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How happy do you think Beyoncé would be if she decided to coordinate her own concerts? How fulfilled do you think Sean Peyton would be if he personally took over the laundry responsibility for the Saints? While I'm sure they are both capable of completing these tasks, I think you would agree it would be a waste of their talents. What if you are wasting your talents because you're in the wrong position, company, or even industry? Maybe you are unsatisfied at your job or business because you are best suited to be a founder. A founder is simply anyone involved in the evolution of an organization. I believe this can include you if you are an employee, independant contractor, executive, business owner, or entrepreneur regardless of if you own the company. Read more to uncover if you are best suited to be a founder.
Related Post: Focus On Your Passion by Hiring a Virtual Assistant
Founders create something from nothing.
Traditionally a founder, or co-founder, is someone who starts an organization from scratch. I would like to challenge the simplicity of this definition. Could someone, who was not a part of the original creation of a business, become a founder? For example, who is the founder of Berkshire Hathaway? If you answered Warren Buffet, you would be wrong based on the traditional definition of a founder. Berkshire Hathaway was founded by a businessman named Oliver Chace who started the company in 1839 as a textile mill. Warren Buffet was an investor in the early 1960s who forced the CEO and owners out of the business after buying a majority stake in the company. About 25 years later, Warren Buffet eliminated the primary operations of the business, textile manufacturing, and turn the corporation into the $100 billion dollar holding company we know today. So is Warren Buffet the founder of Berkshire Hathaway? I would argue yes, but of course he owns the business now. Can you be a founder and not have equity in the organization? I'd bet that you couldn't tell me who started the Price is Right but you probably know Bob Barker, its host for 35 years. I would argue that Bob Baker was at least a co-founder of the Price is Right even though he was not an equity partner because the show probably wouldn't have such success without him. If you agree with me then the definition of a founder would include anyone who influences the direction of the organization taking on some level of risk and receiving some level of reward. So what does all of this mean for you?
"One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up, add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts but teamwork dynamites." – Jin Kwon
Are you suppose to become a founder?
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur who started a business then you probably already see yourself as a founder. However if you did not start the company yourself, you still have an opportunity to become a founder by being intragal to the evolution of the organization. Not only could you be wasting your talents in another position but it could be the very thing you have been missing in your life. It is a question you want to spend some time on because not everyone is meant to be a founder. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being someone who works for a founder. I believe you are called to be a founder if you have the following:
- You have desire to take on the risk growing something from an idea to its excution because you believe in the reward.
- You want a share in the ownership or recognition of the organization.
- You want to be vital for the success of an organization.
- You are willing to work with other founders regardless of work styles, personalities, or conflict because you are focused on the goal.
Should you be a founder?
The very nature of a founder is a person able to dive into the unknown with only the possibility of success. That is not to say they are not afraid to, but they ultimately overcome that fear and make an attempt. If you can't do that then I wouldn't recommend trying to be a founder. I meet too many people who try to tip toe their way into business; I have been guilty of this myself at a time. At some point you will have to either take a leap of faith or fail. Decide to take a leap of faith when you decide to be founder and you will be ahead of the game. Again, if you won't take any leaps of faith then being a founder may not be for you. For me, my passion forces me to be a founder and most days it is more powerful than my fear. I started my DJ business because of my passion for quality music and entertainment. I became a life & business strategist because of my passion to help people make real progress in their lives. Maybe you are afraid of being a founder and you need to lean on your passion to push you forward. It is a decide you have to make consistently.
Start now with what you have; what you have in enough
I believe the number one reason most people refuse to take that leap is because you lack the resources you think you need. Resources like money, skills, education, or people. The fact is that there is always someone with less access to resources than you and yet they somehow make it work. It is not the lack of resurces but the lack of resourcefulness. I suggest that once you decide to be a founder, make it public. Tell people the passion you have or the goal you are looking for. Like-minded people will come out of nowhere to help you. Of course if you are trying to become a founder of the company you are currently at, then you may want to explain yourself a bit to the owner or executives before going public. The trick is to take as many leap of faith as needed and to it as quickly as possible. Is it better to tip toe in a cold lake or just jump in? Are you ready to jump?
"The only way to succeed is to abandon 1,000 good ideas" - Steve Jobs
Conclusion
I want you to live with passion; to let that passion drive you to do more than you may think is possible now. If it is the path of a founder, you will be among good company. If you are being pulled to create something new from nothing then I encourage you to take a leap of faith. Take account of your resources and regardless of what you may lack just get started. If I can help you along the way don't hesitate to ask.
Are you a founder? Do you agree with my definition of a founder? If you have any question, comments, or concerns I encourage you to comment below or send me a message at [email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon!
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References:
- Gorla, Gregg Fairbrothers and Catalina. “Who Is A Founder?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 6 May 2013, https://www.forbes.com/sites/greggfairbrothers/2013/05/06/who-is-a-founder/#4fa3c2d23654.
- Roos, Dave. “10 Companies That Completely Reinvented Themselves.” HowStuffWorks, HowStuffWorks, 10 Jan. 2014, https://money.howstuffworks.com/10-companies-reinvented-themselves2.htm.
- “The Price Is Right.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Sept. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Price_Is_Right.
