Four days ago, thanks to my friend @airindel, I had a chance to participate in Campus Party, organised by O2 and Telefonica each year in different countries (this year it was UK, London). It was also a special day as it was “Women In Tech” part. I listened to many more and less inspiring speeches, attended Women in Tech panel hosting female experts and co-founders from Facebook, Mint.com, Mozzilla, LastMinute.com and some more.
It was great to feel striking difference between these female entrepreneurs who are only in the beginning of their way, and these, who “made it” to the top. When it was a 24-years old Clemence Wurtz‘s turn, it hit me while listening to her. I could perfectly understand what she was feeling when she was saying in her strong Parisian accent about “her adventure” and what she has gone through so far. Her inner radiating energy was visible with every gesticulation she made. Clemence was presenting her 2nd business. Her speech was quite unfinished and full of understatements (especially when she was answering questions), nevertheless, she can be an example of a real entrepreneur, who doesn’t fear obstacles and prejudices resulting from cultural differences. (Recently I’ve read an interview with VC Paul Graham who quoted that strong foreign accent of a startup founder is a bad indication for VCs). Everybody who was listening, saw her imperfections, but in silence praised her bravery and ambitions. I did it too. In the end it was her standing on the other side of the audience, not me (yet).
Launching a startup, especially when you are a lone entrepreneur is a really long and lonely journey, and requires huge energy and disregarding the “non-sayers”.
Another important speech was given by social media guru Brian Solis. His speech stacked deeply in my mind as he pointed very obvious but important issues about being successful in business; it takes empathy, courage, vision and resilience.
I believe that all four are important but one of of them is more crucial from the rest: courage. And courage is very rare in our world. Many surveys and researches have been conducted and the findings were clear: above everything else, most people value security.
As the Inc. article suggests:
Most people will tolerate just about anything–a bad marriage, an intrusive government, a horrible boss, a job that they hate–if only that thing can make them feel more secure.
It’s sad, really.
But entrepreneurs aren’t like that.
It takes courage to forego the predictability of a corporate job.
It takes courage to sacrifice your nest egg to your startup.
It takes courage to take the risk of failure.
It takes courage to make your dreams into reality.
And it takes courage–lots of it–to hand over the reins when your startup grows beyond your ability to manage it.
So here I am, girl with a dream of creating something much bigger than me and re-revolutionising PR and Media industry. But… is it still a courage or naivety?
What would you add?
