Serving as a VISTA was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had. The training, experience, and opportunities that it provided were immeasurable. I would urge anyone to "step up to the plate" and try it. It is without a doubt the best thing you can do for yourself while helping others. On top of all the perks, I got to meet and share in discussions with some wonderful former volunteers and VISTAs like Jay Rockefella and Ted Koppel. . #VISTAVICTORY #ServicetoAmerica #VolunteerismthatoverpaysVISTA #Justdoit #WordsofAdvice #VISTAwisdom #interview

I had the pleasure of judging the EY New England Entrepreneur of the Year finals this week. The companies these entrepreneurs are building are wildly diverse. Biotech, tech, consumer goods, retail. $5mm revenue up to billions of revenue. Private companies and public. Ones that started with nothing and some that started with millions of Venture Capital funding. All sorts. And the entrepreneurs themselves were from all sorts of backgrounds. Harvard grads, high school grads, Bostonians, first generation immigrants. And - they were ALL IMPRESSIVE. And I feel lucky to have met them and learn from them. America is lucky to have entrepreneurs throughout this country building amazing companies and employing amazing people. I asked many of these Semi-finalists the following question because I thought Jobcasers would enjoy the answer. Here it is for your consideration....

Question: What thoughts or advice would you give to someone thinking of beginning an entrepreneurial path and starting their own company? Answers from various Semi-Finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year: • Do Something you love • Do it right before you do it fast, do it right and the money will follow. • Be very true to ones self. Surround yourself with the right people and seek out and find the truth. • Go for it. There's no right answer. Just work through the problems. • Surround yourself with people that believe in the mission and hire people who complement what you are not good at. • People want to accomplish great things, give vision of building big things and people will follow. • Focus on values based leadership. Start and end with values. What do you want to stand for – if you don’t stand for something you will fall for everything. • Let the swimmer be a swimmer and the sprinter be a sprinter (metaphor related to Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt) • Be convinced you want to do it (starting a company). Don’t take entrepreneurial path because you aren’t happy with the one you are on, do it because you absolutely feel you need to do it. • If you are passionate, then go for it. Biggest regrets are about the opportunities you don’t pursue. • Just do it! • Be honest. Say what you don’t know – so you can get the help you need. Use failure as inspiration. • Do it. The Difference between a great entrepreneur and not is how you react when you run into great adversity. • Entrepreneurs are by definition, stupid. We think we will succeed and all risks will be overcome. Preserve that stupidity – go with it and take risks and trust your gut.
• Make sure you have a sound support system (wife, loved ones) – the entrepreneurial road can be long and difficult. And DON’T RUN OUT OF CASH. • Take the leap. • Just do it.

All of these entrepreneurs are winners. They all have emerged from the many companies started each year to be successful and growing rapidly. Many of them are striving to change the world. I hope this quick question informs and inspires you. The entrepreneurs road isn't for everyone. But anyone who has the persistence, grit and drive can successfully pursue it. These leaders did. And I thank them for sharing these thoughts.

#entrepreneur #advice #justdoit #eoy

Do the thing in u will get the energy to do the thing.