Intro: Office Hours, Not Just for Professors

In the startup ecosystem, “office hours” are often thought of as something only VCs, professors, or accelerators offer. But the truth is, any founder, especially those at the earliest stages, can use office hours as a powerful, low-cost tool to build community, credibility, and even traction.

This blog will walk you through how startup founders (especially immigrant and first-generation founders like many in our Janus Innovation Hub community) can run their own office hours to generate insights, meet future collaborators, and grow smarter, without a budget.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What startup office hours are
• Why they’re especially effective for early-stage and underrepresented founders
• How to set them up, step by step
• Examples and practical templates you can use right away

What Are Office Hours in the Startup World?

Startup office hours are recurring blocks of time you set aside each week to meet with people for short, focused conversations. These are not sales calls or pitch meetings. Think of them as a way to be helpful, learn from your audience, and build authentic relationships.

Who you meet with is up to you, it could be fellow founders, potential users, community members, aspiring team members, or just curious people who need a hand.

And the best part? You don’t need any fancy tools or authority to do it. Just a willingness to help, a calendar link, and a little structure.

Why Run Office Hours as a Startup?

Office hours are especially powerful for early-stage and first-generation founders because they:

• Build trust and visibility in your niche
• Help you understand the pain points and language of your ideal user
• Sharpen your storytelling and messaging through repetition
• Attract aligned team members, advisors, or collaborators
• Provide a no-pressure way to explore potential leads or opportunities

Founders from immigrant or overlooked communities often lack access to traditional networks. Office hours flip the script, you invite others into your space and offer value on your own terms.

How to Set Up Office Hours in 7 Simple Steps

1. Define Who You Want to Help
Start by narrowing your focus. Who are you best positioned to help or learn from right now?
Examples:

• Iranian students who want to start businesses in the U.S.
• Solo founders building mobile apps
• New immigrants navigating the startup visa process
• Designers exploring co-founder opportunities

2. Pick a Clear Topic or Theme
Avoid vague titles like “Ask Me Anything.” Be specific to attract the right people.
Examples:

• “Need Feedback on Your Pitch Deck?”
• “Free 15-Min Chat for First-Time Founders”
• “Questions About Launching a Startup as an F-1 Student?”

3. Use a Simple Scheduling Tool
Use Calendly, TidyCal, or SavvyCal to make it easy for people to book a slot.

• Set 1–2 hours per week (e.g., Tuesdays from 4–6pm)
• Limit sessions to 15–20 minutes
• Add 1–2 intake questions like: “What’s your biggest current challenge?”

4. Share It Authentically
Promote it on your LinkedIn, Telegram, WhatsApp groups, or Discord. Don’t oversell, just state your intention clearly.
Example post:
“Opening up a few weekly slots to talk with early-stage founders or students curious about building startups in the U.S. No strings attached, just a chat to help you move forward. Book a time here: [link]”

5. Keep the Conversation Simple and Focused
Use this structure:

• 2 minutes: Intro and context
• 5 minutes: Let them explain their situation
• 10 minutes: Offer guidance or relevant resources
• 3 minutes: Wrap-up and suggested next steps

6. Reflect and Capture Insights
After each session, jot down quick notes:

• What question came up the most?
• What surprised you?
• Was there something unclear about how people found you or explained their problem?

These notes become valuable data. You’ll start noticing patterns that can shape your product, messaging, or future blog content.

7. Turn Insights into Content or Features
You don’t need to do anything fancy. Just share the lessons or themes you keep hearing.

• Write a blog post: “What I Learned from 10 Conversations with Immigrant Founders”
• Create a one-page FAQ
• Start a short podcast or YouTube playlist with snippets
• Build a community around the most common pain points

Real Example: Zara’s Pivot After Office Hours

Zara, a solo founder building a career platform for international students, ran weekly office hours on LinkedIn. She kept getting questions not about jobs, but about how to connect with alumni who had succeeded in the U.S.

She pivoted to create a tool that enables warm introductions between students and alumni, and saw engagement skyrocket. Her new direction came directly from listening, not guessing.

Tools to Use Today

• Calendly – Free version works well, easy to set up
• Notion or Google Docs – To track what you’re hearing and share helpful resources
• Canva – To design a quick flyer or social media post
• Telegram or Slack – To share your link in founder groups

Next Step: Your Turn

Start with just one hour a week.

Pick a niche you know well. Share it in a small group, community, or even on LinkedIn. Keep it simple, helpful, and consistent. You’ll be surprised how fast you gain insights, build relationships, and grow your reputation, without spending a cent.