What Can You Learn From Start-Ups…No Matter How Experienced You Might Be or How Small They Are?

In high school, I used to entertain at children’s birthday parties with my friend and classmate, Judy L. She played great guitar and had a beautiful voice. I had a passable voice—loud…shocking, right? LOL!!! I did OK magic and told great stories. Together we rocked the East Side of NY birthday circuit, and for two kids, we did nicely for a Sunday's work.

That was my first start-up.?

In college, I started selling ad copy. I took on a few small clients of my own and actually created some local campaigns complete with media placements and all the bells and whistles. My second.?

Third, Mimsar, was with a partner who became—and still is like—my older brother. Raphi M. is a brilliant graphic artist, and together we took on the fledgling Israeli High Tech industry in the early 1980s where, in a crucible of fire, I was baptized in the sector that would lead me to work with IBM, MSFT, Dell, and others on a global level.?

Fourth was Genesis Direct/Pro-Team Direct, a business where I was part of the founding team of three. Warren S., Hunter C., and I were early—very early digital/omnichannel retail pioneers—way too early actually…(boom to bust), but I’d do it all again in a second because the learning curve was straight up, like a Saturn rocket, and every day was an adventure. Amazing people surrounded us and amazing accomplishments. Until….

Fifth was returning to Y&R and starting a little business focused on using all channels (early total media) and new ways to get to the end results quicker and better. My first year was amazing…until the company was sold and I re-entered the mainstream with Wunderman…a story for another time and a good one!

Sixth is DoAble, the little high-end Branding IP group I was blessed to start with two talented and purposeful friends and partners: Robin D. (the Do in DoAble) and Rachel K., our indomitable spirit.?

Lest you think that I played golf (not very well) in between…let me be clear that even as I ran the biggest accounts, offices, and companies of some of the primo brands in the industry (Burson-Marsteler; Cohn&Wolfe; VMLY&R; Wunderman), I always tried to keep an entrepreneurial spirit and start-up feeling in my team, group, and company.?

I share all of the above to explain why I love being a start-up catalyst. You see, by definition, a catalyst is something or someone that quickly causes change or action. My view is that when I work with start-ups, they are the experts…not me. What I can add is the chemical that helps it all bubble quicker and hopefully better, getting to real results and market faster and more efficiently. Let me add that I learn so much from them that it increases my catalytic reserve every time. What I put in is never as much as I take out…a blessing!?

Finally, I am paying back and forward all the mentors, teachers, partners, and friends I have had along the way who were my catalysts that got me to where I am today.?

All of which…stay with me…is why I am sharing the amazing experience I had in an incredible incubator with a lively and motivated group of early-stage start-ups.?

The S/A/R Academy in Riverdale (the school my parents helped establish and where my siblings,wife,children,nieces and nephews,grandchildren, and grandnieces and nephews attend) invited me to work with a Pre-K class, “Gan-Rimon.”

The children, together with their wonderful teachers, were busy writing a book part of their “Story Making” class curriculum. As the author of a children’s book myself, “What Would You Wish For,” I was there to answer the very smart and thoughtful questions they had prepared…including “How Old Are You?”OIY…and then read my book to them.

It was my catalyst gig on steroids, as once again, I learned so, so much and left feeling not just fulfilled,but refilled and refueled for the next.?

I am blessed to have been exposed to and worked with many start-ups—some household names today—but nothing can compare to the really early-stage start-ups who inspired and taught me this week.?

And they really LOVE BOOKS!

Remember, in the end, big has never really beaten small—not in the long run. Out of the mouth of babes… #changetheworld