24. Product Management in Founder-Led Startups with David Lifson

The Estee Show - Product Management & Business Insights

Product Management in Founder-Led Startups with David Lifson: From Startup to Scale In this episode, David Lifson shares his extensive experience in product management across different stages of company growth, including startups and major companies like Amazon and Etsy. Lifson discusses the challenges of being the first head of product for a first-time founder, emphasizing the importance of knowing what you're getting into and how it can be both a career-defining opportunity and a rollercoaster ride. He gives insights on founders' common traits, the pressures of early-stage startups, and the shift needed once a company reaches product-market fit. Lifson also touches on his journey from Amazon to Etsy, and founding his own company, providing valuable lessons on leadership, decision-making, product strategy, and the dynamics of working with founders. The conversation delves into practical advice for those considering head of product roles at startups, including setting realistic expectations, choosing battles, and understanding the real job you're being hired for. 00:00 Welcome to the SD Show: A Candid Chat with David Lifson 00:07 Navigating the Product Management Journey: Insights from Amazon to Etsy 01:26 The Harsh Realities of Being the First Head of Product 02:07 Traits of First-Time Founders: A Product Manager's Perspective 04:16 From Big Tech to Startup Life: David Lifson's Career Shift 06:52 The Founder's Imagination vs. Reality: Navigating Startup Challenges 08:11 Identifying Red Flags in Founding Stories 09:29 The Misconception of Product Market Fit 11:36 The Complex Dynamics of Founder Decisions and Team Impact 18:37 Evaluating Founders and the Importance of Trust 20:34 Reflecting on Success and Failure in Startups 23:10 Discovering Pregnancy Through Tech 23:44 The Value of Failure in Founding Teams 24:22 Debunking the 'Data-Driven' Myth 25:36 The Misuse of Data and A/B Testing 27:47 Navigating NPS and Ethical Dilemmas 31:16 The Role of a Founder in Product Strategy 34:39 Strategic Execution vs. Blind Action 37:48 Navigating Early Stage Product Leadership 39:55 Choosing Your Battles Wisely 42:54 Ethical Lines and Cultural Health 47:45 Working with Founders: A Multi-Layered Challenge

David Lifson's Bio: David Lifson has led high performing teams at startups, public, and private equity backed companies, delivering high impact outcomes through clear vision, validated product strategy, and collaborative culture. He’s gone 0 -> 1 multiple times, as well as led teams supporting $350M in revenue. His experience leading teams spans 15 years, including four as CEO/GM and eight as Head of Product & Engineering. Dave has a bachelors and masters degree in Computer Science from Cornell University, and is based in Austin, TX.