Start a company. Do consulting. Work for a company. I’ve been going back and forth between these options – stuck in the thinking that these are the only options. As I try to step back and reorder my thinking, one memory keeps playing itself like a broken record.
I was talking on a panel about entrepreneurship at Stanford University. It was me and another guy (younger than me) who started a company. I explained that I thought passion was a large component of entrepreneurial success because it is what can carry you through what are sure to be the many rough spots in the experience.
My panel partner objected. He believed that the only thing an entrepreneur should worry about and/or needed was a profitable business model. He could have left his comments at that but instead he turned to me and said, “You know what your problem is Alicia?”
I pulled my upper body back steadying myself for the blow (childhood habits die hard) and unfortunately never even questioned whether I had a problem. I was sure I did.
“You care how you make money,” he sneered, emphasis on the “care.”
I didn’t know how to respond and thus, didn’t. But his words have cropped up for me ever so often. Especially when doubt and uncertainty clouds my vision, my possibilities as a person.
Is it wrong to care? Does caring automatically hinder my judgement or thus makes me ill-equipped to be an entrepreneur?
I don’t know that there is a right answer. Everyone has their own way of approaching a problem. His is maybe more analytical than mine, but it doesn’t make his right. Even when business can seem so black and white.
My way is how I approach my life. I care. I care deeply about the things I do, the people in my life and how I live my life. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea and many might cringe at my earnestness, but it’s who I am. So who cares? I do.
Glad you like it!
Good post. I also care. A lot.
I think the voices of people who care and speak from experience are way too often drowned out by those that try to show off and cloak what they have to say in jargon.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope that mentoring entrepreneurs or students (or something like that) plays some part in it. There aren’t enough voices like yours in the entrepreneurial conversation (at least here in Chile, as Chile tries to build Chile-con Valley…)
While I’m not sure who this entrepreneurship pannel guy is, I think that regardless, he’s clearly narrow minded, and I fundamentally disagree with his POV.
You can have the most fantastic business plan, and be in a great position to take over a market, but the motivation to put in long hours, and the passion to inspire your founding team are so critical — Here’s to caring!
Great post Alicia. I think you are taking the right approach… your consistent values give you something to fall back on when careers or businesses change. I don’t know your co-presenter but he sounds as though he has a touch of hubris.
I have met many similar people who “knew” they had all of the “right” answers (sounds like a current presidential candidate) on Wall Street and in Corporate America over the last 15 years. When bubbles pop or industries veer sharply all of their certainty comes to a screeching halt! Too many people lead an unexamined life but eventually they will be forced to reconcile with it.
One of my favorite interview questions (from author Dan Pink) is “Are you lucky?” You will quickly understand what type of person you are dealing with. I would bet that your co-presenter would answer “No.” that he has “made” his own luck. A somewhat true but very shallow response.
Good luck in your journey!
Matt – thank you! You made my day.
Ross – yes! Thank you for the comment.
Leslie – thank you, thank you! And yes, mentoring other entrepreneurs and students is something I think I will always do. I so want to see others go after what they truly want.
Ross – yes! Thanks so much for the comment.
Couldn’t sleep from the excitement/anxiety of getting ready to start my own firm, read your “20 things learned”. I feel much better, thank you for sharing.
Great to hear! I wish you the best in what is sure to be a crazy but wonderful journey.