Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
forbes.com
Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
1–10 of 21 posts
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#2I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship."
What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#3I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
*Wife or husband.
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#4I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
...or husband.
"I can't imagine..."
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#5I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
One of the many things I take for granted with my girlfriend is the amount of support she gave me during my year-long experiment with my own company.
1) She knew she came after work. She fully supported everything I needed to do to become successful and was never short on support. However, I made sure that I made time for her and reminded her that in my heart, she's first.
2) She was willing to lend me money. Always offered to but my pride never let me do that, and it turned out just fine anyway.
3) Was willing to have plenty of "staying in nights." She never asked for fancy schmancy meals unless I offered, and she sacrificed plenty of fancy dates just so I would stop worrying about money.
These three things are just a really small sample of the great things she's done to support me, and now that things are better off, I make sure I spend a lot more time making her happy and compensating for some of the stuff I messed up with in that year.
The moral? A lot of women will shy away from entrepeneurs and guys who behave like entrepreneurs because of how cold and distant they can be. However, the right woman will stand by your side and be the strongest person in the world.
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#6I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
I am in a long term relationship with a girl I plan to marry. For the first year-ish of my startup it was a slow ramp up to the hours/comittment talked about in these articles. I used to read these articles and feel like I was doing something wrong, or was going to fail, because I did have a healthy life and relationship.
But when we started having real customers and real investors and real competitors.... excuse the pun, shit got real. I've become a classic startup 'cocky jerk' - and I love it. I'm losing my hair faster than otherwise, but I've never felt so alive.
My gf takes the long term perspective. Luckily she started grad school around the same time my work ramped up, so we're both busy. She also knows I have a few years window to really do this (we're 28, want kids in early 30s) so I've got to give it my all. Make the time together really really great when you get a moment, and take a long term perspective. She knows, success or not, when I'm 40 family will be priority #1 and understands I've got a once in a lifetime opportunity for a short window of years.
It works for us, for now. She has 1.5 years left of grad school. But I admit I am super lucky to have found her. :)
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#7I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
> What about married founders.
Wife and I are on our second co-founded startup. First one raised $80M. Second is self-funded.
Lots of marriages didn't survive through the bubble, and I understand why. Without having my wife see the same insane things I was seeing, I have no idea how I'd properly communicate it.
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#8I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
It is incredibly important to have an understanding spouse or partner. I'd argue that your spouse or partner can often be critical to your overall success. I think they have to feel part of the team. My wife shares in the rewards of success and believes in me and my teams, so she is very supportive. This is particularly important when we are struggling or going through a hard time. I can't imagine being in a relationship with a person who wasn't 110% on board with me in a startup.
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#9I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
I really disagree, enough that I actually wrote a response on my blog: http://swombat.com/2011/11/3/jerk-entrepreneurs
I don't think there's a conflict between being a founder and being a good person who treats their partner properly.
Re: Entrepreneurs are cocky jerks
#10I know it's a controversial opinion, and I have gotten a lot of criticism, but I'm curious if people agree? I can't imagine what it would be like to be a founder with a "demanding relationship." What about married founders. Isn't it very important to have an understanding wife?
If at first you don't succeed... I worked for a guy who seemed to have a very understanding third wife.