CEO Essentials

Giving Thanks

November 28, 2020 /

Success as an entrepreneur depends on the contributions of many. I appreciate all the support, engagement, and encouragement over the years and ventures.

Thanksgiving is always a time of introspection for me. I like to reflect for a few moments on what is important and what I am thankful for.  In this crazy 2020 year, I decided to look back over the past months, years, and decades and recognize what I am thankful for as a startup CEO. Here is a list:

  • I am thankful for my co-founders. Since I am not an inventor of amazing new technologies, my co-founders have always contributed that special sauce of technical innovation that makes a difference in the world.  As I think about each and every one of these incredibly creative individuals, I am endlessly impressed by their insights and perseverance to translate those insights into game-changing products.

  • I am thankful for my investors. These are the people who put their money where their mouth is.  They are willing to take a risk and believe in a vision that has never been realized before. These smart and insightful people provide the fuel to turn an idea into a company. I am thankful for their support, their insights, and their faith.

  • I am thankful for my teams. No one builds a meaningful company alone. There are so many talents needed to cover all the functions required to deliver great solutions to customers. Different people bring their gifts and commitment to the team – and make a difference.  They take the risk of joining a startup and contribute every day as we execute our plans.

  • I am thankful for supportive families. Working in a startup demands an intensive commitment – and that cannot just be the team members. Family members who are willing to back the dreams of their family are essential.  I never want to discount how vital their support is.

  • I am thankful for our domain advisors.  These are the people who believe so strongly in the need and the potential for something to make a difference that they pour their heart and insight into helping shape the emerging product into something beneficial. I have been asked, “please don’t leave me out,” and “here is what would make a difference,” and “really, you can do that?”  Their feedback helps translate a concept into a profoundly useful product – and success wouldn’t be possible without the generous, early contribution of those who want the idea to become a reality and are willing to provide their unique input to make it so.

  • I am thankful for our suppliers. As a startup, we often leverage the skills, capabilities, and resources of suppliers to develop and build our products. Treating them as the valued partners they are and helping them succeed also helps build fruitful relationships in which they provide insights to help us accomplish our objectives and are willing to share resources to help us succeed.

  • I am thankful for our customers. Early adopters are bold trailblazers who are willing to try something new and turn it into value for their work. It is not easy to see how something could be made better.  And it is not easy to overcome institutional barriers to buy something new. Yet without that early validation that comes in the form of paying for new products, startup companies would never succeed.

It takes a community to build something out of nothing.  Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have made possible the previously unaccomplished! I could never have done any of it without you!

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16 Comments

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    November 28, 2020 at 9:04 am

    I’ve learned so much from your writings, thank you for pouring your heart into your blogs. Your writings have given me the strength to keep moving forward into my entrepreneurial journey – you’re an amazing mentor, you’re sincere and your thoughts are uplifting.

    Your achievements are legendary and I’m a huge fan. I wish you the best for today and every other day.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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