radio Show School for Start-Ups
May Interview | August Interview
  • Tampa AM 1630, FM 92.1
  •  Las Vegas AM 1520, FM 107.1
  • Macon AM 810, FM 87.9
  • Lancaster AM 1640, FM 102.1
  • Boulder FM 100.7
  • Milwaukee FM 104.1
  • Pittsburgh FM 107.3
  • Long Beach FM 101.5

ON THE SCENE: Love shares his guide to building a business

First Look:  Leadership Books for August

Interview: Howard Love  & “The Start-Up J Curve:  The Six Steps to Entrepreneurial Success”

Interview:  Howard Love & “The Start-Up Curve”

http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BIR_082116_SEG_2.mp3

Hot New Releases of Leadership Books – August 2016

Texas Business Radio –  Interview with Howard Love

  • KPRC AM950 Houston
  • News Radio 1200 WOAI San Antonio
  • Talk 1370 Austin
The Start-Up J Curve with Howard Love [Podcast]  – EveryDay MBA
  • iHeartRadio
  • iTunes

AustinInno Austin Inno Approved Events – What To Do This Week [Start-Up Grind Austin featuring Howard Love]

That Video Mag – How Start-Up Grind is Kicking Up the Houston Start-Up Scene
Pink Petro Blog –  Silicon Valley Angel Meets the Oil Field at Start-Up Grind Houston
Howard Love on Embracing Failure & Rocketing Through the Start-Up J Curve – IntrepidNOW
Predictable Patterns of Success – Interview with Howard Love on Business Breakthrough Strategies Radio

Tools

The Start-Up J Curve Perfect Pitch Deck

As an angel investor who has invested in over 50 startup over the past 20 years, I’ve been pitched many hundreds of times.  Almost all of those pitches had very real flaws that were quickly obvious during the pitch and would be obvious to any trained investor.  As a result of the flaws, we would end up wasting precious time that could have been better spent getting to know the founder and their business better.  So I decided to do something about it and created, with the help of other prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalists, a simple template that founders could use to create the perfect pitch deck.  I can’t guarantee you’ll get funded with this, but I can guarantee that your odds will go way up and that the investors you are pitching will respect and appreciate your thoughtfulness and professionalism.  Download it for free here and good luck with your pitch!

Download

About Howard Love

A life-long entrepreneur who has founded, co-founded, funded and managed startups for over 30 years.

He has founded or co-founded over 15 businesses and invested in over 50 startups including:

  • Inmark Development, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO. Sold to Rogue Wave (IPO, Board Member)
  • MarketHome – Chairman & Investor. Acquired by ClickAction (Board Member)
  • GetawayZone – Co-Founder, Investor. Acquired by Expedia
  • PageWise – Co-Founder, Investor & Chairman. Acquired by Demand Media
  • FlexJobs – Co-Founder, Investor & Chairman
  • LoveToKnow – Founder/Owner, Chairman & CEO (Recently acquired Trails.com)
  • Knowingly – Co-Founder & Chairman

Love is also an Angel Investor in companies such as:

  • Trulia – Angel Investment
  • HotelTonight – Angel Investment, Board Member
  • GigaOm – Chairman of the Board & Investor
  • iSpotTV – Angel Investment
  • Liftopia – Angel Investment
  • Titan Aerospace (acquired by Google) – Angel investment
  • Array Healthcare Solutions – Angel Investment

Love was born in Detroit in 1960, and attended Phillips Exeter Academy (1974-1978) and Colgate University (1978-1983). He completed his first Ironman competition at the age of 51 in Lake Placid, NY. His first book The J Curve for Start-Ups will be published by Greenleaf Book Group in the fall of 2016. Love resides in Silicon Valley, CA.

Howard Love’s Blog

Things I’ve learned from very expensive lessons.

Man at the gym. Execute exercise squatting with weight, in gym

Angel Investing and the Power Law

October 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Howard Love

The Power Law has become a widely accepted reality in venture, particularly as it applies to a classic venture portfolio.  While it may be an important factor when understanding future or past venture returns, I think it’s a mistake to extend it to all forms of venture, especially angel investing. At the risk of oversimplifying, […]

Read more →
http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ThinkstockPhotos-496070730.jpg 1998 2999 Howard Love http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/darkLogo-300x103.png Howard Love2016-10-24 09:14:092016-10-24 09:29:52Angel Investing and the Power Law
Successful woman making a presentation in a business meeting and showing statistic graphs

The Perfect Pitch Deck

August 30, 2016/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Howard Love

Today is the official launch date of my book, “The Start-Up J Curve”, so I thought it would be a good day to share something which can greatly benefit most start-ups – and especially those who are looking to raise money.  I call it The Start-Up J Curve Perfect Pitch Deck. My venture partner, David […]

Read more →
http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/The-Perfect-Pitch-Deck.jpg 1879 2615 Howard Love http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/darkLogo-300x103.png Howard Love2016-08-30 12:09:512016-08-31 11:21:49The Perfect Pitch Deck
baby shaves with dad

The Billion Dollar Idea

July 29, 2016/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Howard Love

Recently the Dollar Shave Club was bought by Unilever for one billion dollars.  I know many will think “why didn’t I have that idea?”  However, perhaps a more productive thought is “how could I come up with an idea like that?”  Well, it may sound far fetched but I actually do believe that you can.  […]

Read more →
http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Billon-Dollar-Idea.jpg 565 848 Howard Love http://www.howardlove.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/darkLogo-300x103.png Howard Love2016-07-29 08:34:172016-07-29 13:38:11The Billion Dollar Idea
Page 1 of 212

Connect with Howard

For comments about book and speaking inquires please email me

Connect at HowardLove.com
fb-iconin-icontw-icon

Speaking and Events

Books Inc. – Burlingame, CA

September 13, 2016 / 6:00 PM

Learn More

Books Inc. – Mountainview, CA

September 7, 2016 / 7:00 PM

Learn More

The Bookstore Plus – Lake Placid, NY

August 11, 2016 / 3:00-5:00 PM

Learn More

Plug & Play Tech Center, Sunnyvale, CA

 July 22, 2016 / 10:00 AM

Learn More

Fireside Chat – Start Up Grind – Austin, TX

 July 15, 2016 / 5:00 PM

Learn More

TechStars – Austin, TX

 July 15, 2016 / 12:00 PM

Learn More

Capital Factory – Austin, TX

July 14, 2016 / 6:30 PM

Learn More

Fireside Chat – StartUp Grind Houston

July 13, 2016 / 6:00 PM

Learn More

Fireside Chat – StartUp Grind Las Vegas

June 22, 2016 / 6:00 PM

Learn More

Sign-up for my newsletter

Gain access to exclusive content, Q&A sessions, and more!

© Copyright - Howard Love
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Mail
Scroll to top