Startup Life, Crisis, and Chaos: Psychologist Turned Serial Entrepreneur Dr. Doug Kaufman (part 1)
What happens when a classically trained psychologist leaves the world of academia to shift careers?
For Dr. Doug Kaufman, it was to become a serial entrepreneur (obviously).
Doug's story is defined by a relentless curiosity about human behavior, a series of successful ventures, and some hard-won lessons in the chaotic world of startups.
For Dr. Doug Kaufman, it was to become a serial entrepreneur (obviously).
Doug's story is defined by a relentless curiosity about human behavior, a series of successful ventures, and some hard-won lessons in the chaotic world of startups.
In this first of a two-part series, Doug recounts his unconventional path from a psychology PhD to joining a hyper-growth tech company, starting his own bootstrapped business, and facing the ultimate test of a founder's resilience in the Triangle.
Tune in to hear:
- Why Doug left the academic track to start his own online education company and a side hustle to fund it.
- His experience in the early days of a hyper-growth startup at Blackboard, and why he eventually left to seek new challenges.
- The story of his move to the Triangle and the founding of his first company, ClearTXT, a one-to-many notification system for universities.
- The unexpected challenges he faced at ClearTXT, including a televised public relations crisis and a patent troll lawsuit.
- Why his bootstrapped company consistently beat a larger, VC-funded competitor in a head-to-head competition.
- The origin of Spring Metrics and his early lessons from joining the Triangle Startup Factory.
- A candid account of his first, disastrous board meeting, and the onset of "founder burnout" that led to a painful but necessary exit.
Where to Find Dr. Doug Kaufman:
Where to Find Scot Wingo:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
- Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
- X: https://x.com/scotwingo
In this episode:
(00:02:00) Dr. Kaufman's lifelong fascination with psychology, human behavior, and the personal reasons for his interest.
(00:04:00) The decision to leave academia to start his first company, Alley Dog, and a computer repair side hustle.
(00:08:00) Joining Blackboard in 1998 and his experience in a hyper-growth tech startup.
(00:15:00) Why he left Blackboard to move to the Triangle and start his own company.
(00:18:00) Founding ClearTXT and navigating a major PR crisis at a large university.
(00:24:00) The lessons he learned from the chaos of startup life, including a patent troll lawsuit and a successful acquisition.
(00:29:00) The origins of Spring Metrics and joining the Triangle Startup Factory's first cohort.
(00:37:00) A frank discussion about his first board meeting at Spring Metrics and the difficult experience that followed.
(00:44:00) His eventual transition out of the CEO role and the valuable lessons he took from the experience.
(00:02:00) Dr. Kaufman's lifelong fascination with psychology, human behavior, and the personal reasons for his interest.
(00:04:00) The decision to leave academia to start his first company, Alley Dog, and a computer repair side hustle.
(00:08:00) Joining Blackboard in 1998 and his experience in a hyper-growth tech startup.
(00:15:00) Why he left Blackboard to move to the Triangle and start his own company.
(00:18:00) Founding ClearTXT and navigating a major PR crisis at a large university.
(00:24:00) The lessons he learned from the chaos of startup life, including a patent troll lawsuit and a successful acquisition.
(00:29:00) The origins of Spring Metrics and joining the Triangle Startup Factory's first cohort.
(00:37:00) A frank discussion about his first board meeting at Spring Metrics and the difficult experience that followed.
(00:44:00) His eventual transition out of the CEO role and the valuable lessons he took from the experience.
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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.
Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.
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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:
Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:
- Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/
