Advice From the Field: Insights for Startups from Impresa Advisors
At Impresa Advisors, we provide fractional C-suite services to help startups and portfolio companies navigate the complexities of growth and scale. With expertise across a range of industries—from healthcare and healthtech to fintech, pharmaceuticals, and SaaS—we focus on helping our clients build strong business foundations while staying aligned with their vision.
Our firm is led by Cassie Bernhardt and Courtney Scott, two seasoned C-level professionals with decades of combined experience in strategic planning, operational excellence, and leadership coaching. Together, we’ve worked alongside founders and teams at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, offering tailored guidance to help businesses thrive.
In this article, we’re sharing some of the most common advice we give to our clients. Whether you’re just starting out or navigating a critical growth phase, these insights are designed to help you stay focused, resilient, and forward-looking.
Prioritize Your Time and Stay Focused
As a founder, your time is one of your most valuable resources.On days when your to-do list feels endless and overwhelming, focus on identifying three “must-do” tasks. These are the three things you absolutely need to accomplish before the end of the day to feel productive, even if nothing else gets done. Your “must-do’s” can range from something small, like "respond to Courtney's email about meeting with Fred," to larger, more impactful tasks, like "finalize updates to the pitch deck." The key is to choose tasks that will make meaningful progress and leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Don’t be afraid to schedule blocks of focused time on your calendar to dedicate to critical tasks, such as refining your go-to-market strategy, preparing for investor meetings, or optimizing team workflows. By homing in on what matters most each day, you’ll make consistent progress without feeling consumed by less critical demands. All entrepreneurs face moments where quitting feels like the only option. During those times, revisit this list—start with three must-do tasks and build from there. Focusing on manageable steps will help you regain momentum.
Be Selective About the Advice You Accept
Entrepreneurs often receive an overwhelming amount of feedback from investors, advisors, and peers. While usually well-intentioned, not all advice is the right fit for your business. Pay attention to feedback that aligns with solving your core problem or improving foundational elements. Avoid trying to address every suggestion at once; instead, focus on implementing changes that will drive meaningful progress. Remember, it’s your vision—not every piece of advice will move you in the right direction.
Choose Your Team Carefully
The people you bring into your venture matter—a lot. In an early-stage company, your team’s contributions can define the trajectory of your business. Be selective about hiring individuals who align with your mission and values, demonstrate a positive, problem-solving attitude, and
understand the unique demands of a startup environment. Early-stage ventures require team members who are comfortable wearing many hats, starting initiatives from scratch, and embracing continuous learning.
It’s also important to recognize that the right fit for your team may evolve as your company matures. The talent you need in the early days—nimble, adaptable, and scrappy—might differ from what’s required in later phases of growth. Think of each role as a “tour of duty,” where some team members may focus on short-term impact while others commit to a longer journey with the company. Choosing the right people at the right time will help you maintain momentum and successfully navigate your venture’s growth stages.
You Don’t Have to Know Everything on Day 1
Entrepreneurship is a journey of growth. The most successful founders will tell you that they didn’t have everything figured out from day one—it’s a process. Be open to learning from setbacks, seeking advice when needed, and adapting to challenges as they come. Remember, you don’t need to know everything at the start. Give yourself permission to learn, evolve, and adapt as you go.
Have Fun
And finally, entrepreneurship is challenging enough—don’t lose sight of why you started this journey. Hopefully, you began because you’re passionate about what you do. Make time to celebrate small wins, enjoy the process, and reconnect with the joy that fuels your work. Don’t forget to have fun!
About Impresa Advisors
At Impresa Advisors, we pride ourselves on being trusted partners to startups, portfolio companies, and investors. Hoosier natives, Cassie Bernhardt and Courtney Scott bring decades of experience in leadership, strategy, and operational excellence to the table. Cassie brings expertise in external relations, including fundraising, marketing, team building, and driving strategic, sustainable growth. Courtney specializes in business foundations, leadership development, compliance, and navigating mergers and acquisitions. Together, they empower businesses to build strong, scalable foundations that support long-term success.
Whether we’re guiding startups through funding readiness, optimizing operations, or refining go-to-market strategies, we act as an extension of our clients’ leadership teams, empowering them to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your business, feel free to reach out to us directly at cassie@impresaadvisors.com or visit our website at www.impresaadvisors.com