In 2006, my last year of college, my mom sent me a letter containing a section of Jodie Foster’s commencement speech from Penn (See below for specific excerpt). Ms. Foster’s words articulated exactly what I was going through at that point in my life, and I think my mom sent me this text so I knew [...]
Career Advice
What I Learned From My First (Failed) Business Partnership
Business is business and not everything turns out the way you hope. I recently ended my first business partnership after approximately 19 months. Not quite the 10-year ride I was expecting. But it’s for the best. It was an experience and as long as I learn from it, I won’t regret it. So, here is [...]
Enjoy the Journey
“You can’t connect the dots moving forward. You can only connect them looking back.” – Steve Jobs This is a reminder to everyone. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, how old you are, or what you’re trying to become; there will always be obstacles in your way. You’re going to have good [...]
Advice: Sign Contracts
I’m just full of obvious advice recently aren’t I? Well, this is important. I can’t stress this enough. Get contracts, written by lawyers, signed by clients before doing work. DO NOT ignore this step. I know this seems really obvious and I’m embarrassed that I’m writing about this, but here’s the reality situation that I’ve [...]
Advice: Open Two Business Checking Accounts
This is a quick and easy lesson. Don’t be a fool like me and mess this one up. Open up TWO business checking account when you start your company and make sure both accounts have money inside them at all times. I would recommend opening one account with a small bank or credit union, usually [...]
Why Scaling a Services Company Is Difficult
I started Demeter Interactive nearly two years ago. During this time, I’ve learned first hand what it takes when scaling a services company. There are two types of companies, a product company and a services company. Scaling each company is quite different and pose different types of challenges, but service companies are more difficult to [...]
Advice: Just Keep Moving Forward
Like a broken record, I’ll say it again. Starting a business is really difficult. It can be draining and soul crushing. But no matter how crappy things get, always keep moving forward. I always envision a running back, running into a pile of huge lineman. Some go down, but those who just keep their feet [...]
Advice: Don’t Start Two Companies (At Once)
Today my advice is simple. Don’t start two companies at one time. Instead, focus on one thing and kill it. *This is definitely a do as I say, not as I do post. Everyone thinks they’re Superman. Entrepreneurs think they can accomplish anything they put their mind to. They’ll sleep less and focus harder to [...]
A Note to Keynote Speakers
I just came back from a conference where there were a few notable keynote speakers. Some did an amazing job. They were gregarious, thought provoking, and were well worth the price of admission. Then there were others who clearly phoned it in and were obviously just coasting off of the reputation they had built online. [...]
