Where’s your Sherpa?
When I graduated, I thought getting a job was (almost) automatic. I thought I was special and knew enough to land a big one – after all, I had been good in school, had excellent recommendations and had a great portfolio… I wanted to be a Creative Director in a major advertising agency, nothing less.
Resumes were sent, people were met, months went by. It took me 5 months to land my first job which, frankly, had nothing to do with creative direction.
Knowledge is one thing, experience is another. I didn’t know how the industry worked; how could I have known?
Sadly, you don’t know everything. If you haven’t raised money, done deals, started a business, etc you can probably use some help.
Figure out your weaknesses; I have a business advisor, a financial advisor, several informal business coaches and a Mastermind group in whose experience I can tap into. Buying lunch or giving 1 to 2% of your company is a small price to pay for a sounding board. Find yourself a Sherpa; someone to open doors and teach you how things really work (Jason Goldberg).