Your Career is a Startup: Building Sustainable Growth, One Stage at a Time
With a fun analogy to think about your career as fundraising stages of the company.
We obsess over growing companies, yet our careers rarely receive the same level of attention. Most people’s career plan is as simple as being laser-focused on titles - the bigger, the better, right? On the surface, what’s not to like? "Vice President" has a nice ring to it, after all. There's the money, the respect from others, and the prestige that screams, "I’ve made it!"
And what’s the fastest way to land a bigger title? Getting a new job, of course. In your current role, getting a promotion requires earning it - proving yourself over time. But getting a promotion by switching jobs? All you have to do is sell yourself. And let’s be real: talking the talk is a lot easier than walking the walk.
As a result, people job-hop, chasing the biggest title they can get - often landing in leadership roles long before they’re ready. But the focus on rapid title inflation over true growth can leave careers as shaky as houses built on quicksand. Severe burnout and being fired are just some of the consequences of rushing through career stages without building the necessary skills and experience.
If you want a long, meaningful career, titles should be a lagging indicator of the work you’ve accomplished.
You know who faces a similar problem? Startups. If they fundraise and progress to the next stage too soon, it can be a near-death sentence. Unreasonable pressure, burnout, and down rounds often become harsh realities. And since we study and think about startups far more than our own careers, let’s draw some parallels.
Fundraising stages are like… career growth stages!?
Too meta? Hold on, just stay with me…
Startups grow through well-defined stages, each marked by specific milestones and challenges. These stages provide a clear structure for both the company and the market to evaluate progress and establish a predictable growth curve. Consider applying a similar framework for your career.
Titles, to some extent, can serve the same purpose. However, we often chase titles without fully understanding what needs to be accomplished at each stage of growth. Instead of focusing on meaningful milestones that signify true readiness, we blindly skip ahead. So, let’s compare and contrast the structured growth of startups with career progression.
Series A… is like an Individual Contributor role.
For a company: At this stage, the goal is to demonstrate Product-Market Fit (PMF). The company identifies a problem in the market and creates a solution that customers stick with. They start seeing early traction - acquiring customers, achieving good retention, and learning how to monetize. It’s about proving that there’s something valuable here while laying the groundwork for future growth.
For you: Just as startups strive to find PMF, you’re figuring out your skillset niche. What problems do companies have that you can solve? Whether it’s brand marketing, product management, data analytics, or another area, you need to identify your unique strengths and deliver results that your “audience” (your employer) values. Companies should want to retain you because your contributions are making a difference.
Series B… is like a Principal role.
For a company: At this stage, the focus shifts to scaling. Companies double down on what’s working, refine their processes, deepen expertise, and expand their reach while staying aligned with their original Product-Market Fit. It’s all about building on a solid foundation to grow sustainably.
For you: Similarly, this is where you begin building deep expertise and becoming a recognized authority in your field. You’re still working within your original “PMF” (your core skillset) but are now optimizing and scaling your impact. Like a Series B company refining its operations, you’re honing your craft to drive bigger, more meaningful results. Many at this stage see their titles upgraded to include "Principal" or "Architect," reflecting this deeper level of mastery and strategic influence.
Series C… is like a Manager role.
For a company: At this stage, diversification and optimization take center stage. Companies refine operations and expand into new initiatives, such as entering new markets, launching additional products, or exploring complementary revenue streams. The focus is on sustaining growth while maintaining efficiency.
For you: This is where you begin transitioning from being a strong individual contributor to managing others. Managing people requires a new skill set (aka, new initiatives!) - delegating work, mentoring team members, and ensuring the team’s collective success. At the same time, you continue leveraging your core expertise to drive results. Just as Series C companies often branch into adjacent markets or products, you may find yourself managing other departments or responsibilities beyond your original focus. It’s about scaling your impact through others while maintaining alignment with your strengths.
Some companies expand to Series D, E, F, and beyond… but let’s not get silly here.
IPO/Going Public… is like an executive role.
For a company: At this stage, the company is a market leader, with significant responsibilities to investors, employees, and the public. The focus shifts to maintaining growth, managing public scrutiny, and balancing the needs of stakeholders while staying competitive in the market.
For you: This is the "final boss level" - a leadership title. As an executive, you wield significant influence and carry immense responsibility. However, with greater scrutiny and organizational complexity, decisions become slower, stakes are higher, and trade-offs are unavoidable. Like a public company prioritizing long-term success over quick wins, your focus shifts from individual contributions to shaping strategy, fostering organizational health, and ensuring sustainable growth for the teams and systems you oversee.
What can we learn from fundraising stages that applies to our careers?
A lot, actually.
First, and foremost, don’t be in a hurry to get to the next ‘stage’:
Startups that raise prematurely often face unsustainable pressure, sometimes leading to failure. The same applies to your career. Jumping to a Principal, Manager, or Executive role before you’ve mastered the stage you are at can result in burnout or even being fired. Each stage must be completed fully and on the right terms to ensure success at the next level.
So in order to complete each stage properly, make sure to:
Know your Product-Market Fit (PMF):
In both startups and careers, your first task is finding *your* PMF: What problem are you solving, and what unique value do you offer? For your career, this means aligning your "product", or your superpowers, with market needs. Avoid "dead zones" like doing what you dislike (even if you’re good at it) or what you enjoy but aren’t skilled in. Long-term growth hinges on finding this sweet spot.
Define your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP):
Growth requires clarity about your "customer"- the company paying for your skills. Identify your career ICP: the industries, roles, or audiences that align best with your strengths. For instance, I focus on B2B SaaS, primarily in the productivity category for scaling businesses (Series B and above). Without this clarity, you risk restarting from scratch with each job change.
Evolution is essential:
Success is about thoughtful expansion. Just as companies expand their PMF or launch new products, you must evolve to stay competitive. Start with your core strengths and expand your skillset to meet changing market needs. Whether it’s learning new tools, taking on new roles, or broadening responsibilities, ensure every evolution aligns with your long-term career goals.
Choose your ‘investor’ carefully:
For startups, selecting the right lead investor is critical. For your career, this means choosing the right company and manager. A great manager and supportive environment can be transformative, while a poor match can stall your progress. Be strategic and intentional with these choices.
Don’t forget about your ‘angel investors’:
Startups often seek angel investors for strategic advice and mentorship. Similarly, you should cultivate relationships with mentors or advisors who can provide pointed guidance and help you navigate challenges. These "career angels" can be pivotal in guiding you through transitions or helping you avoid common pitfalls.
Not every company needs to go public, and not every career needs to end at the executive level:
Just as many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) thrive without ever going public, many individuals can build fulfilling, impactful careers without pursuing executive titles. A company doesn’t need to be on the stock market to be successful, and similarly, your career doesn’t need an executive title to be meaningful.
There’s immense value in being a high-performing individual contributor who loves their craft. Mastering a niche and delivering exceptional results can be just as rewarding as climbing the corporate ladder. Success isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all path - it’s about finding what works best for you and thriving within it.
By applying these principles, you can build a sustainable, impactful career - just like a well-run startup thrives through thoughtful growth.
Don’t be a generalist:
Over-diversification can dilute your impact. Startups that try to tackle too many markets or launch too many products too soon often lose focus and fail to excel in any one area. The same applies to your career. Specialization often creates differentiation - it’s what makes you stand out.
Focus on mastering your core strengths first and building a solid foundation. Only expand your skills or take on new roles once you’ve achieved depth in your niche. Strategic growth, rather than trying to do it all at once, ensures you remain impactful and in demand.
Final Thoughts: Choose Your Own Adventure
Understanding the parallels between startup growth and career development can be a game-changer. It helps you see patterns, avoid common mistakes, and identify opportunities for growth. Just as startups leverage strategies tailored to their stage, you can adopt a similar mindset to chart your career path. The ultimate goal? To build a fulfilling career that aligns with your strengths, passions, and goals.
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Edited with the help of Jonathan Yagel.
Instant classic.
ps: Seed is like.. Education. Explore to find your fit.
Love this, Elena. Great way think about a career.