Why Great Startups Still Fail: Timing, Trust, and Knowing What to Do 'Properly'

What actually kills startups? Sometimes it’s not product… it’s timing.In this episode, I’m joined by Alan Jones: angel investor, startup mentor, ex-founder, and co-manager at M8 Ventures (backing early-stage tech across Australia & New Zealand). Alan’s also the host of Pick My Brain, where founders pitch live and get the kind of feedback that’s equal parts practical and slightly brutal.We talk about:why timing is the variable no one can control (and why it quietly decides so many outcomes)Alan’s “life is a side-scrolling shooter” metaphor (and why it’s weirdly accurate for careers + startups)what he looks for in early-stage founders — and the red flags that make him pausewhy he says he likes to invest in time (not just money), and how relationship-building scales… until it doesn’twhy diverse teams are often more resilient than “perfect” monoculture founder duosthe balance founders need: what to do carefully vs what can be tested fast and messya classic story of moving fast… and sending the wrong cover letters (painful, hilarious, and a real lesson)If you’re building in a world where AI is speeding everything up — this one will make you rethink what you can control, what you can’t, and how to keep moving anyway.Follow us on all platforms!Instagram ~ @fayltalesTiktok ~ @fayltales LinkedIn ~ @fayltales