In my experience at a startup, I found many things to be eye opening contradictions of what I was taught in school, mainly college. “Systematic processes with finite rules and explanations that have no wiggle room, in which if you fail, you will be fired.”  That is what I learned from dozens of business classes in college.  Who knew the real world was a lot more like High School.

Day one at my first startup was not exactly what I had expected.  There were no men in suits and there were no exaggerated hierarchies there to intimidate.  There was however, something waiting for me at my desk.  Intangible as it may be, fun greeted me as I arrived.  I was asked to sit down and sell.  I wasn’t asked to make sure x, y, and z were done in order to sell.  I wasn’t thrown into a 10 day training class followed with an SAT type test to see if I would make it.  I also did not have people breathing down my neck to ensure I was doing my job.  From the moment I was hired, a trust was built that I felt unworthy of.  It instantly instilled a work ethic that led me to the top.  Naturally, being in sales, you always want to be the best.  Fortunately for me, I was given the one tool to make that possible.  Being surrounded by successful and money driven people.

As time goes on at a start up, the thought of “I could never work anywhere else” is a very prominent thought.  This is because the company was built correctly.  It drives a person when they finally understand this, because it makes them want to contribute to the companies success in a way that stands out.  This can come from Sales, Customer service, the Tech team, etc.  One should always aspire to be the stand out star.  Singles and doubles will sometimes get you around the bases, but if you can’t hit one out of the park every once in a while, you can kiss the hall of fame goodbye.