Welcome to our Newest Addition: Lessons from the Crib-side
Mid-life entrepreneurs, a safe way for kids to cut cardboard, and leveraging our social instincts.
Hello there,
I’m writing this through bleary eyes as our house has a recent addition - our second daughter arrived two weeks ago! 🎉
No sleep-deprived hallucinations, but I did grab the wrong clipper attachment and shave off my mustache…
Luckily newborns can only see 6 inches, so our newborn isn’t acting like I’m a stranger. Plus I refer to myself as the diaper fairy. And who’s ever seen a fairy with a mustache?
This week we’ve got mid-life entrepreneurs, a safe way for kids to cut cardboard, and leveraging our social instincts.
Unlocking Success with Mid-Life Founder Stories
For many months, years even, I’ve been reluctant to step out from under the umbrella of corporate employment to build a business of my own.
And that’s ok! I, for one, need frequent reminders that the experiences from all those past jobs add up to prepare you for whatever comes next.
Here are three inspiring examples:
Lara Merriken was 32 years old and recently divorced, mid-way through a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park when she had the idea to make healthy, natural snacks.
She grew her health-conscious business slowly, hauling an industrial mixer behind her car to make bars in rented space. That’s right - it’s Larabar, the yummiest cashew, date, and other stuff combo anyone could imagine.
The business grew along with the rising health food trend and was ultimately purchased by General Mills in 2008 for millions of dollars.
Roxanne Quimby chased a simpler life in rural Maine and lived off the grid.
She was in her 30’s when she met a reclusive beekeeper and offered to help take care of the bees. Using extra beeswax from her partner Burt, she sold candles, and then added more and more natural personal care products.
Ultimately, Burt’s Bees grew into a global brand associated with sustainability and natural ingredients, and in 2007 was purchased by Clorox.
Arianna Huffington had a background in writing and political commentary but set off on her own in 2005.
She started the Huffington Post at the age of 55 and hired staff writers as well as unpaid bloggers. The site also got in early on the trend of news aggregators with the Drudge Report.
Huffington Post became one of the most widely-read media brands on the internet and was later purchased by AOL in 2011 for $350M.
BONUS: Colonel Harland Sanders - that’s right, the ole Kentucky Fried Chicken mascot is a real person.
The Colonel was 62 when he franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken and traveled the country pitching his fried chicken recipes to others. In the 1950’s people didn’t readily accept the idea of restaurant franchising, but he ultimately prevailed and…
Well, the rest is a tale feathered with success. Also, did you know that KFC is the most popular fast-food restaurant in China with over 5,000 locations?
But are anecdotes just a distraction from the truth? Researchers at Harvard published a study in 2018 that debunked the popular myth that after 25 founders should be ignored by venture capitalists.
Here’s what they found: the average age of a successful startup founder is 45 years old!
Yes, I’m partly writing this because next week I get one year closer to 40, and I want to be reminded that it’s never too late to step onto the path of entrepreneurship. But also to remind you of a favorite quote:
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
— Thomas Edison
Worthy & Remarkable
I’m late on this, but InvenTABLE is a kid-safe power tool for cutting cardboard that I wish I’d come up with (from fellow alumni from my master's program)
This tiny titanium ruler raises $75k and doubles as a fidget tool to keep your fingers busy - plus, rose gold!
Rock climbing in Washington Park in Manhattan? Yep, and some locals share the history about “the worst climbing spot in the US.”
A scenic and curious romp through Costa Rica with pro-climber Ethan Pringle - deep water soloing, tall boulders, and climbing shoes succulent garden.
One Thing from Me
We are social creatures, which doesn’t surprise anyone, but I’m constantly surprised by the level of its impact.
An advertisement works when you say, “I’m not a sucker like all the other idiots ordering Corona at the beach because of a billboard!”
What worked is that you already believe the ad works on others. And that affirms the goal of the marketer who paid for the billboard, possibly even causing you to make choices to fit in.
Monkeys will use a less effective nut cracking technique to fit in with a new tribe. And so you will be less productive around distracted people.
“Surround yourself with people who have the habits you want to have yourself. You’ll rise together.” — James Clear
For me, this recently showed up when I made a social media post featuring nice comments about my sling bag #SelfPromotion. I was reluctant at first, but people really like it!
In the name of social proof, would you please watch this silly video about using my sling bag for diapers and subscribe to my new YouTube channel?
The best way to get started is to ask for help!
Socially inclined,
Jono
PS - here are my favorite parent-themed Showerthoughts