Values: A distinct feature of the family enterprise

I’ve spent most of my career writing about and hanging out with startups and entrepreneurs around the globe — an adventurous set of personalities to be sure. Most founders lead their efforts with passion and creativity — and possibilities anchored in the unknown. Passion sometimes exceeds reason in these cases. All of this energy is focused on one thing: raising capital. As part of that effort, a tremendous amount of time is spent explaining things and sharing ideas and educating people (mostly investors, friends, family, fools) why their particular idea is the next unicorn, the next trend, the next big thing. 

I know I’m not alone in this, but being around startups is intoxicating because… well, I have no idea why. Maybe it’s the newness. The potential for success. The potential for catastrophic failure. The risk. The reward. There is a little bit of magic when it comes to startups, and everyone wants to capture the unicorn. But the journey is perilous. Only a tiny fraction of startups survive more than a year, but out of the gate it’s one giant, adrenaline-pinching rush.

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About the Author(s)

Amy C Cosper

Amy C. Cosper is the former Editor-in-Chief of Family Business Magazine.


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