What if the secret to entrepreneurial success isn't competing with other founders, but collaborating with them?
In this game-changing episode, we sit down with Jan van Schuppen, a seasoned entrepreneur and sales expert who's made it his mission to lift up other founders through his unique "services for shares" model. Discover why the most successful entrepreneurs actively mentor others, how helping fellow founders can accelerate your own growth, and the surprising psychology behind why asking for help actually makes you more likable. Jan reveals his contrarian take on founder communities, shares his Benjamin Franklin effect strategy, and explains why some of the best business advice comes from getting outside your comfort zone. This isn't just about networking—it's about building a support system that transforms lonely entrepreneurs into thriving business leaders.
Entrepreneurship is inherently lonely. You're constantly pretending to have all the answers while secretly making it up as you go along. The weight of decisions, the pressure to succeed, and the isolation of leadership create a perfect storm of stress that only other founders truly understand. Yet despite this shared experience, many entrepreneurs treat their peers as competition rather than collaborators.
The data tells a different story. According to the Kauffman Foundation, entrepreneurs who actively mentor and support other founders are 40% more likely to achieve successful exits compared to those operating in isolation. This isn't just correlation—it's causation rooted in human psychology and business fundamentals.
The power of helping other founders extends beyond mere networking. When you teach, you learn. When you ask questions to help someone else think through their problems, you develop frameworks that apply to your own challenges. The act of articulating solutions for others clarifies your own thinking and reveals blind spots you didn't know existed.
Jan van Schuppen discovered this truth through his own entrepreneurial journey. After taking a step back from the startup rat race, he realized that many successful "entrepreneurship gurus" were actually just skilled marketers with little real business experience. Instead of following their playbook, he decided to build his own approach—one focused on genuinely helping product-driven founders who struggled with sales and business development.
His model is elegantly simple: provide real value first, then share in the upside. Rather than charging cash-strapped startups for coaching, Jan offers his expertise in exchange for equity stakes. This alignment of interests ensures he's invested in their success while making high-quality mentorship accessible to founders who need it most.
The psychology behind asking for help reveals another crucial insight. The Benjamin Franklin effect demonstrates that when you ask someone for a favor, you actually become more likable to them. Franklin famously used this technique with his political adversaries, asking to borrow books from those who opposed him. The act of doing a favor creates psychological investment in your success.
For founders struggling with the vulnerability of asking for help, this reframes the entire dynamic. You're not showing weakness—you're creating stronger relationships and giving others the opportunity to invest in your journey.
The key is knowing what kind of help to seek and where to find it. Jan suggests avoiding founder meetups that devolve into complaint sessions and instead seeking out quality events with forward-thinking keynote speakers and genuine learning opportunities. Even better, create your own gatherings. The act of organizing brings together the exact network you need while positioning you as a connector and leader.
When it comes to building your founder support network, focus on quality over quantity. Find people who have real experience—whether they've succeeded spectacularly or failed instructively. Ask specific questions about their experiences and listen carefully to their warnings about potential pitfalls.
The most successful founders understand that helping others isn't just altruistic—it's strategic. By building a reputation as someone who genuinely cares about other entrepreneurs' success, you create a network of advocates, advisors, and potential collaborators. In an increasingly connected world, your ability to build authentic relationships with fellow founders might be your most valuable competitive advantage.
Watch the Full Episode on Our Duty: Helping Other Founders with expert Jan van Schuppen below:
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