Birthing A Different Kind of Pandemic Baby

I started writing this book in March 2014.

While cafe-hopping with my friend, Charlie, I started documenting our conversations in my notebook. Sometimes, when I hurriedly wanted to jot down an insight, I’d save it in my inbox. One day, I had an idea: “Charlie,” I said, “why don’t we write a book together? Whenever I share one of our insights with someone, I see it have a significant impact on them.”

He was hesitant, but he agreed. I should’ve taken the hesitance as an answer.

He backed out a few weeks later. “You’ve done quite a bit for your age, and your story is inspiring, but your accomplishments, compared to other authors, are relatively small. Plus, no one knows who you are.?I’m not ready to write a book, either.”

I tried not to take it personally, and eventually ended up agreeing with him.

I kept all the book notes safe, in case I ever got the courage to take it again. But my book was shelved—for the time being.?

And, looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. Shortly after this, I went through a major lifequake, and all thoughts of writing a book went out of the window.

Planting the Seeds of Innovation Starts With I

Let’s back up a bit.

It was September 2013. I had been living in the US for two years, after living between the Dominican Republic, Montreal, Brazil, and Italy for several years. After some persistence from the then-organizer, Anirudh Narayan, I found myself at a business bootcamp that would change my life.?

This one event unlocked my story.

I was working a 9-5 at (what I thought would be) my dream job at an international organization—and had just exited the crazy entrepreneur life after selling two internet businesses earlier that year.

I was still hungry, but hadn’t identified what for, and that event was the first step out of my comfort zone.?

When I initially became an entrepreneur, I never considered myself as one. I had never:

• Studied entrepreneurship
• Attended networking events
• Been to entrepreneurship conferences
• Had access to mentors or investors
• Been part of a community of entrepreneurs

But after attending that business bootcamp, I discovered that I had always been one. As I went through my lifequakes and reinventions, I was constantly attracting aspiring entrepreneurs into my life—and rightly so, since they helped me find my sweet spot and shaped me into the person I am today.

I quit being so embarrassed and shy, and started embracing my story. I ended up landing the coolest part-time job I’d ever had at Elance (now Upwork)—to sponsor startup events, tell my story to other entrepreneurs, and teach them how to build their own remote team to grow their business.

As I advised many other entrepreneurs and startups, I wondered: How could I do it all over again? I longed to be an entrepreneur again… but I didn’t know how. I was comfortable in my job and had ticked off most of the boxes of what success used to mean to me… but I was still unhappy. How could I unleash the entrepreneur within myself? How could I truly help others if I couldn’t help myself?

Innovation is an accelerated journey of personal transformation.

An Unexpected Catalyst In Africa

Five years later, I was conducting Design Thinking workshops and building communities all over the world while helping them develop an innovative mindset. I had taken on the self-proclaimed title of a hybridpreneur, and I enjoyed every minute of it—as frustrating and exhausting as it was to introduce myself.

I had nearly forgotten about the book.

Until my birthday: March 26, 2019.?

I was at iCampus, an innovation hub in Monrovia, Liberia, facilitating a design thinking workshop for social entrepreneurs and changemakers.?

Some people showed up early.?

“Can we take a photo with you? Can I get your autograph?”?

Many of the entrepreneurs thought I was a best-selling author.

It gave me a jolt. What could I leave these entrepreneurs with after this workshop? How could I spread my impact to the communities I wasn’t able to reach? After seeing the innovative solutions that emerged from the workshop, I wondered: If what I had to share gave a lot of value to others, why hadn’t I consolidated it into a book yet??

During my time in Monrovia, I committed to making the book happen, and spent the rest of the year writing the first draft.

Taking A Proactive Reinvention Pause

Then the pandemic hit. With trips and gigs canceled, I found myself in a mini lifequake. Was it time to reposition myself, as I had done countless times before? I could feel a reinvention on its way. I decided to focus on giving value to others.?

I found myself helping out friends and colleagues who were launching a book, a brand, or a business. Whether it was advice for a successful book launch, hiring and managing a remote team, getting a TEDx talk, or a solid strategy on building an engaging platform, I was doing everything I could to help them out.

Pretty soon, I came to the conclusion that while they loved my advice, what they needed was active leadership, not thought leadership. I had to focus on becoming an active leader.?

We don't just need thought leaders. We need more active leaders.

So during the day, I focused on building an accelerator that could actually help entrepreneurs grow successful businesses, and not just overwhelm them with more education and information. In the small moments I could spare in early mornings and late nights, and most of my weekends, I worked on the book.

My team at Ripple Impact grew from 2 to 16 within a year, and we no longer just helped on vision and strategy. We rolled our sleeves up and also helped with execution, design, and other creative services.

And that’s a story I’m still telling.

If I could only make one wish, I hope that this book lands into the hands of those who most need it. An aspiring or early-stage entrepreneur (especially young entrepreneurs and female founders) with a drive for personal and business growth, a professional seeking to make a career pivot or amidst transition, or a leader who wants to develop an innovative mindset.

Innovation Starts With I will be available on November 1st, 2021.