The Unforgivable Mistake That Is Killing Your Startup | Lee Russel

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In this episode, I talk with Lee Russel, a genuine expert in software and machine learning, who shares his experiences building high-impact, machine learning-driven systems for schools to help safeguard children. Lee reveals the importance of creating software that solves real, urgent problems—and explains why so many startups fail by building products no one truly wants or needs. Our conversation dives deep into ethical dilemmas, product strategy, and Lee’s unique approach to falling in love with the problem to create software that sells itself. 🚀

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Video Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:07 - Why Startups Fail: Building Products No One Wants
00:14 - Lee’s Work in Machine Learning and Safeguarding in Schools
00:42 - High-Stakes Stories: Preventing Suicides and Trafficking
01:46 - Breaking Open a Trafficking Ring
02:19 - Ethical Considerations and Intense Surveillance
02:40 - Covid Acquisition & Departure Over Moral Disagreements
03:08 - The “Parent Portal” Controversy
03:28 - Challenging Leadership: Product Strategy Disagreement
03:39 - Lee’s “Spiky Opinions” & Psychological Unemployability
03:46 - The AI Trend: Being a Genuine vs Trend-Follower Expert
04:35 - Lee’s Corporate Projects & Software Specialism
04:49 - Minimal Viable Launch Book: Creating Software that Sells
05:30 - Pivoting to Product Leadership During Covid
05:46 - Turning Around a Failing EdTech Product
06:23 - Listening to the Customer: The Power of Simplicity
06:47 - Major Contract Wins & the Power of “Burning Hair Problems”
07:16 - Lessons for Founders: Why Validation Matters
07:37 - The Core Reason Startups Go Out of Business
07:59 - Control, Ego, and Building True Value
08:13 - The Book’s Origin: Falling in Love with the Problem
08:25 - Valuing Problems Over Ideas
08:35 - Closing Thoughts and Empowering Transformation

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