On March 15th, Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, lead figure in the widely acclaimed documentary, Startup.com, spoke to the undergraduates and MBA students of Villanova's College of Commerce & Finance. Tuzman’s talk primarily focused on how one becomes a successful entrepreneur based on was he learned when his business crashed as documented in “Startup.com.” He discussed how in 2000 he was so driven by his ego, his desire to make money and live the high life, that he lost sight of how to actually attain his goals. As a result, he failed miserably and lost the millions of dollars that people had invested in him and his venture.Tuzman asserted what it is that makes a good entrepreneur:
To want, to desire to be an entrepreneur is like a thirst you can’t quench, a fire in your belly you need to tap into…you need to have your eyes wide open for the entrepreneurial path, a path of courage, a path of seeing what you’re made of, seeing what you can do.
Kaleil was at Villanova, in part, to promote his new book “The Entrepreneur’s Success Kit”. In beginning his discussion of it he led the group through a short visualization exercise. The purpose was to get everyone thinking about by what things they are “driven” (i.e., recognition, health, money, courage, and acceptance). He asserts once you “know thyself” (as Socrates put it), you will make better decisions as to ventures you should get involved with and thus reducing your risk of failure (in theory).
It was very cool being able to meet someone that I have heard so much about in class and entrepreneurial discussions. Moreover I was able to shake the hand of someone that, at one point, had a net worth of over $1,000,000,000, even it was only on paper!
And now for Kaleil Isaza Tuzman’s Final Thought:
The good thing about the American bankruptcy code is that they are the most forgiving. You can try again, the market allows it. Take responsibility of your failures and get back up there.
Fun Sunday: Powder Skiing
2 hours ago