Being the “Resource Guy”
Startups? Scrappy by nature. They exist in a constant state of doing more with less—whether that’s less money, fewer people, and not enough hours in the day. Yet in the chaos, there’s always one person who makes the impossible happen.
You know the type: They find the perfect desk for free, get the company placement into a major industry event, or miraculously land the perfect engineering hire at exactly the right moment. A founder, marketer, product manager or even an executive – but every startup has one.
What makes the Resource Guy?
A Resource Guy (who can identify with any gender or none, of course) isn’t just someone who knows a lot of people. Their “active” network is exactly what’s necessary in a crisis. They know relationships are more valuable than capital, and they trade in a currency of goodwill, favors, and smart negotiation.
The Resource Guy is a walking, talking unfair advantage.
They have instincts. And those instincts pay off.
✔ Finding stuff: reduced price office space, Amazon credits, conference tickets—even an espresso machine that some other startup left behind.
Result: More runway: money saved is money that can be reinvested in product, talent, or growth.
✔ Getting access: Somehow, they’re on the list. Even when they’re not on the list.
Result: More open doors. The right people in the room at the right time can turn a struggling startup into a rocket ship.
✔ Making the introductions: advisors, customers, talent, that can change the entire trajectory of a company.
Result: More momentum. Early wins, like landing a marquee customer or getting into an exclusive event, build credibility.
How to find (or become) a Resource Guy
If you’re looking to bring one into your startup, or if you want to develop this skill yourself, here’s what to look for:
“Oh, I know a guy”. Or, at least, they know someone who knows someone.
“Let me see if I can call in a favor” . They understand the long game of reciprocity.
“That’s an interesting dilemma—let’s figure out how to solve it”. A lack of budget doesn’t slow them down; it just makes the game more interesting.
“You know what they say—ask for forgiveness”. They know when to push boundaries. Never in a sketchy way, but in a “hacking the system” way.
My two cents:
The best founders encourage this mentality across the whole company, and build a culture where employees think like owners, where they see problems as challenges to outmaneuver rather than obstacles to accept.
In the early days, it’s not always the company with the best product or the most funding that wins. Being resourceful can be more valuable… than a valuation.