Getting intentional about what’s next

What’s next?

In a year that has been all about transition, this question has been top of mind for so many of us. What’s next for our jobs? What’s next for our kids? What’s next for ourselves?

It’s the kind of question that can cause all kinds of confusion and pressure. Asking ourselves “What’s next?” involves getting clear on what we want, analyzing what might be standing in our way and then crafting a plan to push through the barriers. None of that is easy. But the process presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to do something bigger, more exciting and more meaningful in the next chapter of our lives.

The trick is, you have to lean into the question. You have to make sure you don’t let anyone else answer it on your behalf. And you have to be willing to reshape what’s next over and over again.

I’m writing this because “What’s next?” has been on my mind for the past two years. I spent two decades in the automotive industry, and in that part of my career, each opportunity seemed to feed naturally into the next. Then, in 2018, the company I helped found was acquired by a company I’d already worked for. I could have stayed, but when a colleague asked me what I wanted to focus on, I was faced with the reality that I really didn’t want to continue on this particular path.

I had to ask myself, “What’s next?”

There were a few things I knew to be true: I knew I wanted to work with companies where there was sufficient capital, good market timing and a solid team. I also knew I wanted to work with brilliant entrepreneurs — people who were doing and thinking about things that weren’t anywhere on my radar.

There were also quite a few unknowns: How did I want to work with these brilliant minds and high-growth companies? Where could I plug in and make a difference? And what would my ideal working relationship look like?

So I started talking to people. I inserted myself into Charlotte’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. I attended events (pre-COVID). I sat on panels. I became a mentor. I started consulting, and I thought I’d found my answer to what was next. Consulting would put me in the room with brilliant entrepreneurs doing groundbreaking things. It would give me an opportunity to leverage my experience and expertise to help them grow, fast. And yet something told me I still hadn’t found it.

This is an important part of the process of defining next steps: It’s not enough to think in isolation and wait for opportunities to come your way. Part of figuring out what comes next is figuring out what you want to do, and that’s trial and error. It doesn’t matter how senior you are in your career. The discovery is always in the doing.

Eventually, doing the work brought me to my answer. I found what would come next.

A few months back, I took on a new client, a Silicon Valley tech startup called Fyusion. The company applies 3D computer vision and machine learning expertise to make images as intelligent as they are beautiful, and it checks all the boxes. It’s well-capitalized. The market timing is superb. There is a strong team in place, and it is indeed led by brilliant entrepreneurs. As I began working with company leadership, I saw them begin to orient and commit to the work I was recommending. And I realized, this was work I wanted to commit to, as well.

When it became clear to me, I made it clear to them: If they were interested in adding me as a full-time resource, I was ready and willing. I’m now proud to announce I am the senior director of product delivery at Fyusion.

I believe in this company, and I believe in my ability to add value in my role. It’s the right fit at the right time. But the past two years have also reminded me that I’m not truly happy if all I do is work. I’ve donated a lot of time to startups and women-led businesses to help the next generation of entrepreneurs in this community, and I don’t want that work to stop, even as I take on a full-time role.

To that end, I am building an organization that will allow me to donate my time, experience and resources to support the work of others. I plan to continue mentoring startups in Charlotte and beyond, and I’m looking for new ways to lift up female entrepreneurs and give them the support I didn’t have when I was starting out. If I can be even the smallest stepping stone in someone’s success, I want to do that.

I know it is a luxury and a privilege to be thoughtful in the work you choose to pursue. Not everyone has that chance, particularly in the world we live in now. But I also know there are many of us who have the opportunity to shape what’s next but don’t take it. This is not about going off the grid or finding yourself. This is about being intentional about what’s next so you can have the biggest impact on the world around you.

I’m excited about this next chapter of my career. I’m excited about my commitment to keep giving back. At the same time, I haven’t stopped thinking about what’s next. You shouldn’t, either.

Change of Course During Crisis

Last weeks announcement of The Wing, a network and community space for women, closing its doors made my heart hurt. I don't know the founders, but I know the feeling. I ache for what they are going through. What so many of you are going through.

The founders of The Wing will be ok, their eventual bounce bigger than the drop, they just may not know it yet. You may not know it yet.

For many founders, a wondering day dream turned actual business is now a present nightmare. Perhaps there is momentary solace in knowing this situation is not necessarily corned on what you 'did or didn't do' to make your company thrive. Rather, the entire world is hurting and now your company is too. This knowing may provide temporary assuagement only to dissipate quickly in the reality of letting go something you've loved so much.

Coming to terms with the reality that things are not turning out as they could in other, "normal" times is a process. To the founders that are walking through the stress of this new reality, where the concern has manifested from sleepless nights to an entire body ache of dread, it will be ok. I promise you, there is a rebound after this.

I can still tell you where I was sitting when the, 'it will be ok' part hit me following a period of intense unknowing after I had to close a company I poured myself into. One month I was leading a thriving business and developing technology to support our national presence only to abruptly undergo an event that led to a change of course and our exit. I was reeling from the wind down, exhausted. I was able to move forward by allowing myself to know that if I had come so far, built something that people loved so much once, I could do it again. It may be different and it hurts, but the story wasn't over. I accepted that the learnings would make me a more compassionate leader and that it would all be worth it some day, for the time being however, this chapter was simply wrapping up with a much, much different ending than what we saw coming.

So know this - you will be ok. This event does not define you. What you do out of it will. To The Wing founders, you have already spoken immeasurably with the effort taken to care for your employees in this transition. You are still badasses. Take a breath, take some rest, then get going again. Not out of fear, but out of new opportunity. The world needs what you've got and we'll be excited to consume your next chapter.

Show me the seed money

Seed money – to borrow or not to borrow from family? Early in my career I heard directly from a guest lecturer, an entrepreneur, “don’t take money from family.” This person then reiterated, “whatever you do, DON’T". The point was belabored, enough to where it stuck with me and then, I went on to completely ignore their advice.

If you are already in a family business or have taken money from friends and family to start your business, you know that it can be challenging. So how can you continue down the path of borrowing or working with this close group and still emerge on the other side with your relationships in tact?

1. Establish expectations - When expectations are agreed upon (up front) it lessens frustration. Consider formalizing borrowing conditions and plan to communicate progress in routine investor updates. Communication is key to any successful venture, this includes sharing difficult news along with the good. Avoid going dark on the people that believed in you enough to sign over savings. Also, clearly articulate individual areas of responsibility with visibility into activities and accountability for results.

2. Guidance - You can only go to friends and family for so long before they may begin to question why they lent you the money in the first place. Seek subject matter experts or other business owners (particularly in a specific field related to your area of need). Consider joining a mastermind group or organize a dinner ‘club’ – the later sounds antiquated however breaking bread in an informal gathering with other business owners can help you reset, refuel and lead to relaxed conversation around solving some of your pressing concerns. This group will get ‘it’ and you need these people.

3. Fuel yourself – Just as your body can get tired and sore, so can your spirit. Don’t ignore what makes you your best - your team (including investors) will be taking signals from you. The well-being of a founder is intertwined with their business. Entrepreneurship is tough and many seasoned founders will attest to having ignored their own needs early on. Learn from this and take care of yourself along the way. You’ll be better for it and this will reflect in your business.

4. Have non-work topics on the ready - The day to day largely follows you to gatherings. An incessant string of business matters to attend to along with curious, well-meaning loved ones may result in never ending business talk encircling you. If you don’t want to forfeit the friends and family time that made you close before going in business together but your tired of all the work talk, offer up an alternative. Be ready to ask questions or share takeaways from books, shows, etc. that you have taken in. Point being, don’t lose interest in the things that initially made you interesting. Have other topics at the ready. This may feel silly, but it works when your brain can only think about your business.

5. Gratitude and realism - Adopt a pragmatic approach. You did this to yourself (after all the ignored advice) so be consistent with incorporating the above suggestions. You’ve got this. Also, maintain a spirit of gratitude - you are fortunate to have people believe in you so much that they would literally invest in you!

All ventures have ups and downs and investors shoulder the journey with you. Are you ready to share the ride with your friends and family? Are they? Communication is at the center of all relationships. Remember this as you journey through highs and lows – difficult news should travel as fast if not faster than the good.

Some of life’s greatest gifts include sharing experiences with our people - our friends and family. As you go through your seed round, who do you want on this journey with you?