“The world will ask you who you are, and if you do not know, the world will tell you.” – Carl Jung
When I was six years old, my Dad launched his first business.
It was his first time working for himself, and there was pride in his eyes as he showed me around his new office.
“Are you scared?” I asked him.
“A little,” he said.
“But I realized a long time ago I could never be happy working for anyone but myself.”
I never forgot those words.
And, as an impressionable six year old who wanted to be just like Dad…
…I decided, then and there, that I wouldn’t work for anyone else, either.
To this day, I’ve never had a real job.
(I’m told basketball camp counsellor doesn’t count)
And I barely lasted two months in university before I dropped out to do my own thing.
After 15 years in business, it feels as true today as it ever has:
I would sell everything I own, go broke, and live off rice and beans before I got a job working for someone else.
If that sounds extreme, that’s because it is…
(seriously, what kind of chucklehead would rather live in a box than get a job?)
…But I’m not so extreme as to think that my path is the “best” path for everyone.
I know I’ve said it before, but I need to say it again here:
There is no “best” path, there is only the path that is best for you.
If that means starting a business, bueno.
If it means:
- Finding a job you love
- Pursuing an art form that inspires you
- Playing at the top of your sport
- Caring for your family full-time
- Or any other path that feels right to you
…Those are just as bueno — and don’t let anyone, including me, tell you otherwise.
This feels important to say, as we build towards our first ever live cohort of FounderLab:
A 6-week incubator for early-stage online businesses who want to scale to 10k/month and beyond.
(details in the PS below)
The nature of this program will create a lot of interest, for a lot of people — even some who never considered starting a business.
So I want to be clear, upfront:
Launching this program doesn’t mean I “recommend” entrepreneurship to everyone…
(the opposite is true; I recommend it for very few people)
…And you shouldn’t feel pressure to start a business you didn’t plan on starting.
Converting you to entrepreneurship is not my goal.
My goal is to help you find your unique path, whatever it may be.
If your unique path happens to include…
- Launching a digital product or service business
- Scaling it to 10k/month (and, if you wish, far beyond)
- Taking creative control of your life, striking out on your own, and testing yourself against the wild unknown
…Then stay tuned.
This week’s emails are for you.
– T
P.S. For those who have been asking how to apply for FounderLab:
My plan is to open applications on Thursday, and you’ll receive more details about the program in our emails between now and then.
I’m only accepting 15 founders, and first to apply will be given first priority.
So keep a close eye on your inbox for details.
If you’d like to get on our early-invite list, reply with the word “interested” and I’ll make sure you hear about it first.
“When you truly work for yourself, you won’t have hobbies, you won’t have weekends, and you won’t have vacations, but you won’t have work either.” — Naval Ravikant
