Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021 has been in full force here at L-SPARK, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
While it’s true that every week feels like Global Entrepreneurship Week here, it’s also important that we take the time to really pause and think about how lucky we are to work with such inspiring and dedicated founders. We see, first hand, just how much hustle goes on behind the scenes of a startup. We’re beyond grateful to get to play a part in that story for so many of our amazing founders.
So while we could go on and on about how inspiring it is to work with these amazing entrepreneurs (because it’s true) the reality is the best advice and insight you can get on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, is from the mouths (or keyboards) of entrepreneurs themselves.
We held our monthly #SaaSChats this week and it was all about entrepreneurship in honour of #GEW2021. We asked these 5 entrepreneurs to answer a series of 9 questions about their journey through entrepreneurship.
They share the inside scoop on their advice, lessons learned, and truths / myths about entrepreneurship. It’s an eye opening chat for anyone who wants a peek inside the journey of these brilliant startup founders.
Say hello to the entrepreneurs behind our #GEW2021 #SaaSChats:
- Shawn Watts (@Corfix_Shawn), CEO, Corfix
- Corey Yantha (@intlyan), CEO, Dispension Industries
- David Abrams (@davidlabrams) Co-Founder + CEO, HILO
- Kelly Cherniwchan (@thechataHQ), CEO, CHATA
- Ashleigh Kennedy (@Ashleigh_Neuro) CEO, Neurovine.ai
Let’s highlight some of their responses!
(Pro tip: click on the questions to be brought directly over to Twitter to read the full thread of responses on each question!)
I actually started a gymnastics club in a high school gym in my small town when I was 14 years old. It didn’t last long but it was the first time I saw that when something does not exist, it’s possible to create it!
#SaaSChats.— Ashleigh Kennedy (@Ashleigh_Neuro) November 9, 2021
A2: I’ve always known I wanted to work for myself, but Corfix came about after working in both construction, and then software sales. That specific path eventually lead to my full-time focus on Corfix 3 years ago. #SaaSChats
— Shawn Watts (@Corfix_Shawn) November 9, 2021
A3: Learning that being a founder of a startup is entrepreneurship on steroids. It is like nothing else you have ever done while running a traditional business. #GEW2021 #SaaSChats
— David Abrams (@davidlabrams) November 9, 2021
A4. As an entrepreneur there will always be fires burning, you just need to focus on attending to the ones that might consume the ship. Prioritization of key issues is critical. Consistent 16hr days is not sustainable. #SaaSChats #GEW2021
— Kelly Cherniwchan (@k_cherniwchan) November 9, 2021
A5: A simple formula: Success = Opportunity + Preparation. This has stuck with me for many years. You can never be too prepared. If you’re ready when an opportunity comes knocking, you have the best chance to succeed! …And always keep a positive mindset. #SaaSChats #GEW2021
— Dispension Industries (@DispensionInc) November 9, 2021
A6. Even when we’re not at work, we are thinking about it. That’s the reality because most of the time it does not feel like work. #SaaSChats #GEW2021
— Kelly Cherniwchan (@k_cherniwchan) November 9, 2021
A7: A FALSE assumption about founders is that we’re catch-all experts in our product. Corfix focuses on building a solid team to bridge the gap from my industry knowledge, tenacity, and willingness to learn – with professionals in development, marketing, and sales. #SaaSChats
— Shawn Watts (@Corfix_Shawn) November 9, 2021
A8. Mentors. Having one or two mentors that have been there and have the battle scars to show it are invaluable to an entrepreneur… someone that can be your champion in public and hold you accountable in private @JenFrancis261 @DaneBedward @MikeLaginski @leolax #SaaSChats
— Ashleigh Kennedy (@Ashleigh_Neuro) November 9, 2021
A9.
◾️More technical expertise in house from day 1.
◾️Anticipated a pandemic in my planning.
◾️Gone to an ivy league school, built a larger network, and was a previous founder who had a big exit. #GEW2021 #SaaSChats— David Abrams (@davidlabrams) November 9, 2021
