Benn, as a fellow founder, I share your angst. We're compelled to be "always selling", even in our conversations with close friends. I try to be as open and honest as possible because it's a small world in data and there's a good chance that a competitor today will be a partner tomorrow. After all, it's not about the "idea", it's about the "execution". At least, that's what I keep telling myself...
Honestly, the people who I think handle this the best go in the opposite direction. They're able to cultivate a sense of detachment from their companies, where they can be friends with friends, and vendors with customers. I'm not sure _how_ they do it, clearly, but more power to those who can.
Oh, wow. As someone who is on the throes of turning from "highly-opinionated data practitioner" to "fully-employed at a data startup", this hit REALLY close to home.
Thanks for being real. It makes a difference. YOU make a difference. Hang in there.
Benn, as a fellow founder, I share your angst. We're compelled to be "always selling", even in our conversations with close friends. I try to be as open and honest as possible because it's a small world in data and there's a good chance that a competitor today will be a partner tomorrow. After all, it's not about the "idea", it's about the "execution". At least, that's what I keep telling myself...
Honestly, the people who I think handle this the best go in the opposite direction. They're able to cultivate a sense of detachment from their companies, where they can be friends with friends, and vendors with customers. I'm not sure _how_ they do it, clearly, but more power to those who can.
You just explained to me why I shyed away from data companies...
Oh, wow. As someone who is on the throes of turning from "highly-opinionated data practitioner" to "fully-employed at a data startup", this hit REALLY close to home.
Thanks for being real. It makes a difference. YOU make a difference. Hang in there.
I, for one, enjoy the Wordle and SPROTS posts for that reason, as they help humanize the (still welcome) industry takes.
Don't you worry, I'm not about to take my own advice on this. My substack, my (someday, I swear) treatise on pitbull.
I shouldn’t have wished on that monkey’s paw
i refuse to like this comment