It seems like everyone likes to post their wins. I don’t usually see posts about failures. I could give a TED Talk on failure. Or at least what I perceive as failure. I’ve said to many people that, I have no desire to be rich, just comfortable. It’s tough. Nobody wants to talk about the three weeks spent staring at paperwork while your kid is asking when you’re coming to play.
Getting your name out there is a full time job, and for someone like me who’s staring down the barrel of nearly half a century on earth, it’s even more crucial to have something to show for it.
It can be emotional at times.
When you have a family—when you have kids watching you—the stakes change.
Balancing the risk of a startup against the stability your family needs, going from a high-stakes legal call or a funding pitch straight into dad mode without bringing the stress to the dinner table is something I don’t hear talked about enough.
And then there’s navigating state requirements and local filings (Alabama’s probate system is a test of patience) while wondering if the public push is actually doing anything.
It’s exhausting.
But I’m doing it because I want my kids to see what it looks like to build something from nothing. I want them to see that the boring footwork and the headaches are just the foundation for something meaningful.
If you’re a founder balancing the books and the bedtime stories right now, I see you. The stress is the price of admission, but the legacy is the goal.
