Eurekaship to Entrepreneurship

I recently joined Spintly , an access control company that stands out as a pioneer in incorporating BLE mesh technology worldwide. As I settle in, I've been intrigued by what motivates entrepreneurs to revolutionize traditional markets. Thus, this article stems from my need to understand the driving forces behind successful entrepreneurs and their strategies for navigating uncharted waters.?Join me on my Come Read With Me series. #CRMWseries

If you are a literary enthusiast like me, you must have heard or read this line at least once:

“I became what I am today at the age of twelve, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 1975.”

That’s right, it’s the first line from the infamous novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. The novel explores themes of redemption, guilt, friendship, and the complex relationships between fathers and sons. It received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth, establishing Khaled Hosseini as a significant voice in contemporary literature—a must-read.

Well, the first line of the book does not explicitly talk about linearity in a chronological or temporal sense. Read it again. Instead, the sentence narrates an event or realization that occurred at a specific point in time back in 1975 (in the winter of 1975, at the age of twelve), and as a consequence, he became "what I am today.". It combines details of the event (age, specific day in winter) with the consequence or result of that event (current state of being). This first line sets the tone for the rest of the plot.

Can you ever recall a moment in your life that made you... what you are today?

No matter what profession you are in right now or what situation you are living in, there must have been that one point in your life that either broke you or made you. Or was it characterized by a series of events that happened to you that brought you to this place? Everyone, at some point, has their “I found it!" or “I made it” moment.

Ever wondered when some of the topmost entrepreneurs in the world had their eureka moment?

Heard of Zukerberg ? His decision to create Facebook was influenced by his interest in computer programming, his experiences at Harvard, and the growing popularity of social networking among college students. While there wasn't a single defining moment, the success of Facemash made him believe he should go ahead and build something more substantial. If 19-year-old Zukerberg hadn’t created Facebook considering his background and skills, there are several plausible directions he might have taken: maybe he would have invested in another company or maybe he would become the best software developer, but he would just never be the next-door Brooklyn chap.

Let me narrate another story to explain why.

Well, how many times have you had a cup of coffee? If you are a coffee connoisseur or coffee aficionado, you must have just mused to yourself, “I wish I had a coffee factory and I could try different types of coffees... cappuccino, espresso, macchiato...” You get it.

Well, a man who was a director of retail operations on one of his companies’ business trips to Milan must have had the same thought.

After the trip, he must have walked down the lanes of Milan; he must have thought of the charm the place holds and the passion of the Italians that Shakespeare himself couldn’t resist portraying in so many of his plays, including the infamous Romeo and Juliet.

He must have sat in a chic coffee shop, sipping on some of the best coffee, and was captivated by the social aspect and quality of life in Italy. He probably thought about how he could capture such passion in his company that day. This man took back not a box of coffee but an idea to Starbucks' founders to test the concept of espresso bars in their stores.

Of course, his idea was rejected, but he didn’t give up; his next move was to leave Starbucks and start his own chain of coffeehouses based on this vision. That’s right, Howard Schultz , with his billion-buck’ idea, then went on to create his own company, Il Giornale, which eventually merged with Starbucks and adopted its name, leading to its global expansion. He wasn’t the founder of Starbucks, but this then-34-year-old man decided he might as well purchase it. His leadership was instrumental in Starbucks' evolution from a local coffee roaster to a global coffeehouse chain.

What made him go back and think he could do something different? What made Zukerberg go ahead and do what he did with Facebook? What was so special about them?

Jobs' leaving Apple in 1985 at the age of 30 was a turning point in his life. However, he learned that giving up wasn’t an option. Maybe that’s why he delivered a memorable commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, which is often referred to as one of his most inspiring speeches. He ended his speech with the iconic phrase, "Stay hungry, stay foolish," encouraging graduates to remain curious, take risks, and continue learning throughout their lives.

What’s so special about these entrepreneurs? They weren’t favoured by some Greek god, but what 19-year-old Zukerberg, 30-year-old Jobs, and many successful entrepreneurs at different points in their lives have in common is only one thing: belief! They trusted in their “own” instincts and believed that the dots would connect in the future.

Look at Christopher Robin , a character who is a friend to Winnie the Pooh. He says to him, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company and a pioneer in the automobile industry, famously said, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." This quote encapsulates Ford's philosophy on the power of mindset and belief in achieving success.

What if you come from a background that stifles your belief system?

What if there are seemingly good people who discourage you? And urge you not to try it because they have known you for 10+ years? What if you have way too many toxic people around you who tell you that you will amount to nothing? Or maybe you got rejected from a job because you stood for something they didn’t necessarily stand for?

It will stop you only if you let it make a home in your mind

Imagine you're on a mountain with your friend, and suddenly they slip and begin to fall. You don't have a rope to secure them, but you urgently reassure them, "Hold on tight! I'm right here. Help is on the way. You can do this. Nothing will happen if you hold on."

In this critical moment, your friend hears your voice echoing with conviction through the mountainside. Despite the terrifying descent, your unwavering belief in their strength and your promise of imminent help infuse them with a renewed determination.

As your friend hangs onto the mountainside, every second feels like an eternity. But with your words echoing in their minds—"You can do this"—they find an inner reserve of strength. The fear of falling is overshadowed by the hope you've instilled in them.

Minutes pass, but your friend holds on. They remember your reassurance, "Help is on the way," and it becomes their lifeline amidst the uncertainty. They feel the rocky surface beneath their fingers and the wind biting at their faces, but they also feel your unwavering support.

You will do that for your best friend, won’t you?

If you do what you are willing to do for your friend, then why can’t you let your own thoughts be your best friend. Eureka!

Don’t let your thoughts let you down.

When does an entrepreneur build an entrepreneurship?

An entrepreneur becomes a leader when he or she stops the negative talk in his or her tracks and pursues his or her dream with conviction. That’s when self-awareness becomes an integral part of who they are, and thus every trip, every conversation, and every situation become a moment of Eureka! It is then they identify a compelling opportunity in the market.

If you are an eagle but someone makes you believe you are a chicken, you are nevertheless a chicken. Despite your beautiful wings, you will still cluck like a chicken and live in a barnyard.

Therefore, if belief only remains a Eureka moment, you can never do anything with it. You have to back it with skills, persistence, and hard work. You have to start taking risks and making bold decisions. Many find pearls of ideas but don’t know what to do with them, it’s only then that you will turn your Eurekaship into an enterprise and take proactive steps to capitalize on the opportunity.

You will turn a deaf ear to the hows and what-ifs.

Entrepreneurs are who they are because they embarked on their journey to entrepreneurship with an innate belief.

If Zukerberg ever decides to write his autobiography or a memoir, I don’t know what his first line would be…But I know what he could have written if inspired by Hosseini:

“I became what I am today at the age of 19, on a frigid overcast day in the winter of 2004.” (Mark Zuckerberg launched theFacebook in February 2004: February is during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, including Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Harvard University is located.)

Simply because at that age he had a conviction, a belief so strong, he can look back at that exact moment, he would know! “I made it!”

If you are still in doubt as to what you want to do with your life, I urge you to think of the first line you will write for your autobiography or memoir. think of the moment, the season, and the inspiration, and don’t forget to say... Eureka! And dive right into it!

And if you think you are going to become the next entrepreneur by reading my piece, you won’t! Well, don’t believe me?        

Thank God!

Believe in yourself, and sail away!

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