Living how most people won’t, so you can live as most people can’t
This is a cool line, but is that really what entrepreneurship is about?
It suggests that it all boils down to making a giant sacrifice in pursuit of life-changing wealth.
But is that really it?
I have no doubt that there are a lot of people here on LinkedIn who are building companies because they want to get rich. And there’s nothing wrong with that…
But what if you get wiped out?
What then?
Because the numbers don’t lie.
More than 90% of you will fail.
I feel I can speak about this because I did it myself.
My first startup was—for me—all about riches and “being a founder”.
I wasn’t passionate about what the business did. I was passionate about what the business did… for me.
When it failed, luckily(?!) I learned a valuable lesson.
Building a startup isn’t worth the risk if it’s ONLY about money.
I now believe startups have to be about something else, and it’s something I ask every founder I speak to when they apply to start a company with DQ.
For some, it’s about purpose. The mission.
For others, it’s about learning and developing.
For me, it’s about freedom.
Being free to:
- Do what I love doing (which is building something and helping people).
- Choose my colleagues and investors.
- Choose my own hours.
- Choose my own path.
I’m sure everyone is different, and I expect some people will disagree with me.
(If my first startup had made money, maybe I’d disagree myself.)
How about you?
I’d genuinely love to know… why do you turn up to work every day?
Be honest.
P.S. Of course I also want to make money. I want to spoil my family, friends and my team. And I want my shareholders to make GIANT returns on their investments. Wish us luck!🍀
