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March 06, 2008
Notes from: “Confessions of a Parallel Entrepreneur”
On Tuesday night I spoke at the March 2008 meeting of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Entrepreneurship Club (eClub) which had their meeting at Tel Aviv University. The name of my talk was “Confessions of a Parallel Entrepreneur.”
During the talk I enjoyed the opportunity to speak about growing up as a Ham Radio operator and about my direct involvement in the development of the IP Communications industry from 1995 to the present. Some of the milestones covered included: the founding of the VON Coalition in 1996; the first VON Conference in April 1997; and the steps which lead to the FCC’s issuance of the “Pulver Order” in February, 2004.
I also had an opportunity to discuss my unique approach to entrepreneurship. A world where anything was possible and one where “Fear, Greed and Disruption” have become my three favorite words.
The following list are some of the things I cover when coaching friends who are thinking about launching a new startup:
- Believe in yourself. Find your own identity. Don’t conform. Be passionate. Share your passion. (It is very hard to get outside money for a project where the passion of the founder isn’t felt.)
- Nothing is Impossible. “Impossible is a frame of mind.”
- Follow your heart. Explore the opportunities which feel the BEST to you.
- Find your inner “Super Hero.” Those who do are able to stand apart from those who haven’t. In my book just about everyone is a “superhero.” It is just that for some people it takes a lifetime for people to discover what their special abilities are while others discover their abilities at an early age.
- Just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. Or can’t be done.
- Embrace your creative spirit. Encourage the discovering the unknown. Your “bad mistake” could be your discovery of a new technology; a new technique; a new solution to an existing problem.
- Know when to reboot your personal buddy list. If you have friends who don’t support your dreams or your efforts or your vision it may be time to find new friends.
- Avoid hiring people with negative energy; avoid the people who tell you what you are trying to achieve just can’t be done.
- Imagine the possible. When needed, close your eyes, “see your future.”
- Don’t let business models corrupt your dreams. Remember what inspired you to launch your business before allowing yourself to get distracted by trying to rationalize the business opportunities that may exist around you. Sometimes it can take years before a business model materializes.
- Be positive. Stay the course. Believe in yourself.
- Do the Unexpected. Challenge yourself, your team and your industry.
- "Being paranoid is ok."
- Understand that being lucky is also ok; don’t apologize. Being smart and lucky is a good thing too.
- Help make fun happen.
- Invest in your dreams
- Remember to give back to the community that helped you become you.
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So what about you? What is on your mind when you are living the startup lifestyle? How do YOU approach the challenges of being a startup? What kind of advice would you offer to would be Entrepreneurs?
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Readers of my blog are invited to join me on both twitter and Facebook.
Tags: startups, Entrepreneur , VON, VoIP, Internet Communications, Social Media, Jeff Pulver
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Posted by jeff on March 6, 2008 12:52 AM | Permalink
Additional resources: Watch PrimeTime TV Shows | Watch the Jeff Pulver Show | Jeff's Qik Videos
Comments
and so jeff finally getting a chance to respond to this oh-oh-mission impossible pulver-isms - i think there is more to this then meet the words on the page or our eyes - i think what you write about is a way of being and thinking and a mind opening mindset that many people are too obsessed with becoming rather then being and that what you say is be open to the promised land of dreams where the impossible is possible and that we should catch our dreams while we can - its all about re-inventing ourselves and making good mistakes in the end and in the beginning
be u jeff
g-oh
Posted by: geo geller at March 7, 2008 10:32 PM
I think one of the biggest challenges if not the biggest is the toll it takes on your family. You are constantly being pulled in two directions. The first is by your wife and kids and the second is by the responsibility and burning desire you feel with your start-up. For the first time in 9 years of marriage I missed my anniversary since I was out of the country. It is super hard being away sometimes and even when you are around you are not really around. Ultimately as entrepreneurs part of what we do is for the sake of our family as we are driven to take care of their needs.
I will say one thing though, if it was not for the support of my wife I would never succeed. That fact that she supports my every move is what keeps me going and to stay focused.
Posted by: Richard Kligman at March 7, 2008 03:49 AM
Great motivational post Jeff!! Very you and very appreciated by many. I definitely reinforce all your points and believe an important one is to always be innovative - an obstacle in your path just means you need to get creative on how to get pass it. Also collaborate and form partnerships. We're not in an environment where going at it alone makes any sense. Combine your strength with those of others than go out and kick some you know what!!
Posted by: Ann Bernard at March 6, 2008 01:34 PM
Thanks for this wonderful article! Definitely a keeper.
(am on twitter @mariadkins)
Posted by: Mari Adkins at March 6, 2008 12:44 PM
Awesomeness! Thanks to Brogan for sharing this!
He's right, this needs to be printed and hung on the wall. Wonderful stuff, Jeff!
I look forward to your Atlanta meetup in April!
Love what you're doing with the breakfast across America! Turning online friends into real life friends.
Pai
Posted by: paisano at March 6, 2008 11:47 AM
Feeling Hungry for success is a good thing. It helps keep the energy and engagement up. Also allows for good decisions and generally gives that extra push to see projects through. But Starving for a success creates desperation and usually leads to bad decisions.
Stay hungry... but don't starve.
Posted by: Vergel Evans at March 6, 2008 11:47 AM
a similar conversation has been ongoing at VT Knowledgeworks in Blacksburg - http://annegilesclelland.typepad.com/insidevtkw/
Posted by: Jeremy Hart at March 6, 2008 11:39 AM
The reason this has to become a real book is that your style is unique, and your convictions are strong. Reading this reminds me of the best of what you do. Seeing as you've garnered all kinds of press this week, you clearly have generated the results to back your opinions on this.
Posted by: Chris Brogan... at March 6, 2008 11:33 AM