FEATURED STORY: From big paydays to sustainable growth, success can take many forms. Some companies, such as Blaize and Origin Materials in West Sacramento, achieve IPOs. Others secure massive exits, like Folsom-based education software company PowerSchool, which Bain Capital acquired last year in a $5.6 billion deal. But in nearly every case, success isn’t an overnight switch. It’s a long-haul journey.
How (and why) do successful people succeed? It’s a relevant question, given an estimated 99 percent of book manuscripts don’t get published, 98 percent of actors don’t make a living, and 90 percent of startups are doomed to fail.
There’s a whole genre dedicated to cracking the code of success, predicated on the belief that the secret lies in focused action and intention rather than natural talent or luck. It ranges from the continually repackaged philosophy of manifestation to Malcolm Gladwell’s less palatable theory that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. The fact that most achieve liftoff only after numerous failed attempts gives credence to the importance of repetition; but then again, it is a resilient person who keeps trying.
The debate of aptitude versus practice reminds me of a Stephen King short story in which the son of a wildly successful novelist learns that his father, once a failed writer in mid-life, was gifted his talent after saving the life of an extraterrestrial. Now getting on in age, the son goes back to the cabin where the “gift box” still resides, and he opens it to see if he, too, will be granted the success he spent a lifetime wishing for. But the gift does not come to him — it only enhances that which is already there.
Perhaps something like that is going on with the founders we interview for Startup of the Month, who can almost always name a book that has influenced their trajectory. One of the most frequently referenced is “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries, who emphasizes “rapid experimentation and validated learning.” It’s also included on Forbes’ list of the top nine books every entrepreneur should read.
Because until we try, again and again, we’ll never know if we have what it takes. And that’s the hard truth.
- Dakota Morlan, Managing Editor
Here’s April’s Startup of the Month: Off The Wall Energy
With a family of six, Bob Guimarin had three “power problems”: 1) too many cords, 2) too many outages and 3) not enough ports in the van during road trips. Being a serial entrepreneur, Guimarin came up with a way to simplify power management and reduce reliance on external sources.
Other stories you may have missed: You No Longer Need to Wait Until Summer for This Sacramento Tradition
Since its humble beginnings in a tent nearly 75 years ago, Music Circus has been a summer-only tradition in Sacramento. The opportunity to expand to a year-round schedule came about with the closing of Sacramento Theater Company, which had shared Broadway at Music Circus’ theater campus at 15th & H streets since the early 1950s.
Getting to Know: Robert Heidt, Jr.
Since being hired as president and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, Heidt not only took the helm of an organization with an annual budget of $5.5 million, a 20-member board of directors and a fulltime staff of 10 plus “five contractors who have very specialized skills” — but also began what he calls “an apology tour.”
Editor’s Addendum: Meeting the Wolves
Judy Farah shares her profound experience visiting the Women for Wolves sanctuary in Placer County.
Recommendations from our staff:
Judy: Like many other sports fans this weekend, I was on the rollercoaster ride that was The Masters golf tournament. For both Saturday and Sunday, the competition was neck-in-neck, up and down. Rory McIlroy appeared to be the leader, but just when he was about to clinch the title he missed a putt, and the tournament went to a sudden death. (The last thing you want after watching 18 rounds of golf when you should really be gardening is having to watch a few more holes played.) Thankfully, McIlroy finally won, dropped to the ground sobbing, then went and tearfully hugged his young daughter Poppy before putting on the famous green jacket. One unique thing about The Masters: No cell phones are allowed, so it was refreshing to see fans enjoying the competition without constantly holding up their phones to record the action.
Jennifer: This week I read the 1855 edition of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.” I hadn’t cracked it open since high school, and I had no memory of how electrifying it is — and must have been even more so 170 years ago. Its interest in the interconnectedness of all living things seems at least a century younger. Check it out for yourself (and the gorgeous design on the cover, which would be at home on a metal album cover).
Odds and Ends
Each year, Comstock’s selects up-and-coming leaders throughout the Capital Region to feature in our Young Professionals issue. Nominate a mover and shaker age 40 or under who inspires you. Deadline for submissions is April 30.
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