OSD 170: A loadout for your startup

Some resources to help you build a gun-related company.

And now for something a little different.

We’ve been talking to founders in the private defense industry about what challenges they face. One theme quickly emerged as the most common: access to expertise. Whether it’s scaling a team, ramping manufacturing, or figuring out what a good MRR is, leaders in this space often feel like they’re flying blind.

So here’s a little compendium of resources. Also, two quick requests:

1. Send us your favorites, and we’ll add them to the list in the future.

2. Ping us with what else you’d like advice on.

Product development

• The How to Start a Startup series from YC. Particularly:

  • Lecture 2: Team and Execution

  • Lecture 3: Before the Startup

  • Lecture 7: How to Build Products Users Love

  • Lecture 11: Hiring and Culture

• YC’s library is generally useful on this topic (and others).

Managing and personal growth

• Ben Horowitz: Making Yourself a CEO

• Sayge and BetterUp are good coaching resources, especially for fast-growing companies looking to level up the team.

• On Tap Consulting does a good job helping companies scale operations.

Metrics and analytical mindset

• 16 Startup Metrics (and 16 More)

• Important Financial Indicators for Startups at Every Stage of Growth

• The Stratechery and Money Stuff newsletters are good examples of systematic thinking about business strategy and finance.

Fundraising

• 16 Common Questions About Fundraising

• 16 Things to Know About Raising Debt for Startups

• Email us for more on this.

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This week’s links

Why is it traitorous to understand the people you disagree with? Six models.

When you and I talk about how stupid and evil and bad the other side is, we’re demonstrating that we’ve burned our bridges and we’re totally committed to our current tribe.

In this model, when you make some cold-blooded cost-benefit analysis about sacred issues, what other people hear is, “I am considering defecting from this group”, or “I refuse to play by our group’s rules” or “Look at me, lowering the status of our group just for my own amusement!”

/r/NYGuns megathread on the New York governor’s new gun control proposal

And a quick Twitter thread from us on it.

Tucker Max’s EDC

It’s progress when non-gun-industry people post about gun stuff. (See also: Alton Brown in an old reddit AMA talking about the gun he carries.)

Tucker Max @TuckerMax

My first EDC (every day carry) post, with a bunch of videos coming about how my thinking in self-defense has evolved, why I carry what I carry, and how I train with it. EDC details in next post:

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OSD office hours

If you’re a new gun owner, thinking about becoming one, or know someone who is, come to OSD office hours. It’s a free 30-minute video call with an OSD team member to ask any and all your questions.

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Support

Like what we’re doing? You can support us at the link below.

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Merch

And the best kind of support is to rock our merch and spread the word. Top-quality hats, t-shirts, and patches with a subtle OSD flair.