The Work is the Win

Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure of joining nine clients, friends and family at the 2024 Loudoun Chamber Community Leadership Awards, where POUNCE Solutions was a finalist for the Small Business (0-100 employees) category.

The Community Leadership Awards were created to honor Loudoun businesses, nonprofits and leaders who positively impact the quality of life in the county and serve the needs of its citizens.

Of course, I was honored for POUNCE to be nominated, and thrilled when POUNCE was down-selected as one of four finalists. Despite being the leanest of teams - still very early in our business journey - we always save time to give back. That includes:

• providing pro bono marketing strategy and services to organizations like the Loudoun Coalition on Women and Girls and Project VETWERX;
• serving on the board of directors for the Loudoun Credit Union, and the Rural Economic Development Council;
• specializing in mission-driven clients, finding ways to better connect their impact story with target customers, donors and constituents;
• monetary, supply and in-kind donations to causes we support.

POUNCE Solution was founded on doing things differently, and we will always be guided by a different metric of success: The Work is the Win.

What do we mean by that? It means we find joy and accomplishment in the daily grind, working through tough problems together. We appreciate the journey, learning from the experiences gained along the way, and recognizing that growth and improvement are achievements in their own right.

This ethos has been the bedrock of our operations, shaping our approach to serving clients and engaging with this amazing community. We are propelled by the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of those we serve. There's nothing wrong with awards, but that doesn't move us.

Sitting at Table 39 in a crowded ballroom at the National Conference Center, surrounded by the people who have helped POUNCE start and grow, I was overcome by gratitude for the journey.

A little more than 25 months ago, I leaped from full-time employment into full-time entrepreneurship, thanks to the foundation laid by my business partner, Chris, who set POUNCE up to be successful. I'm grateful for you every day!

Since January 2022, it has been a full-time, non-stop grind to get to where we are today. That's many sleepless nights, creeping loneliness and doubt, difficult conversations, and stretching yourselves well beyond your limits.

When work is this intertwined with your life, it's a family business, and I could not do it without the incredible support of my wife, Kate, my kids, my mom and stepdad, my siblings and my in-laws. Thank you for your endless love and support!

Along the way, POUNCE has been uplifted by countless amazing people, including those who sat around the table on Thursday night. Looking at them, and the room beyond, it was clear: The Work is the Win.

When my brother-in-law, Jack, leaned over to ask if I was nervous, I truthfully said "No." I had already won in growing our community impact and reputation for doing things the right way. I had already won in the attention gained for our clients, and the ability to pull them into the spotlight alongside POUNCE.

https://youtu.be/s9XKtPvgb3A?si=9cBy5zy7aiRY-XUb

So, when the award ultimately went to (the very deserving) Natasha Magrath and You've Got Maids of Northern Virginia, I felt nothing but pride for her and heartfelt congratulations. I wasn't surprised and I'm glad she won. She is a remarkable human being doing amazing things for this community.

When my wife, Kate, asked how I felt later in the evening, my gut reaction was "Relieved." When you start a business, and bootstrap through the hard times, and bet your life and your family and your sanity on "doing things the right way," you find yourself repeating: "Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down."

Starting a business like this is walking a tightrope with everything you love at stake. To assess where you are in that journey is to risk second-guessing and watching it all fall apart. Award nominations like this are a brief excuse to reflect on how far you've come and to affirm the value of doing things the right way.

A heartfelt note of thanks to our esteemed guests and loyal clients who graced Table 39 with their presence. Your support is the cornerstone of our success, and it fuels our passion for storytelling in action.

Thank you also to the Loudoun Chamber and selection committee for this incredible spotlight and opportunity to reflect. Your example of community leadership, innovation and philanthropy continues to inspire us and many others.

Looking Ahead With POUNCE ??

Now, it's Monday again, and POUNCE is back to its relentless pursuit of excellence, and the unwavering commitment to solving problems that our clients and communities face.

As we move forward, I encourage you to carry the spirit of The Work is the Win with you. This mantra is not just a reflection of our past but a beacon for our future, guiding us toward new challenges and triumphs.

At POUNCE Solutions, we remain committed to delivering unparalleled service and fostering growth within our community.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey. Your belief in our vision and your unwavering support continue to inspire us every day. Here's to more wins, not just for us, but for the entire community we so proudly serve.

Together, we are making a difference. And that, in itself, is the greatest win of all.