Why We Do IT
“If you ask me to name the proudest distinction of Americans, I would choose- because it contains all the others- the fact that they were the people who created the phrase “to make money”. No other language or nation had ever used these words before; men had always thought of wealth as a static quantity- to be seized, begged, inherited, shared, looted or obtained as a favor. Americans were the first to understand that wealth has to be created.” ~ Ms. Ayn Rand
I’m not sure about you, but every time I am asked why I do what I do – I always think it sure beats digging ditches. I mean really folks let’s be honest here. Would you be doing anything else? Software is the most scalable profession this world has ever known and in this post-July 4th blog I was thinking – wow America created the industry. The Epicenter of it all. I believe that creating software is the epitome of The American Dream. An Idea, A Computing Device and a Connection. It is complete freedom. There are no rules. The only rules are mandated via the compilers and processors. The one-to-many multi-cast aspect of creating software and now DataSpaces is completely scalable. Doctors, Lawyers, and in some cases Stock Brokers are not scalable as many times it is a one to one relationship and is a time allotment with respect to target audience. If your creation is a hit then there is a non-linearity for scale that cannot be duplicated. Then comes the after affect. Money.
Most do not set out to say – “Hey I am going to make some money.” Nope in the software world you say, “Hey wouldnt if be cool if <insert idea here>.” I am really getting tired of people trying to soften the aspect of Extreme Capitalism in the software industry. So for arguments sake which I enjoy let us do a little play acting:
Entrepreneur: I am creating a Data As a Service company for Socnets
Venture Capitalist: So why did you found the Acme DaaS Corporation?
Entrepreneur: To save the White Hooded Wood Owls from extinction.
Venture Capitalist: Wow that is great I can definitely see my 10x return on this $10M Series A investment. Whoo Hoo! Lets do it! Woot!
Not realistic huh?
So lets step back here in a minute. If you want to be a philanthropist and have not inherited a ton of money then creating a really hot software company with a great exit is a way to get there so you can save the White Hooded Wood Owl. (DISCLAIMER: We are not being selective of wood owls please find the brown one here. In fact I do not think there is such thing as a white hooded wood owl).
So what should you say? Well Mr./Ms. VC I want to sell this and make a ton of…wait….keep guessing…. MONEY!
Don’t posture. Money Rules the game.
Until Then,