Editor’s note: Karl Rectanus is a social entrepreneur and founder of TechExecutives, LLC, helping high impact leaders and high growth organizations in education, technology and the public sphere move from idea to execution.
This weekend, my uncle was in town. He happens to be a brewmaster for a nationally recognized beer in your grocery aisle. Besides having taught many of today’s top brewers, he’s built breweries in North America, Asia, and even –wait for it – the British Virgin Islands. I know, tough gig, right? He’s a smart guy with a biology and history degree from Stanford, who has done cool things with his life (and with beer). Primarily, I believe his success is because he sees the world differently than most.
Take this example, that came out when we were talking about our respective kids’ education. We are both blessed with kids who are smart, talented, healthy, and “suffer from issues of focus.”
“You’ve heard the story of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’ What’s the moral of that story?” my uncle asked.
My wife responded as most would, “Slow and steady wins the race.”
“Wrong … but that’s what we teach. The moral should be, ‘The rabbit always wins, unless he falls asleep.’ At the very least, it should be considered one of the right answers. Too often, people only see it one way.”
It struck me. This is the motto of every entrepreneur I respect.
Like all kids, entrepreneurs see our world from a different vantage and often approach it with their own, unique intelligence. Yes, they have unique vision to a need or market or problem. Yes, they often get connected to great people, find investors, and bring some of their own skills to an issue. But, most of all, they go do it – they are tireless. They are rabbits.
My work lets me work with educators, entrepreneurs, and other interesting people who have unique vision. But I also meet people with ideas for apps, product enhancements, or market changing innovations in my normal life. They’re at the grocery store or the dinner party or my daughter’s t-ball game. Often, the real world (or their lives at home, or the systems in which they work) conspire to stop them from following up on their great ideas. In short, they’re sleeping on it.
My question: are these “Wantrepreneurs” tortoises, or are they sleeping rabbits?
That’s why I’ve put some energy into helping the team behind the Triangle Startup Weekend. They are waking up sleeping rabbits.
If you’re a “wantrepreneur” that wants to win, prove it. Be different than the tortoise. It’s okay if you’ve been a rabbit sleeping on that great idea. The good news is TSW may be your best way to become a rabbit.
Bring your best idea and join a bunch of smart folks committed to doing something special together. Need techies, a designer, or even investors? They’ll be there. Need cool working space, some great food, and inspiration? All covered. Want to pitch your idea in a safe and friendly environment? You can. Come join TSW. It could be the most important 54 hours of your life.
It doesn’t matter your ideas, industry, or expertise. But know, even though the agenda includes sleep breaks, these rabbits don’t sleep on their ideas.
The next TSW is July 12-14 at the Underground@Main.
