There truly is no single right path into VC!
Christine Choi, Partner at M13, is one of the most interesting and introspective people I’ve ever met. From being on the founding team of Teach for America to putting together massive music festivals, Christine is a master executor! In episode 034 of New to Venture, Christine and I take a walk down memory lane as she shares lessons from the many different jobs she has had. Links to the episode are at the end of this post!
M13 is a phenomenal firm headquartered in LA. If you have the means, please stand with and support the LA community as they are going through a time of distress and tragedy.
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Get good at executing. If you have a track record and reputation of simply getting it done, the world is your oyster.
2️⃣ “Slow is smooth is fast” - Being thoughtful and having a prepared mind is a slow process, but it makes things smooth, which in turn, lets you move fast when the time is right!
3️⃣ Leadership doesn’t happen in a boardroom. Leadership happens in the real world where unexpected things happen. How you deal with it and how you empower team members defines a true leader.
4️⃣ You can’t build something substantial all alone. You need a strong team. You need to inspire, but also give them space to work their magic.
5️⃣ Good storytelling starts with authenticity, understanding your key differentiators, and where you shine. Some people show up well as a keynote speaker, blog writer, panelist etc. Find what makes you special! In a way that feels natural, find the proper medium to express your uniqueness. The last piece is understanding your audience. Where can they be found? What speaks to them? What are they looking for?
6️⃣ The VC comms and marketing world is so dynamic. It is extremely difficult to keep communication streamlined and efficient because there are so many different groups of people from founders, operators, other VC firms, internal team members, and LPs.
Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introductions
(02:14) - Traveling + Living an interesting life
(07:00) - Life is too short for a**holes
(08:56) - Being introspective + parents
(13:37) - Origin stories
(22:27) - Learnings from Richard Branson
(25:09) - Effective storytelling in VC
(27:39) - Why comms and marketing is so difficult
(30:00) - Highlights and lowlights
(33:22) - Ceremonial final Qs