Why I Love Being An Entrepreneur

Hey everyone, I wanted to share my new job update with you, this is LinkedIn after all.  Starting tonight I will be the newest Guest Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank! Since the announcement on social media a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about being an entrepreneur. Rather than responding to individual questions, I took some time to really sit down and think about why I love being an entrepreneur and what advice I would give to others. The more I thought about it the more it came down to one simple idea, or perhaps more accurately, one simple goal.

I feel very fortunate to be able to call myself an entrepreneur. There are few things in this world as exhilarating as hatching an idea and watching it turn into reality. I have started several successful businesses (and a few not-so-successful ones) and I have to say, it never gets old. But the exciting part for me is not the financial rewards or the recognition, not by a long shot. The single most important part of being an entrepreneur, and the fuel that drives me every day, is the ability to impact the lives of others through business. 

Historically the task of improving lives has been left to government and non-profits. Over the last 15 years, however, we have seen a culture shift in the way businesses have jumped into the fray. TOMS and the One for One movement were a huge part of that shift and, I have to say, we had a lot of fun in the process. Now I spend my time working with an amazing team at Madefor and we are using neuroscience to help people become the best version of themselves. We hear from our members all the time what a difference it is making in their lives. And that, again, is a ton of fun. Making a profit is great (and trust me, I’m all for it) but it doesn’t come close to the thrill of knowing that someone’s life is better off because of you.  The more you give the more you live.

But it’s not just about good vibes. As an entrepreneur, focusing on people is simply good business. When your purpose is truly about making this world a better place, you are constantly seeking new ideas and creative solutions to problems because failure is not an option. These ideas almost always end up being unique because the traditional business models have been about profits and not people.  

I have taken the same approach to investing. It gives me so much joy to partner with fellow entrepreneurs who are committed to finding creative and profitable ways to make this world a better place. While I was sitting in the chair on Shark Tank it was so fun to listen to the stories and pitches of budding entrepreneurs young and old. Part of the job of a Shark is to give advice and to make a business deal, but honestly, I was inspired by these businesswomen and men. Seeing the fire in their eyes and knowing that they, like me, want to create a better world, was such a joy.  

Being an entrepreneur is far more than a job for me, it’s a calling. It’s the ability to move quickly, try new things, and build movements in the areas I care about. It’s working with people I look up to whether they are interns straight out of college or Navy SEALs. It’s the opportunity to create a lasting brand and make money.  But above all else, it’s my way of making this world a better place by focusing on improving the lives of others.

I encourage you to tune-in tonight at 8/7c on ABC to the season premiere of Shark Tank! I’m so excited for everyone to finally see the episode.