Pipeline Pathfinders II Virtual Workshop
The results of these two exercises (~20 minutes) should give you more insights when sharing what your company is building and who you are. This replaces watching Kauffman Founders School videos for September’s workshop.
📝 Narrative Builders
1) The One-Liner Machine
You’re about to meet a very cool company…
Yours.
Let’s see if you can more effectively answer the question, “What is your startup building and who is it for?”
Exercise A — Discover your company’s more compelling narrative
Open NotebookLM → click Create new notebook.
Add your website URL as the only source.
On the right Studio panel → Click Audio Overview.
After a few minutes, listen to the AI podcast about your company.
Draft a 75–150 word intro as if introducing your company on a podcast or to someone you just met.
Optional: Create a few versions for different audiences; test with real people and capture feedback.
Exercise B — Curiosity-boosting one-liners
Open ChatGPT → create a New Chat.
Paste or upload the Intro Script from Exercise A.
Suggested Prompt:
“Using my Intro Script, create 10 powerful, memorable, and fun similes or analogies to describe what my startup is building, aimed at someone who doesn’t know me yet. These should spark curiosity and invite follow-up questions.”
Pick 1–2 favorites and test them with people. Aim for conversation starters, not an elevator pitch.
2) Your Story, Amplified
Next, you’re about to meet someone fascinating…
Yourself.
Would you like to answer the question, “Who are you?” with more confidence and less stress using humblebrags?
Exercise A — Discover your honest, authentic, and compelling personal narrative
Export your LinkedIn profile as a PDF (or copy all profile text).
Go to the NotebookLM main menu by clicking the NotebookLM icon at the top left corner next to the title of your current notebook.
Click Create new notebook.
Upload the PDF or paste text into Copied Text → Insert.
On the right Studio panel → Click Audio Overview.
After a few minutes, listen to the AI podcast about you.
Draft a 75–150 word intro as if introducing yourself on a podcast or to someone you just met.
Optional: Create multiple versions for different audiences; test and capture feedback.
Exercise B — Curiosity-boosting one-liners about you
Open ChatGPT → create a New Chat.
Add your LinkedIn PDF or copied text.
Suggested Prompt:
“Take this data about me and create 10 powerful, memorable, and fun similes or analogies to describe what I do, aimed at someone who doesn’t know me yet. These should spark curiosity and invite follow-up questions.”
The initial results might be spot on or not. So, continue prompting for more until you find the one that makes you smile or say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Suggested Prompt:
“Create 10 more along the lines of #3 and #7.”
Select 1–2 favorites and test them. Think conversation starters, not an elevator pitch. These one-liners aim to boost curiosity in the audience while being authentically memorable.
Monthly Workshop
The workshop is on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, sharp, for 90 minutes. We will begin by sharing your takeaways from this series on a volunteer basis. No one will be put on the spot. This is a safe learning and sharing environment where you can simply listen in. You might learn a thing or two or help someone else.
N.B.: The video below is a recording of the workshop. Feel free to review the content because we talked about some really compelling issues and questions.
[To be added after the workshop is completed.]
Monthly Office Hours
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 25
Leandro and Nathan will hold virtual office hours on the fourth Thursday of every month from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM CST. We will use the same Zoom room monthly, as noted in the calendar invitation below. While these office hours are optional, please consider this time as your time to ask questions and offer comments and feedback while listening to what others ask and say.
N.B.: Katy has already sent out calendar invitations for the office hours with Zoom details. If you have not received that cal invite, use this link: https://zoom.us/my/nathangold
