Owner / Founder Conundrum

I am the owner, founder, financial mastermind, gofer, truck driver, therapist, coach and______.

I am not going to sugar coat it, starting a business in far from a walk in the park.  

I did not raise capital. I did not take out a loan. I  

I am spread pretty thin, 3 ongoing projects in three different cities.  Burning the candle with a blowtorch.

I am sure there is an easy button somewhere, I have not found it.  

As stressful as all of this is, I am grateful that I don’t have a board to answer to nor investors to justify my action to.  There is something to be said about self funding, it is peaceful.

I audited a class last year and was talking to some of the students.  The most asked question was, are you getting VC or PE funding?  My answer is always the same, no, I put up my money to start these companies.

I can’t seem to wrap my head around how it would be ok to gamble with someone else's money.  Sure, I could justify taking the money by saying I am contributing sweat equity, but the truth in taking money is real simple, OWNERSHIP!

When it is your money, it’s your pie.  When you take in outside money, you just sold the pie. I am not ready to sell the pie, I am just still learning how to make the dough.

I picked up this shirt in San Francisco, I found it suitable today.  

Buinness: Cutting stuff, getting dirty, levis jeans and dirty cowboy boots