An Entrepreneurial Counterfactual

?? Fellow start up leaders, entrepreneurs and startup advisors! ??

It's time to wake up and smell the coffee......

I know we are a competitive bunch, but I'm starting to get a sense for some of the "expert advice" out in the market right now that's making some of our rising stars brains explode.

I honestly can't help but feel we're setting a completely unreasonable expectation and impossible bar for the next generation of tech start up founders.

YES. You will have to commit to the start up grind. YES - it's not easy.

But damn... it SHOULD be fun. Like everything in life. There will be good days and bad.

So bear with me and strap in for a fresh perspective....

In my opinion, you SHOULD:

1?? Define a Clear Vision + Stay Focussed. Understand what problem you're solving, what you stand for, and how your product or service provides unique value.

2?? Embrace Adaptability & Risk: In my experience, the closest analogy to building a business is raising your very 1st tama. It's scary. It's dynamic and ever-changing. It will make you smile and laugh one day, then almost simultaneously take a figurative dump in your lap.

So embrace adaptability. Be brave. Take risks. Be willing to pivot and have your mind changed when necessary. ALWAYS be open to feedback, learn from failures, be accountable and iterate on your ideas.

3?? Build a Strong Network: Find your tribe. Hint: this should NOT be an echo chamber for your shitty ideas. Surround yourself with a supportive network of ride or die. That will tell you the truth, challenge and debate. Invest time with diverse mentors, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs. Put yourself out there. But be clear about who is both on your side and IN YOUR CORNER. Attend industry events, join startup communities, and leverage online platforms to connect with like-minded individuals.

4?? Focus on your customer, your whanau and mahi: They are all equal parts that make up the heart of your business. Invest time to nurture genuine relationships. Understand their needs, pain points, and preferences. Explore their individual and collective desires and goals. Don't be shy about mixing work and pleasure. Continuously gather feedback - daily. And use it to be better. Prioritise delivering exceptional customer experiences to build loyalty and advocacy.

5?? Build a backbone but be like water. Develop Resilience and Persistence. But don't hold onto any negativity. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs and a lot of commentary and opinion (some more qualified than others). Develop resilience to overcome challenges and setbacks. Learn from failures, stay positive, and keep pushing forward. Persistence is key when faced with obstacles, and it often separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.

Remember, building a successful startup is a journey that requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt. But always stay true to your passion, by doing these things you will definitely increase your chances of achieving entrepreneurial success. ??

But... there is not guaranteed "10 step process or daily routine" for greatness. No matter what that guy driving a lambo on instagram sold you.....

It's OK to be you... But you're going to have to forge your own path!

With that... I'd like to explore the wild world of "counterfactual entrepreneurship" - to be honest I'm laughing as I type......

???? Today, I present to you what I hope might be a bit of a laugh, light relief but maybe, just maybe even a game-changing secret sauce for anyone that needs to hear it.

My theory is one that directly defies the 1000's of the daily social media posts that are reinforcing an impossible lifestyle required to be a successful start up founder, leader and employee in 2023:

"There is NO RULE that says to be successful, ALL Entrepreneurs Must Wake Up at 3 AM to run a marathon in the dark, slip into an ice bath, followed by a shot of fish oil, chased by a "Swamp Juice Surprise" smoothie"*

(*Picture a blend of kale, spinach, celery, broccoli, and a dash of seaweed—all combined to create a murky, pond-like potion) ????

???? Let's face it: early mornings and ice-cold plunges are just NOT everyone's cup of tea (or smoothie).

Every founder and those brave enough to join a startup on the ground floor or levels 1-3 is a unique "beast."

Personally (and excluded from the next category) many of the most brilliant minds I have the pleasure of working with have thrived in the realm of "nightowlpreneurship." ???? *Shout to to my whanau at AWARE and CTB!!

Some thrive with the "juggle" - being a working mum or dad alongside building and nurturing a startup - just like it was another one of their own tamariki.

So... i dare you. IMAGINE a different start to the day (the polar opposite of that last life coach "reel" you saw told you). One where there is no morning alarm. One where you are woken by the dulcet tones of laughter, big smiling tamariki charging into your bedroom closely followed by "gorging" yourself on a 'buffet' of the cereal and toast left over by your 4 tamariki as you scramble out the door in the fog and rain on the way to do school drop off - energy only topped up by a caffeine "binge" straight from your personal "barista" at home - Signore Nespresso! ?

?? Instead... let me introduce you to a few of the more unique and less "tweeted" alternative entrepreneurial lifestyles - that might be more for you:

1?? The "Snooze-a-Lot Strategy": Who needs 4 AM wake-up calls when you can embrace the beauty of snoozing? A number of the best creatives and devs I know wake up whenever their body desires, and start their day with an all-you-can-eat hash-brown or even KFC feast. ????

2?? The "Warm Embrace Method": Forget about freezing ice baths at the start and end of your day that make you question your ultimate life choices. Instead, luxuriate in hot showers or warm bubble bath, complete with a rubber ducky and a glass of champers. ????

3?? The "Smoothie Revolution": "Swamp Juice Surprise" smoothies? One of my favourite Cisco Meraki whanau in the starts was a guy that ate an icecream every single day. So if thats your buzz, indulge in the daily joy of decadent delights and let your taste buds lead the way to entrepreneurial greatness. ????

4?? The "Midnight Brilliance Blueprint": Who says productivity only happens in the morning? I say, unleash your genius after midnight and create your own nocturnal empire. Embrace the beauty of moonlight, good tunes - working soundly knowing that your tama's are tucked up in bed, sound asleep - while you work on building a business that thrives under the stars. ????

5?? The "Power Napping Paradigm": Ditch the exhausting early mornings and embrace the power of strategic napping. Charge up your entrepreneurial spirit with quick bursts of snoozing just like a couple of tech weapons in greece and Italy that I know of, and watch your daily productivity decline while your creativity soars. ???

?? Remember, folks, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship!

Stop trying to be something you are NOT!

Embrace your unique rhythm, find what works for you and your tribe.

And never ever underestimate the power of laughter and joy on the path to success. ????

Let's celebrate the diversity of entrepreneurship!!!

Whether you're an early riser or a midnight conqueror, there's a place for you in the exciting world of tech startups

Let's build dreams, make people laugh, and disrupt the status quo one hilarious post at a time! ????

#EntrepreneurshipCounterfactual #EntrepreneurshipWithoutIceBaths #MidnightGeniusMovement #SwampJuiceRevolution #NapYourWayToSuccess