Back in the arena

More than 10 years ago I started my first startup - HomeDine. It was an epic fail, e.g I learned a lot!
After a few startup attempts I’ve decided to join the big tech companies to better learn how great companies operate.

I’ve spent the past few years in great companies like Facebook and Amazon. I knew my time there was not going to last long. In fact, I expected it to not last long. I am an entrepreneur at heart who enjoys building things, not a corportate guy. During my tenure in the corporate world my notebook was always open. I took so many notes on what to do (and what not to do) when operating a company. I learned process, reviews, communication and most of all - how to manage and lead others.

But time passed in the blink of an eye and I found myself lingering in the corporate world for too long. I was enjoying my new comfort zone. While all around me, people were starting new companies, asking me for advice and taking risks. I remained in my golden cage and only observed from afar.

In 2021 I lost a close family member. After this tragedy I needed a break, I took time off from everything to recharge and reflect. More than anything, losing someone I loved reminded me how short life is. There’s no time for fighting over climbing the corporate ladder, there’s no time for bulshit jobs and there is no time to stay in the comfort zone.

Theodore Roosevelt is one of my favorite presidents. Mainly because Roosevelt used his authority to establish 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, five national parks and 18 national monuments on over 230 million acres of public land.
And if this is not enough, we have this great quote from him:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

My personal loss reminded me of this quote. It's time to move on. It's time to get back to the arena.

This is my first post for 2022 and I'm proud to say - I'm back!
I'm starting a new company, I'm getting back to the game and I'm ready to leave my comfort zone once again.

Here's for the ones who're in the arena - never settle, keep on fighting and remember - life is short.

PS - if you want to join me in the arena, send me a note.

2022 - Let's do it!