At TRD Studios, we’ve spent years refining our approach to working with in-house entrepreneurs and independent entrepreneurs, learning valuable lessons about what truly drives value for our ecosystem. It’s not just about expertise on paper—it’s about resilience, adaptability, and decision-making under uncertainty. Here’s what we’ve learned:
Over 90% of in-house entrepreneurs or advisors fail to bring meaningful value to the table. In our assessment, nearly 70% can even add negative value—offering advice or making decisions that derail rather than support a growing business.
The harsh truth is that being part of a venture, or even holding an MBA, doesn’t automatically qualify someone to advise or lead in an entrepreneurial setting. Experience matters, but the right kind of experience is key.
We’ve seen firsthand that surviving uncertainty—navigating gut-wrenching decisions like meeting payroll during financial crunches or avoiding bankruptcy—is a non-negotiable aspect of entrepreneurial leadership. Without this firsthand exposure to ambiguity and high-stakes trade-offs, it’s nearly impossible for someone to provide guidance that is empathetic, nuanced, or practical.
At TRD, we look for entrepreneurs who’ve faced those tough nights—where decisions were made under immense pressure, with limited resources, and no guarantee of success. That perspective is irreplaceable.
Many advisors or board members fall into the trap of offering oversimplified advice:
- “Improve quality.”
- “Ship faster.”
- “Spend less.”
These statements are meaningless without understanding the complexities of trade-offs. Real entrepreneurial value comes from those who recognize the deeper context and can balance competing priorities effectively.
An in-house entrepreneur who comes from a corporate background often excels at incremental optimization but struggles with market creation.
For example, if a team member’s experience is rooted in improving efficiency by 5% year-over-year in an established company, they may not have the skills to invent entirely new approaches to markets or products. At TRD, we focus on choosing independent entrepreneurs who thrive in undefined spaces—those who embrace risk, experiment boldly, and adapt quickly to uncertainty.
In our journey, we’ve learned that the most critical traits for success in entrepreneurship are:
- Rate of Learning: How quickly can someone adapt, unlearn, and relearn in a rapidly changing environment?
- First Principles Thinking: Can they strip a problem to its core and rebuild solutions from the ground up?
We prioritize these over experience alone. Someone who demonstrates curiosity and critical thinking often outperforms those with years of narrowly defined expertise.
Over the years, we’ve realized that the ecosystem of TRD thrives when we bring the right people into the fold:
- In-House Entrepreneurs: These individuals need to be deeply aligned with TRD’s vision and capable of navigating cross-functional complexities. They must understand the challenges of scaling, building systems, and delivering value across multiple brands.
- Independent Entrepreneurs: With this group, we’ve learned to focus on versatility and a growth mindset. The best independent entrepreneurs aren’t just specialists in one domain; they’re adaptable problem-solvers who can create value across diverse challenges.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about solving the right problems in the right way. As an entrepreneur, deciding whose advice to trust is critical. At TRD, we ensure that everyone in our ecosystem has earned the right to advise or lead by demonstrating resilience, creativity, and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
At TRD, we’ve realized that building an ecosystem isn’t about picking the most experienced person on paper; it’s about choosing the best athlete for the task. We look for individuals who:
- Embrace uncertainty.
- Prioritize learning over legacy.
- Think from first principles.
- Make meaningful trade-offs under ambiguity.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to refining this judgment. Every in-house entrepreneur, every independent entrepreneur, and every team member is chosen with care to ensure that they add genuine, lasting value to TRD’s ecosystem.
We’d love to hear how others navigate this challenge—how do you ensure you’re picking the right people to be part of your entrepreneurial journey? Let’s exchange ideas and continue learning together.