Newsletter | Real Talk with Clarence

Newsletter: Real Talk with Clarence

Real Talk with Clarence is where I share the unfiltered truth about startup life — the wins, the losses, and everything in between.

Tags: fundraising strategy

Showing 8 results:

As founders, we love to move fast. We fill our days with meetings, calls, brainstorms, and updates. We answer every email, react to every Slack message, and feel like we’re working hard — because we are. But here’s the truth: busyness and progress are not the same thing. Some of the most exhausti...

by Clarence Bethea — Mar 10, 2026 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

We’re Partnering with SMU!

We’re excited to share some big news with you. We’ve officially partnered with Southern Methodist University (SMU) to work more closely with their students, founders, and entrepreneurial community. This partnership is about expanding access and connecting more early-stage builders with real-world...

by Clarence Bethea — Feb 11, 2026 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy online learning startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

Hiring for Hunger, Not Just Talent

When you’re building a company, it’s tempting to chase the most polished resumes. The people with the perfect background, big-name logos, or impressive credentials. But here’s what I’ve learned... Talent without hunger doesn’t win. The best team members I’ve ever worked with weren’t always the mo...

by Clarence Bethea — Feb 10, 2026 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

Think Big, Even When You’re Outside the Coast

If you’re building your company in the Midwest, the South, or anywhere outside the big tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, or Boston, you’ve probably heard the same advice: play it safe. Raise a small round. Grow at a “comfortable” pace. Stay close to what you know. That kind of thinking keep...

by Clarence Bethea — Jan 13, 2026 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

Being Authentic Is Your Superpower

The realest founders always win. There’s a lie too many founders believe that to win, you have to play a role. Talk like a “founder.” Dress like one. Act like you’ve got it all together, even when you’re barely holding it down. I get it. When I started Upsie, I tried to fit that mold too. I walke...

by Clarence Bethea — Nov 11, 2025 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising fundraising strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

It’s Okay to Build a Real Company in the Age of AI

Everywhere you look right now, it’s AI this, AI that. Feeds are full of “AI-powered” everything. New startups are popping up daily, raising millions before they even have a product. It’s easy to look around and think you’re falling behind if you’re not building something with machine learning, mo...

by Clarence Bethea — Nov 02, 2025 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

Running Your Own Race

It’s easy to get caught up watching other founders win. You see the headlines, the fundraising announcements, the shiny team photos and suddenly you’re questioning your own progress. But here’s the truth: you don’t know the full story. Too many founders compare their behind-the-scenes to someone ...

by Clarence Bethea — Nov 02, 2025 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital

The Power of Saying “I Don’t Know”

Founders often feel pressure to have all the answers. Investors expect it. Teams look for it. The world celebrates confidence, even when it’s a mask. But the truth is, pretending to know everything is one of the fastest ways to lose trust. The most respected leaders I know don’t fake certainty, t...

by Clarence Bethea — Nov 02, 2025 early stage startups founder advice founder mindset fundraising strategy hiring strategy startup fundraising startup growth venture capital