CEO Thoughts: The Harder You Work

"The harder you work, the luckier you are"

I absolutely 1000% live by this motto. The craziest thing about owning your own business is that 1 day you feel like nothing can stop us and then the next you are like "what the hell did I get myself in." And more importantly, why did I try convince others to follow this dream of mine?? I feel a huge burden every day to not only let myself and my family down, but just as importantly, my team. Shit, it sucks sometimes trying to juggle it all. I try to overcome it by working harder than I ever have. Its weird but quitting never comes to mind. Its not an option and never will be. Even though we have our good and bad days, I feel it in my bones that the harder you work, the luckier you get. You know when you are out of shape and you try and push yourself……do you really try and go the extra mile? I don't. However after you have been working out for a little bit and you are super motivated with a goal, there is no stop and no quit. You wait for the day, the tipping point day.

Today it happened. Well, the beginning stages of it happened. The moment where I got the chills for the first time about the reality of the business…... Someone offered to buy the company. Holy shit, did I just hear that. Yup. The moment when I couldn't wait to tell the team. Oh man, I couldn't wait. I saw our future. I saw ISlide 2017 or 2018. I saw the vibe we have now BUT with money and way more people. I saw beer flowing, ideas spreading and people loving what they do. The goal in life: to be able to provide for your family in a way that you can absolutely love what you do every day. I am so thankful for all of my years in corporate America to prepare me for days like this. For the connections, for the experience and for the confidence to follow through on visions. We are far away from making it but I look at it as we are 1 step closer.

JKTOTD (JK thought of the day): I can't imagine losing my dad when I was 7. My dad lost his dad when he was 7. He and my mom are such huge reasons why I am the way I am and it would have sucked to not have them in my life at such a young age. I feel for anyone that went through losing anyone at that age. I think it makes you stronger but it still must be awful. I'm on a plane right now that is crazy bumpy. It would suck if this thing went down right now.

PS – It is now the next morning and I made it home safe.

Stand In What You Stand For - JK