PowerPoint PresentationWho is Justin Craig?
“Darkside” Case Studies [Stories/Narratives]
The entrepreneur who had it all…and now has nothin’
Red Ferrari Guy
The entrepreneurs who spent their whole life wondering “what if…”
The entrepreneur who dropped dead on the 16th green
What can you do to limit risk/the darkside?
“Take Homes”
SPRING 2005
Personal
Dad died when I was 11 (he was an entrepreneur)
Mum filled both roles (she had to be entrepreneurial)
Instilled in me the value of networks and education and hard work (although not apparent at the time)
Wife/Soul Mate…Kimbo
Worked for two “classic” entrepreneurs
With brother (and with assistance from sister) started, harvested, started, 3 successes, 1 not so successful
Other smaller ventures in Australia and Malaysia
Worked with/observe/know countless other entrepreneurs
Now work with “nascent” and “aspiring” entrepreneurs in USA, Australia, South Africa…i.e., many of you…
SPRING 2005
I have been where you are going…
I am older than you
Have said “yes” when I should have said “no”
Have said “no” when I should have said “yes”
Have tasted success…
Have witnessed failure…
High Highs/Low Lows
Have not slept, have negotiated, have dodged and weaved to make it…have been summonsed to the bank manager’s office!
SPRING 2005
Awareness of risk
Start to look for OPPORTUNITIES
And even..
SPRING 2005
That I will deter you from pursuing an entrepreneurial career
…or that…
you will fall asleep and start to snore…
you will be so bored that you will start text messaging…
you do your calculus homework…
etc. etc.
SPRING 2005
“They say it is lonely at the top…if you are an entrepreneur…it is desolate”…
Randy Conrads,
The bloke who had it all…and now has nothin’
Family Risk
Psychological Risk
The two blokes who spent their whole lives wondering “what if…”
Health Risk
SPRING 2005
You don’t observe the basics…particularly CASH POSITION
You don’t do what you can to put the odds in your favor…
Opportunity
Is this an IDEA or an OPPORTUNITY?
Team
Do you have COMPETENT advisors?
Resources
Do you use OPRs?
You are not patient
You confuse what is the companies’ with what is yours…big chance that it is the companies
You do not have a supportive spouse/significant other or family
You don’t seek and accept HELP
You don’t ACTIVELY network
You don’t LISTEN
Work on weaknesses
Work on strengths
SPRING 2005
Write down your goals…revisit them often
Share your dreams
Be patient
Start to save some money as you will be expected to have “some skin in the game”
SPRING 2005
BE HONEST AND COMMUNICATE OFTEN WITH YOUR BACKERS!
DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO!
EXPECT TO BE IN BUSINESS FOR 50 YEARS!
“YES, AND…” RATHER THAN “YES, BUT…” ATTITUDE!
DEVELOP A “HARVEST” MINDSET
Hard work
A Rush
Financial
Family
Career
Psychological
Health