Comments on: The Missioneur Series #2: The one-eyed startup entrepreneur http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/ Because if I'm scared to say it, it's probably worth saying Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:48:04 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneur Series #1: Our startups and non-profits don’t have to die http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneur Series #1: Our startups and non-profits don’t have to die Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:23:00 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-265 [...] Part #2: The one-eyed startup entrepreneur [...] [...] Part #2: The one-eyed startup entrepreneur [...]

]]> By: Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneurs Series #5: Building the missioneurs community, together http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-229 Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneurs Series #5: Building the missioneurs community, together Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:57:08 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-229 [...] talked about how our startups and non-profits are dying needless deaths. Our startups are masters of execution. Our non-profits are masters of mission. Each is focusing on one at the expense of the [...] [...] talked about how our startups and non-profits are dying needless deaths. Our startups are masters of execution. Our non-profits are masters of mission. Each is focusing on one at the expense of the [...]

]]> By: Blake Jennelle http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Blake Jennelle Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:26:48 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-221 There's a big difference between an idea and a mission. I agree that some entrepreneurs, especially rookies, get fixated on their idea. But they usually don't get fixated on the question of why their idea matters, which is at the heart of a mission. Being fixated on this question is very healthy, because why an idea matters also raises the question of who it matters to -- and this gets to the heart of unmet market needs. There's a big difference between an idea and a mission. I agree that some entrepreneurs, especially rookies, get fixated on their idea. But they usually don't get fixated on the question of why their idea matters, which is at the heart of a mission. Being fixated on this question is very healthy, because why an idea matters also raises the question of who it matters to — and this gets to the heart of unmet market needs.

]]> By: Blake Jennelle http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-220 Blake Jennelle Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:22:30 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-220 It's really hard to know how to think about financing a mission-driven startup partly because it's still largely uncharted terrain. It's really hard to know how to think about financing a mission-driven startup partly because it's still largely uncharted terrain.

]]> By: Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » Missioneurs Series #4 – Missioneurs: Entrepreneurs with both eyes open http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-215 Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » Missioneurs Series #4 – Missioneurs: Entrepreneurs with both eyes open Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:06:33 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-215 [...] #2 (Today): The one-eyed startup entrepreneur [...] [...] #2 (Today): The one-eyed startup entrepreneur [...]

]]> By: talsraviv http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-214 talsraviv Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:08:30 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-214 Blake,<br><br>In trying to create a symmetrical ying-yang of personality types, you're misrepresenting startup entrepreneurs.<br><br>Social entrepreneurs may be missing half of the equation, but I don't think the same is true for commercial entrepreneurs. We fail from executing #4 poorly, because we are too inspired by our idea.<br><br>The problem is the opposite: entrepreneurs are too quixotic, and aren't objective enough.<br><br>It's true that social entrepreneurs have a lot to learn from commercial entrepreneurs, but it's not a two-way street. Commercial entrepreneurs are already human as well.<br><br>Tal Blake,

In trying to create a symmetrical ying-yang of personality types, you're misrepresenting startup entrepreneurs.

Social entrepreneurs may be missing half of the equation, but I don't think the same is true for commercial entrepreneurs. We fail from executing #4 poorly, because we are too inspired by our idea.

The problem is the opposite: entrepreneurs are too quixotic, and aren't objective enough.

It's true that social entrepreneurs have a lot to learn from commercial entrepreneurs, but it's not a two-way street. Commercial entrepreneurs are already human as well.

Tal

]]> By: Brian http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-212 Brian Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:01:37 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-212 I've been struggling with this myself with Enjyn, trying to decide under what conditions, how much and who's money I'd be willing to take, and what's the right time... so far we're lucky to have a start with F&F money, but that's only going to go so far, and my big goal is to find a mission-oriented angel who beleives in what we're doing for artists before then... if necessary, I'll take someone else's money and hope for the best, but I really don't want a blind pile of money that only cares about my exit strategy... We do have a mission, and I think the money needs to align with the mission, while the mission needs to understand that is has to have real money making potential to be viable. Maybe not 100-1000x return on investment, or maybe it does but not in 2-4 years, but most of those projections are hyperbolic and ludicrous anyway, and customers will respect a company with a mission in a way they wouldn't respect a purely profit-seeking beast. I've been struggling with this myself with Enjyn, trying to decide under what conditions, how much and who's money I'd be willing to take, and what's the right time… so far we're lucky to have a start with F&F money, but that's only going to go so far, and my big goal is to find a mission-oriented angel who beleives in what we're doing for artists before then… if necessary, I'll take someone else's money and hope for the best, but I really don't want a blind pile of money that only cares about my exit strategy… We do have a mission, and I think the money needs to align with the mission, while the mission needs to understand that is has to have real money making potential to be viable. Maybe not 100-1000x return on investment, or maybe it does but not in 2-4 years, but most of those projections are hyperbolic and ludicrous anyway, and customers will respect a company with a mission in a way they wouldn't respect a purely profit-seeking beast.

]]> By: Blake Jennelle http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-209 Blake Jennelle Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:31:48 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-209 I'm wondering myself exactly how VCs and angels play into this. You're right that if you're goals aren't aligned -- if the missioneur cares above all about mission and the investor cares above all about returns -- you're in for some problems. So in a sense, it may be easier for many investors to fund moneypreneurs.<br><br>That said, we are starting to see more investors looking at multiple bottom lines. And I happen to think that there are a lot of mission-centric business opportunities that can deliver VC-sized returns. I'm wondering myself exactly how VCs and angels play into this. You're right that if you're goals aren't aligned — if the missioneur cares above all about mission and the investor cares above all about returns — you're in for some problems. So in a sense, it may be easier for many investors to fund moneypreneurs.

That said, we are starting to see more investors looking at multiple bottom lines. And I happen to think that there are a lot of mission-centric business opportunities that can deliver VC-sized returns.

]]> By: Blake Jennelle http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Blake Jennelle Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:29:07 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-208 1. I agree in the sense that some startups can get by without a real (or remarkable) mission, but that they would probably do better with one. Others will need a mission to have much of a chance.<br><br>2. I have a bunch of examples and I think I'm going to put some of them into part 4, the one that describes a missioneur. The interesting thing is that most of the companies we feel strongly enough to love -- and that other people feel strongly enough to hate -- embody a mission. 1. I agree in the sense that some startups can get by without a real (or remarkable) mission, but that they would probably do better with one. Others will need a mission to have much of a chance.

2. I have a bunch of examples and I think I'm going to put some of them into part 4, the one that describes a missioneur. The interesting thing is that most of the companies we feel strongly enough to love — and that other people feel strongly enough to hate — embody a mission.

]]> By: Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneur Series #3: The one-eyed social entrepreneur http://www.blakejennelle.com/2010/02/the-missioneur-series-2-the-one-eyed-startup-entrepreneur/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Blake Jennelle (The Blog) » The Missioneur Series #3: The one-eyed social entrepreneur Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:22:05 +0000 http://www.blakejennelle.com/?p=741#comment-207 [...] we discussed the startup entrepreneur’s obsession with execution at the expense of ideas and the crippling effect this has on their marketing, sales and [...] [...] we discussed the startup entrepreneur’s obsession with execution at the expense of ideas and the crippling effect this has on their marketing, sales and [...]

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