Point 4 is the one nobody fully prepares for. You can stress-test a business model but you can't simulate who you are on the other side of the clarity that building forces. Most founders are navigating a quiet identity rebuild alongside the visible one — and that second process is usually the harder of the two.
Exactly, Jean! Well put. You’re building a company and quietly figuring out who you are at the same time. That part doesn’t come with a roadmap. For most entrepreneurs, it’s the harder work.
Yes! Building a business from the ground up changes us as human beings. This is so often lost in the conversation of scale and growth and what's next and that also contributes to the loneliness. "Who am I now that I have built this?" is rarely asked and leads to founders never quite understanding that their business needs to evolve as they evolve. It all moves so much more smoothly when we understand from the jump that we are human and evolve and our businesses must evolve with us.
Thanks so much for this comment, Callie! 🙏 We spend so much time talking about how founders build companies, but not enough about how companies build founders. The question, “Who am I now that I have built this?” is such an important one.
This was a great article and something entrepreneurs all need to read. I've passed it on to two groups I work with. WPO (Women Presidents Organization) and TheBWC (the Business Women's Circle). I'm hoping they will reach out.
Thanks so much, Myrna! Great to hear from you, and thank you for your support and for sharing our article with these wonderful organizations. 🙏 I truly appreciate it!
Point 4 is the one nobody fully prepares for. You can stress-test a business model but you can't simulate who you are on the other side of the clarity that building forces. Most founders are navigating a quiet identity rebuild alongside the visible one — and that second process is usually the harder of the two.
Exactly, Jean! Well put. You’re building a company and quietly figuring out who you are at the same time. That part doesn’t come with a roadmap. For most entrepreneurs, it’s the harder work.
Yes! Building a business from the ground up changes us as human beings. This is so often lost in the conversation of scale and growth and what's next and that also contributes to the loneliness. "Who am I now that I have built this?" is rarely asked and leads to founders never quite understanding that their business needs to evolve as they evolve. It all moves so much more smoothly when we understand from the jump that we are human and evolve and our businesses must evolve with us.
Thanks so much for this comment, Callie! 🙏 We spend so much time talking about how founders build companies, but not enough about how companies build founders. The question, “Who am I now that I have built this?” is such an important one.
Dan, can you send me Serena's direct email? The CEO of TheBWC would like to connect with her.
Hi Myrna! That’s fantastic. Sent. Check LinkedIn message. -dan
This was a great article and something entrepreneurs all need to read. I've passed it on to two groups I work with. WPO (Women Presidents Organization) and TheBWC (the Business Women's Circle). I'm hoping they will reach out.
Thanks so much, Myrna! Great to hear from you, and thank you for your support and for sharing our article with these wonderful organizations. 🙏 I truly appreciate it!