Parents should be great at start-ups

Parents should be great at start-ups

Some people like to take risks, and embrace entrepreneurial spirit, and some people don't. There is no right and wrong here. It is just the way it is.

My view is that most people will choose a comfort zone or an "uncomfort" zone - taking risk is not for everyone.

But hang on, how come then so many people get married - talk about taking risk. Look, that is just my view, I could be wrong.

But hang on again, also, so many people get divorced. I think that risk taking is something we all understand.

Now when it comes to start-ups, if you are going to take the risk, then really take it - give it shtick. If you are in control of your own destiny then don’t do a half-hearted job of things. To me a start-up is about all or nothing - if you are going to take a risk and start a business venture, then give it everything you got, and try to make hay will the sun shines. If, for example, you want to own and run your own business then do it right - if you are going to take a risk, then don't be scared to push the envelope - take it to the max.!

Parents should be good in a start-up . My mother, for example, will always worry about me, any time of day. There is no 9 to 5 routine when you are a parent - raising kids is not a part-time job (I am not saying I am still a kid, well, maybe). A parent can’t take their eye of their young children for a minute. They can't stop caring or worrying, ever. Being a parent is full time gig, 24x7.

A start-up venture is the same - you are bringing something new into the world. Your start-up is your baby. You nurture and invest in it, and you watch it grow - how can that be a 9 to 5 routine? It is all about an attitude - either you are in or you are not. You can't be half involved in a start-up, just like you can't half raise a child. If you raise a child on a part-time basis you are going to have problems. And if you run a start-up like a normal job then don't be surprised when nothing happens. Success is about an attitude, it is about passion and intensity, and it is about love and responsibility.

Raising kids, like growing a start-up is about an attitude - you need to eat, sleep and breathe this - it should always be there, top of mind. It is part of your life. It never leaves your subconscious. Yes, treat your start-up business like a child, but treat your partners and customers like adults - this is also key.

Posted by Ronnie Apteker