JDJDMBA
Notes from a JD going back to business school.
JDJDMBA is my running record of moving from a law degree toward an MBA: what I study, what I get wrong, and how it applies to running a business. I started it to keep myself honest and to leave a trail for the next person making the same move.
Where things stand
I have been accepted to the MBA program at the University of San Diego. I deferred enrollment for family commitments and plan to begin when I can. Until then I am running my business and writing about what I learn here.
What I write about
Business, AI in professional settings, brand building, and early-stage company building. These are practical notes, not professional advice.
Posts
Why JDJDMBA
John Donboli explains the name of this series: his initials, his Juris Doctor degree, and the MBA he was accepted to at the University of San Diego.
How I Evaluate an Early-Stage Startup: A Four-Part Framework
A working framework for sizing up an early-stage company: team, market, evidence, and deal structure, and the questions that sit under each.
Why Power Laws Shape Everything in Venture Capital
Venture returns are driven by a small number of outsized winners. Here is why that changes how portfolios, risk, and decisions work.
SAFEs, Convertible Notes and Priced Rounds: A Plain-English Primer
How the three most common ways to fund an early-stage company differ, and what investors and founders should understand before signing.
A First-Pass Due Diligence Checklist for Early-Stage Investors
A practical checklist covering team, product, finances, ownership, and legal basics to review before investing in an early-stage company.
Using Creator Video in Your Marketing: The Permissions Checklist
Short-form creator video can power a small brand's marketing, but only with clear permission. A plain-English checklist for businesses and creators.
Building a Brand From Scratch: Five Lessons for New Founders
Practical lessons for founders starting a brand with limited budget: clarity, consistency, proof, and patience.