I wrote a short piece on my LinkedIn page about transitioning to a startup called "Run!"
Cross posting it here for archiving sake...
Cross posting it here for archiving sake...
I'm a huge fan of Zombie shows like The Walking Dead and it's new spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead. Running is a big part of being in a zombie apocalypse.
It turns out, running is also a bit part of working for a startup. After many years and several industries (non-profit, tech, consulting), I find myself back in what I call "startup land' - that magical place where chaos reigns and everyday brings a new set of challenges, each of which feels more important than the next.
As it turns out, I thrive on that sort of chaos. Even when I was at PwC working as a consultant, the most interesting projects were the ones where there was total chaos. I'd look around and see everyone scrambling for cover and I'd just revel in the madness.
Now that I'm back in the thick of things working for a very small technology company, I feel an amazing energy and sense of urgency in my gut. At PwC, I learned to slow down and take carefully measured steps in presenting solutions to clients. At SpendBoss, slowing down means the zombies will eat you. Run. Don't stop. Don't look back.
It's exciting, and scary and it's not for everyone.
Do you remember this scene from the movie Parenthood where Gil and Grandma are talking about roller coasters?
Grandma: You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster.
Gil: Oh?
Grandma: Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride!
Gil: What a great story.
Grandma: I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together! Some didn't like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.
I'm with Grandma. I like the roller coaster. I get more out of it. As for my latest professional journey, I've got my hands full in running both sales and marketing and am absolutely loving the challenge. I feel sick and excited, all at once.
Catch me if you can Zombies!
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