Comments on: The Entrepreneurial Myth: do you want to work alone, to watch your big idea die, and to sweep the floor? Try this instead. http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/ Time-saving reflections on lifehacking, social media, and technology. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:51:36 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Barbara Saunders http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-52771 Barbara Saunders Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:46:16 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-52771 Interesting ... I think part of the problem is that "entrepreneurship" is used too broadly AND some people are unclear both about what their goal really is and about the right strategies and tactics to get them there. If all you want is to practice your craft without a boss looking over your shoulder, then you need to open a small business or consulting firm - not get venture capital or manage a ton of employees. Chances are, you'll make just about what you made doing it for somebody else - maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Chances are, your schedule and flexibility level will be somewhat similar to what you have now - you aren't prevented by a rule from going to your kids' game but you may have to be up all night doing what tech support did in your job. Interesting … I think part of the problem is that “entrepreneurship” is used too broadly AND some people are unclear both about what their goal really is and about the right strategies and tactics to get them there.

If all you want is to practice your craft without a boss looking over your shoulder, then you need to open a small business or consulting firm – not get venture capital or manage a ton of employees. Chances are, you’ll make just about what you made doing it for somebody else – maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Chances are, your schedule and flexibility level will be somewhat similar to what you have now – you aren’t prevented by a rule from going to your kids’ game but you may have to be up all night doing what tech support did in your job.

]]> By: Rob Wagner http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-49329 Rob Wagner Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:37:57 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-49329 Interesting concept of not rushing out to start a business just because you have a great idea. I know that in this market obtaining capital for any new business is difficult to say the least. I have used this principals that you mention the past few years and it has work very well for me. What I love to do has nothing to do with cash flow statements and what our stock price is that day. Sometimes if you just focused on what you are good at and enjoy you have a much better life. One word of caution. If you are good at what you do you may be asked to get more involved in your company. The last 6 months I have found myself without a boss and left with answering to a board of directors. This was a great post Jared Interesting concept of not rushing out to start a business just because you have a great idea. I know that in this market obtaining capital for any new business is difficult to say the least. I have used this principals that you mention the past few years and it has work very well for me. What I love to do has nothing to do with cash flow statements and what our stock price is that day. Sometimes if you just focused on what you are good at and enjoy you have a much better life. One word of caution. If you are good at what you do you may be asked to get more involved in your company. The last 6 months I have found myself without a boss and left with answering to a board of directors.
This was a great post Jared

]]> By: Nathan Ketsdever http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-47212 Nathan Ketsdever Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:07:45 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-47212 Great post and interesting e-book suggestion Jared. There are lots of people who are struggling to find jobs in this economy and both recommendations will come in handy for them. In terms of entrepreneurship, I've been reading Steve Blank who teaches at Stanford and includes the lean start up methodology from Ries in his own methodology. He refines ideas by being explicitly customer driven, because all business plans and pitches are just "hunches strewn together" without the experimentation. His methodology applies to most all technology start ups--although he suggests adapting his theory to each unique organization, business model and product. His list of books to read broken down by each proficiency is quite good as well. His sales related materials were particularly insightful for me, as it suggested proven texts from a experienced technology entrepreneur. Great post and interesting e-book suggestion Jared. There are lots of people who are struggling to find jobs in this economy and both recommendations will come in handy for them.

In terms of entrepreneurship, I’ve been reading Steve Blank who teaches at Stanford and includes the lean start up methodology from Ries in his own methodology. He refines ideas by being explicitly customer driven, because all business plans and pitches are just “hunches strewn together” without the experimentation. His methodology applies to most all technology start ups–although he suggests adapting his theory to each unique organization, business model and product.

His list of books to read broken down by each proficiency is quite good as well. His sales related materials were particularly insightful for me, as it suggested proven texts from a experienced technology entrepreneur.

]]> By: Sohit Karol http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-44070 Sohit Karol Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:20:49 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-44070 This is a great write up Jared! You've touched on some points no one ever talks about. Very useful advise. This is a great write up Jared! You’ve touched on some points no one ever talks about. Very useful advise.

]]> By: Jared Goralnick http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-44018 Jared Goralnick Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:20:51 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-44018 Walter, glad this was useful for ya. I think that we all should take a LOT more risks in our careers. But those risks should not JUST be to start a big business, there are lots of other options. So, we should act quickly, but we should recognize what options are out there besides going whole hog and building a software app or something. Mark, that means a lot--glad it's helped to clarify. Look forward to learning about the path you end up taking one day! Walter, glad this was useful for ya. I think that we all should take a LOT more risks in our careers. But those risks should not JUST be to start a big business, there are lots of other options. So, we should act quickly, but we should recognize what options are out there besides going whole hog and building a software app or something.

Mark, that means a lot–glad it’s helped to clarify. Look forward to learning about the path you end up taking one day!

]]> By: Mark http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-44017 Mark Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:49:14 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-44017 Jared, Thanks for a great post that has come at a relevant period in my life. Freedom is my 'thrill' and for a while now I have been contemplating the best way to engage my particular passion while achieving the independence I am seeking. This post has provided some further insight and helped to clarify which path I should take. Thanks. Jared,
Thanks for a great post that has come at a relevant period in my life. Freedom is my ‘thrill’ and for a while now I have been contemplating the best way to engage my particular passion while achieving the independence I am seeking. This post has provided some further insight and helped to clarify which path I should take.
Thanks.

]]> By: Walter http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-43902 Walter Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:18:41 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-43902 What you have stated here is an eye-opener. Many aspiring businesses forget to see the larger picture, that is why many fail. I believe in proper deliberation and preparation before plunging into any of our dreams. :-) What you have stated here is an eye-opener. Many aspiring businesses forget to see the larger picture, that is why many fail. I believe in proper deliberation and preparation before plunging into any of our dreams. :-)

]]> By: Jared Goralnick http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-43877 Jared Goralnick Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:45:47 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-43877 Thanks, Chuck! I'd be very curious to hear if anything comes from that reflection--keep me/us posted! Thanks, Chuck! I’d be very curious to hear if anything comes from that reflection–keep me/us posted!

]]> By: Chuck Westbrook http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-43875 Chuck Westbrook Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:40:22 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-43875 I agree with Tim. This post is challenging in the best sense of the word. Now I have some more self-reflection to do. I agree with Tim. This post is challenging in the best sense of the word. Now I have some more self-reflection to do.

]]> By: Jared Goralnick http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/entrepreneurial-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-43866 Jared Goralnick Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:42:36 +0000 http://www.technotheory.com/2009/10/the-entrepreneurial-myth-do-you-want-to-work-alone-to-watch-your-big-idea-die-and-to-sweep-the-floor-try-this-instead/#comment-43866 Thanks, Tim. Oh gosh, I'm just glad I didn't get into the whole "so you call yourself an entrepreneur" thing. Truthfully, it really doesn't matter what one calls oneself...but what does matter is that one sees there's not always glory in entrepreneurship, business ownership, whatever. The glory is in living out your dream, not living out some abstract concept that applies to some hypothetical career path. As for her idea, we'll chat. Thanks, Tim. Oh gosh, I’m just glad I didn’t get into the whole “so you call yourself an entrepreneur” thing. Truthfully, it really doesn’t matter what one calls oneself…but what does matter is that one sees there’s not always glory in entrepreneurship, business ownership, whatever. The glory is in living out your dream, not living out some abstract concept that applies to some hypothetical career path.

As for her idea, we’ll chat.

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