Joshua Street’s Blog

until it involves them.

There are only a few things that really stress me out. Probably ranking near the top are things that interfere with my “system” of doing things. That can be people, circumstances, and yes even at times, God Almighty.

But how do I know when my system needs to change? Do I wait for it to break? Do I just walk away from the things that cause confusion in it? I think I should, if I feel it will bring a character failure in my life…but then again why isn’t my system built around preventing them and notating red flags? If life is really less about what I accomplish than about how I live it, then perhaps the only system I should care about is the more facilitating change in me. What system do you have in place for personal change?

I love the various roles I’ve gotten to fill in organizations through the years. From consultant to management to volunteer, each role brings a rewarding experience. I’ve seen many strengths within each place I’ve served, but a slew of strengths are easily erased by one sole weakness. Every organization is built to handle harmony. After all you don’t partner with people you have nothing in common with. In my experience though, it’s not agreement that shape an organization, but how they handle conflict. Few places or people know how to handle disagreement. The places that learn to handle conflict openly, respectfully, and humble (after all you may be wrong) not only survive, but attract people that will challenge them to be better. How does your organization handle conflict?

Here I am living in a what I would call, small coastal city, and trying to grow a national brand for independent music. While certain things would be easier in a much larger city, I enjoy the corporate absence. Small business has always been my goal sized company to work and build. I’m not looking to answer to a board or an excutive council. All those things look good on paper….scratch that.  They look exactly the way they are; complex, boring, and wasteful. The guys I have the most faith in to create something great are the ones focused on the exact opposite. Corporate tells you to systemize and build distribution channels, while the next group of successful entrepueners tell you to personalize and get intimate with things. That doesn’t mean you act on every suggestion and tailor make everything. It means that your focus is becoming more knowledgable and producing a more knowledgable product. I’m not sure that this type of system will ever produce another Bill Gates, but I’m sure it will eliminate a lot of system errors and blue screens in the long run.

An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of an enterprise, or venture, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. [thanks wikipedia]

Wikipedia is an idiot. This is probably the worst definition. Try something like this:

An entrepreneur is a crazy person who takes on a venture and directly responsible for its outcome takes huge risks sacrificing family, friends, and finances with nothing more than a slim chance of success.

the content:

There are developers, investors, creators, and inventors. Although I don’t feel equipped to be any of them. So when people ask me what I do and what my title is, I often find myself at a lack of self description. A blank reply of entrepreneur will suffice, although it makes me sound like I make infomercials and sell things on eBay.

Titles are barriers. Once you are cast in a role, it becomes your Alcatraz. Take my advice, make sure you like the food before accepting the sentence. The only reason we have titles in business is to make people feel special and to keep them from stepping on each others toes. Both reasons remind me of a kindergarten play.

the risk:

Most people consider me risk taker, but I didn’t ride a roller coaster until I was in high school. It took every ounce of courage within me to ask a girl to the senior prom [a good friend who laughed before saying yes - jerk]. Even today I’m very much an introvert that is comfortable with the limelight. The combination makes me difficult to read at times and a pretty awesome poker player.

the knowledge:

Education makes sense in the medical field, nuclear science, and law. You would think it would be a part of an entrepreneur’s definition. In my opinion it is the foundation, but our grading systems is very different. Profitable A+ businesses could be complete failures if they fall short of the intended goal. At the same time, losing your life savings on a failed business could earn you the field’s highest degree. The important thing is you remain a student. One that is ever changing, ever learning, and unafraid to confront your inner fears.

the lifestyle:

What makes an entrepreneur goes beyond ideas and their development. It’s calculation. It’s gut. It’s about confronting yourself and battling with your limit. It’s about knowing when to quit and knowing when to start. Your success as an entrepreneur is dependent upon living a life without regret yet filled with mistakes. Your search is for balance where what you create consumes and refuels you all at the same time.

the return:

In fairness to the fine folks at Wikipedia, I am sure they were attempting to be more concise. I am trying to paint an accurate picture of what it really means. I questioned for years if I was cut out for this. On a bad day the thought can still creep up, but there is something primal about pressing through. Then there are the days you make a lot of money and say it was worth, but after a few times you realizes money isn’t everything. It’s actually closer to nothing. As result of all the reasons above, entrepreneurs are about 35% drive, 25% fear, 10% genetics, 10% experience, and 120% faith…leaving us with 200% crazy, working twice as hard, and over-budget. But it sure is a heck of a ride!