Dreamcatchers Digest - September 2023

In the fast-paced and dynamic world of entrepreneurship, founders embark on an exhilarating journey to turn their dreams into reality. Building a business from the ground up demands unwavering dedication, passion, and relentless determination. As founders, we invest not only our time and resources but also our hearts and souls into the venture. Our business becomes an extension of ourselves, shaping our identity and purpose.

However, as our businesses grow and evolve, we inevitably face a challenging decision: the Founder's Exit Paradox. This paradox stems from the very essence of our entrepreneurial spirit, where the qualities that drive our success can also become the stumbling blocks to a graceful exit. Letting go of something we've nurtured and cherished can be emotionally wrenching, but it is a crucial aspect of our growth as entrepreneurs and individuals.

The Founder's Exit Paradox centers around the conflict between our personal and professional identities. On one hand, our emotional attachment and sense of accomplishment are deeply entwined with the business. We have poured countless hours, energy, and passion into making it thrive. On the other hand, we must recognize that our identity extends beyond being a founder. The success or failure of the business does not solely define our worth.

As entrepreneurs, we often fear that exiting the business might signify a failure or a lack of commitment. This paradox of identity can leave us hesitant, trapped in the familiar and comfortable space of the business we've built. However, embracing the paradox and recognizing the opportunity for growth and new beginnings is a mark of true entrepreneurial maturity.

The Founder's Exit Paradox is an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey—one that challenges us to redefine our identity and embrace change. As founders, we must recognize that our businesses are stepping stones to even greater accomplishments, and our worth extends beyond the enterprises we build.

By navigating the paradox with courage, humility, and a forward-looking vision, we can gracefully exit our businesses and step into a new chapter of personal and professional growth. Embrace the Founder's Exit Paradox as a transformative process, a journey of letting go, and a pathway to unlocking a future of boundless possibilities.

- J

Interview with Duron Chandler

How would you introduce yourself to young entrepreneurs or investors?

Hello, my name is Duron Chandler and I help individuals who are seeking to live a life of?prosperity. I took the lessons life provided me on my path to prosperity?and organized them into a repeatable process that I help people implement in their lives. This leads to positive?changes in how people handle their finances and time.?

What is your motto in life?

I?live by four words and each word has a double meaning. RUN, LIFT, STRIVE, CREATE.??

• RUN – (1) Put one foot in front of the other at a pace faster than when?you walk.

(2) Run to and through your problems

• LIFT – (1) Put a stress?on your body that forces it to grow. (Strength train)

(2) ?Lift up (encourage) people, businesses, and situations?

• STRIVE – (1) Swim or Cycle further out than you planned so you can learn what you are made of on the return trip.

(2) Be familiar with your limits and test them often.?

• CREATE – (1) You are ultimately responsible for creating the life?you want.

??????????? (2) Create the relationships, moments, and memories that fulfill your soul's desires.??

Who is your role model in life, and why?

My life has consisted of many role?models. I typically pull on certain traits that I admire in individuals that will serve me well as a man. As I've entered the journey of fatherhood of 2, I've been learning from the more experienced fathers in?my close circle who?have been winning at home as well as in their business endeavors (W2- entruepurnship )? I have been learning a lot from Dr. James Bryant and Jerome Myers.?

Read the full interview here.

Avoid the DIY Death Trap – Brandon Vaughn

Have you ever wondered how to transition to entrepreneur, even without formal business education?

In this episode, we listen to his story of transitioning from working with his dad full-time since the age of 13 to launching his own business. Despite having yet to formal education in business, Brandon was able to make it successful through mentorships, coaches, and taking risks outside his comfort zone. We'll discuss the importance of having a good team and the value of resilience in achieving success. Additionally, we'll explore selling one's business, including the emotional roller coaster that comes with it, investing in people and systems, and building a network of trusted advisors.

Quotes

Time is infinitely more valuable than money. You can give money away. You can lose it. You can earn it. But time is a currency that we spend every hour, every minute, every second, whether we want to or not. – Brandon Vaughn

Don't fall into the DIY death trap. We feel compelled to do it ourselves because it sounds too expensive to hire someone. Any good employee will never be a liability to your company. The cost is irrelevant. – Brandon Vaughn

Listen to the full episode

Due Diligence Fatigue Can Ruin Your Exit - Randy Woods

Hustle, integrity, and recognizing weaknesses can lead to success.

In this episode, we talk to Randy Woods about his journey starting a technology company in 1995 with his university housemate, despite having yet to gain prior training or knowledge about the internet. Hear how they grew it to 120 people operating in four countries and sold it in 2017. He'll discuss his experience learning from his former employer how to handle team members leaving to start their gigs by investing in their new ventures. Finally, he'll talk about his current role at Valtech, where he helps bring new companies into the fold and build a portfolio of companies.

Quotes

If you're a founder, and it's your firm, and you bring people in, you're responsible for many mortgages once you get up to a big payroll. So, you have a responsibility there to them that goes beyond just making sure the banks are happy. - Randy Woods

Having somebody work through some of the realities of what life, after the check clears, is like would have been helpful. - Randy Woods

Listen to the full episode

Engineer Your Success - Dr. James Bryant

Success in your personal and professional life are two sides of the same medal. These can be achieved by blending personal advancement with career progression and balancing work and home life.

In this episode, Dr. James offers insightful methods, advice, and tactics that have enabled engineering professionals to enhance their leadership abilities, improve their communication skills, and create vision. Learn his inspirational motivation, his pursuit of constant development, and his aspiration to bring value to his clients and society. Dr. James also shares the need to revolutionize one's personal and professional life to unveil one's hidden potential. It's not about two separate entities; rather, it understands that they are two aspects of the same medal, which can be fulfilled through cooperative efforts to boost efficiency and profitability.

Quotes

The big difference between an amateur and a professional is that when an amateur doesn't feel like showing up, they don't. But when a professional doesn't feel like showing up, they understand that they still need to show up. - Dr. James Bryant

There are many people who know what to do, and there are fewer people who know how to do it, but there's only a select group of people who take action and take ownership. And they live the life of their dreams. - Dr. James Bryant

?Listen to the full episode

P.R.O.S.P.E.R. Principles - Duron Chandler

In this episode, we're joined by Duron Chandler, founder of Chandler Prosperity Group, whose empowering Prosper Principles equips people to bridge the income-expense gap and achieve proper financial security.

Duron shares his Prosper Principles - seven steps that can help create a gap between income and expenses and achieve financial security and clarity. Listen in to learn how to practice selective extravagance, unpack childhood experiences impacting spending habits today, and use funds instead of saving money. Learn about personal finance and pick up tips on how to be intentional and focused when it comes to achieving financial independence.

Quotes:

The money needs to have a purpose instead of just sitting inside the bank. It needs to be working so we can create more money. - Duron Chandler

All your dollars should have a plan. That's why I don't call it savings. - Duron Chandler

Listen to the full episode