To all young entrepreneurs in Boston. If you don't know of Bill Warner, you should. Bill Warner is a leader in Boston, has founded very successful companies, and is just a stand up great guy who I respect. I've only met him a few times, but I've studied him and his philosophies many times over. I've met many entrepreneurs who are great entrepreneurs. And then I've met entrepreneurs who are not only great entrepreneurs, but who also stand for something. Men with philosophies that guide their lives. Bill is one of these men.
And to make it easy on you, I've decided to put together what I believe to be Bill Warner's best learning videos and articles to help you as a young startuper get... well... started.
1. Video: Bill Warner and "How to Build a Startup Company from the Heart"
For all you efficiency, speed demons out there starting businesses.
I once had a mouse without a back button. Now I have a mouse WITH a back button (and a forward button as well). I bought one as a result of seeing my friend use his mouse with a back button. It allowed him to insanely quickly rifle forward and backward throughout the interwebs. And if you love efficiency and speed (like me), you MUST drop that old mouse of yours and pick up one with a backward and forward button. Once you do, you'll never go back. Trust me.
I'm sure you've heard this unforgettable line before. I guarantee it. "It's not what you know. It's who you know."
It's most likely been said by someone trying to give you advice on a job search, or someone who just lovessss "networking." Telling you to remember to keep you nose to the grindstone. To keep "networking." Because "you just neverrrrr know".... that guy you met at CVS while looking for Swedish Fish and Root Beer may just very well hold the keys to your success. "It's all who you know." RIGHT?!?!
And I'm sure you've heard this one. "It's not who you know, it's WHO KNOWS YOU!" I'm not sure when it was I first started hearing this line, but it seemed to make more sense. Right?!? After all, you know a ton of people. But do they know you?
Hmmmmm. Interesting little bugger. Clever bastards. I see what they did there.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
But, let's take it one step further. I know thousands of people. And thousands of people know me. But... why don't we do the following. Let's flip the switch. Let's think QUALITY over QUANTITY. When it comes down to it, I'm a monstrous supporter of quality over quantity when it comes to connecting with others. It has always made more sense to me. "Quantity" is a fairly general term. But, let's stick with this way of thinking for the time being. Quality over quantity.
And I'll ask you this question..."Who BELIEVES in you?"
Who believes that you have something in yourself that makes you great? Who believes in you enough to know that you can help them? Help the world? Who believes in you enough to take time out of your day for others? Enough to introduce people to your most trusted friends? Your family? Your homies?
It's not who you know. It's not who knows you. It's who believes in you. Show other's why they should BELIEVE in you. And you'll find out soon enough why the best of the best don't drop lines like... "Hey mannnn... It's allll whooo youu knowwwwww." Because they're getting people to believe.
My name is Ryan Durkin. I write so that I will never forget where I came from and what I stand for. I hope that this will motivate young people to realize their potential and become more productive than they ever imagined. That would make me truly happy.
My name is Ryan Durkin. I write so that I will never forget where I came from and what I stand for. I hope that this will motivate young people to realize their potential and become more productive than they ever imagined. That would make me truly happy.
