How a risk-averse introvert
became an entrepreneur
How many of you know what your major is?
80% of you will change your major
...AT LEAST THREE TIMES
Why did I think it was so important to choose the right major?
Business majors are people who don't know what they want to do.
The "entrepreneur"
FEAR
- fear of not making enough money
- fear of being "normal" or "average"
- fear of failure
- fear of the unknown
- fear of risk
My three major changes?
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-dentistry
- ...
My Wife:
3. ... Portuguese
Also considered: Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, Business
I fell in love with building websites.
Pivotal Moment #1
"What would you think if I went into computers?"
What my wife thought:
Passion Insures Choices
"Secures or protects"
Pivotal Moment #2
Bait-and-Switch
There is no such thing as job security
The only job security is that which you create for yourself.
Pivotal Moment #3
"Don't hate me..."
What inspired me:
Take some risks
At this point,
what do I really have to lose?
The San Francisco startup Experience
The San Francisco startup Experience
You will learn more by failing than you will by succeeding.
What I really wanted to work on:
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela
Startups are full of contradictions
Stay the course! | Fail fast & Pivot!
Be data-driven | Trust your gut
Treat it like a project | Don't make mistakes
The Best Advice I have for you
Follow your passion.
Do something meaningful.
Take risks.
Never stop learning.
Don't fear failure.
Let's talk!
@cahlan
