What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?
The real value of money and how it actually works. Most people don’t really understand how money works and why. Learning the difference between $100 when you’re just starting out with no money in the bank and $1M when you’re an enterprise company is critical. You’ll be a better sales-person, marketer, programmer, mentor, and leader.
What shift in perspective has allowed you to see things differently?
Understanding that you cannot control the decisions other people make, you can only influence and inform them. Not every deal or decision will go your way and this mindset helps avoid self-loathing, anger, and depression.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
Figure out your strengths and do those things. Outsource or hire for the rest. This will ensure you stay happy, but also produce awesome results across the board.
What’s your favorite ritual or meeting in your team?
Avoid meetings at all costs. Meetings are the black hole of success and happiness, so just stop having them. They consume countless hours of people’s time with very little measurable benefit. Instead, have working sessions, brainstorming meetings, and async collaboration where you actually get things done.
What book do you recommend the most?
“Start with No” by Jim Camp. The simplest way to get over obstacles is to get someone to say “no.” This is the best place to start a real conversation and ask them “why?”
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
My dad, mother and both grandfathers were all entrepreneurs. It runs in the family and I grew up hearing about companies, businesses, and building something from nothing. I tried working at large companies for a while, but it sucked, so I started my own thing.
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Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
What's the biggest insight you learned in recent years?
It’s always a good idea to be connected to your product – even if you have to deal with high-level topics, always remember the things you offer.
What personal habit helped you accelerate your personal growth?
In one of the hardest times of my life so far, I started journaling for 1-2h on Sundays. Not digital, but with paper and pen. Always answering the same questions related to self, social life and work. This brutally honest and regular reflection once a week helped me identify problems early and iterate fast.
When times are tough, who or what is an anchor for you?
My co-founders are my anchor in work-related topics. Having an environment where failure is welcomed with a helping hand and where weakness is valued as openness, once you are down those people will drag you up.
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
When I was 16 (way before the internet) I founded a travel-partner agency to connect people from different backgrounds seeking travel companions. After a year, I had to close the agency due to a lack of customers and the confusion some callers had regarding the nature of the “service.” Despite this setback, I gained invaluable insights into sales, communication and people’s needs, solidifying my desire to run a business that helps people.