.
It was TheCodeFactory opening day on May 26th 2008 and the common space was filled with 70ish people. A very happy day after longs hours of work in getting the space open. The truth of the matter, however, was that getting open was only the start of the journey and many more obstacles lay ahead. While basking in the glow of the opening celebration senior Ottawa entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Acorn Partners Peter Kemball took a moment to pull me aside and share this little nugget of wisdom. “Ian, when you start any business there are two years of darkness.” Not sure I immediately grasped the significance of what was said. However, I often find myself reflecting on these words and thinking to myself “have been at it for xx months only yy more months of darkness to go”.
.
Virtually every entrepreneur I have had the opportunity to chat with shares that fear of the dark experience … that first two years of getting going. This isn’t your typical fear but one that is acquired as you progress. Usually when you are starting out you are unaware of the pain that can be caused by bumping into things as you flounder in the dark trying to find your way. This is the sort of fear that you grow into as the stark reality of getting going strikes home. First time entrepreneurs are protected from the full impact of this fear by their own ignorance. More seasoned entrepreneurs tend to look at starting from scratch again through a different set of lenses that experience brings. James Scott, CTO at Klipfolio a successful Ottawa start-up came up to me after the O’Rielly Ignite Ottawa presentation and said that two years of darkness slide really struck a chord with me, many others have shared similar sentiments.
.
The two years isn’t an absolute; maybe it’s a year maybe it’s three, however, there is a definite period of darkness in getting going.
.
Tomorrows post: The Ugly – fear of pain
.
Ian Graham

Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Featured by Ian
No Comments »