Hello World

The beginning is the most important part of the work – Plato

Backstory

Hi there, I’m Derek. I’m an investor in early stage consumer and fintech startups – focused on the themes of Web3, marketplaces, and micro-entrepreneurship. The idea of writing about businesses and those who build them is not new to me.

As a philosophy student in England I often spent an inordinate amount of time aimlessly wandering around the cobblestone streets of various European cities deep in philosophical thought (usually somewhere in Eastern Europe) while I wrote my masters thesis. During these philosophical musings, what often knocked me back down to earth was not some epiphany I had about Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason, but rather it was usually some retail store that had caught my attention. To my surprise these were often run and managed by the owner themself who warmly greeted me as I walked in and, always to their surprise, an American was now standing in their store who, from deep thought, probably looked dazed and confused.

After exchanging pleasantries a lengthy conversation would always ensue followed by them happily showcasing each product they had to offer and explaining the significance of why they were offering it (lesson #1: a good company always has a story to tell). Additionally this also meant highlighting the history and describing the culture of the area and how their product is ‘the original’ version and not some knock off you get in a neighboring city or country. What is business without competition.

Their enthusiasm for their products was beyond infectious. The customer experience was excellence par none. Over the years I filled countless notebooks of these conversations. Notebooks that were often bought at these very stores. Aside from notebooks, I bought many other things mainly because I felt connected to the place and wanted to be reminded of the hospitality the owner displayed and the craftsmanship of their products (lesson #2: we buy because we feel connected). 

This site is inspired by the idea of sharing those conversations and the notes that I’ve taken over the years while listening to founders of tech startups pitch me their businesses. What these conversations and notes reveal is the human side of the equation to entrepreneurship and business; the side that doesn’t concern itself with the technical skills like financial modeling, software engineering or any engineering for that matter, but merely with the desire to ‘connect’ with people. This element of business is often forgotten about, but when genuinely implemented it creates lasting impressions (like I experienced) and a devout customer base. Those connections have the power to improve lives, inspire change and open doors of opportunity. 

However, for far too long, mass media, business schools and venture capitalists seeking higher and higher returns have placed too great of an emphasis on this technical side, creating an invisible barrier that has stifled innovation and prevented many would-be entrepreneurs from even daring to start a business due to feeling like they lack the required technical skills. 

While not everyone is out (or for that matter needs to) change the world, it is enjoyable to listen to the stories of those with more humble aspirations. They may not make the cover of Forbes magazine but they are creating a renewed sense of community by proving why good retail matters, reinvigorating outdated shopping centers and building places to eat, meet and flirt. This is why you will find their stories here. 

A New Venture 

Where do you begin? The first thing you’ll need is a little inspiration. But before we start this journey I want to reiterate what EVERY entrepreneur goes through at the beginning – the feeling of uncertainty. 

The first post is arguably the most important. It marks the beginning of a new journey – for myself as the founder of this platform but also for those who are intrigued enough and decided follow along. It also provides context and sets the tone for what you can expect over the coming weeks and months and if all goes well, even longer.

Like any journey in life, no matter how big or small, the first steps are always the hardest. This could simply be from the fact that most journeys in life represent risk. There are many twists and turns and unknowns that lie ahead. Fear of the unknown creates apprehension which raises doubts of our ability to overcome the inevitable hurdles that can stop us dead in our tracks, preventing us from reaching the finish line (wherever that might be). Failure is a hard pill to swallow.

Achieving anything worthwhile in life however requires taking those first steps. Entrepreneurship is no different. In fact, you could strongly argue and many would probably agree that the first steps on your entrepreneurial journey are perhaps the most difficult steps you’ll take in life. This is not to discourage you in any way. It is merely meant to be anecdotal and designed to encourage, inspire and perhaps even gently prod you into taking the plunge to start something for yourself. As they say, “if someone else can do it, then so can I.”

Different Backgrounds 

The people you will meet throughout this site come from all walks of life and have held various professional titles. What is common to them all is that they took risks, occasionally screwed things up and learned from their mistakes. Each one of them persevered when times got tough and endured the ups and downs that go hand-in-hand with starting something new. In the end, we are all human. Building a business, whether it’s a coffee shop in Kyoto or a fashion brand in Budapest means deciding what to do differently.

Differently here does not mean that you try to game the system either where you win and everyone else loses. Instead, it’s about building something meaningful, interesting and with integrity.

In a world where we’re constantly stuck to screens and where algorithms dictate our next purchase, by bringing people together you already offer something that online marketplaces cannot replicate – human experience. Shops, cafes and restaurants have the potential to engage, surprise and forge unexpected connections in ways the internet will never. It’s the personal touch that often makes the difference at the end of the day. 

Please join me as I journey across the globe in search of businesses who have set aside the desire to put profits as their top priority or who are simply here to accommodate the first buy-out offer comes along. What you discover will often leave you inspired.