It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on “validated learning,” rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want. The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. But many of those failures are preventable. Rather than give up, however, he shifted his focus to the startup world.Most startups fail. After he shifted to cycling, Thomas ultimately put a stop to his athletic career when a fall while biking left him with a broken neck.

Olympic team, largely due to an injury he suffered during steeplechase trials. Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Thomas excelled in track and field while at Stanford University and later narrowly missed earning a spot on the U.S. Jesse Thomas is the co-founder & CEO of Picky Bars, not to mention a professional triathlete and two-time ironman champion. The benefits of self-funding and keeping expenses low. How a personal need from Jesse’s athletic training led to the creation of Picky Bars. How Jesse struggled to find balance in his life while working for a VC-funded startup.

Advisor, about the impact of passion, patience and a focus on growth that led to consistent, year-over-year growth for the energy bar company. We recently hosted a conversation between Jesse Thomas, Co-founder & CEO of Picky Bars, and Chris Guest, Lean Startup Co.

The lean startup audio book