Entrepreneurship

Because we live in a different world.  Job security is an illusion-- it is a thing of the past.   I have heard projected statistics citing the average American worker will hold eight or more jobs in their lifetimes-- some voluntary changes, some not so voluntary.  Many people have held multiple jobs before their 30th birthday.  Furthermore, the idea that a secure job is the safe way to go is a myth.  I have three key reasons in support of Defensive Entrepreneurship: Job security (or lack of it) -- In fact, having your income come from just one source is risky, and even dangerous ... Read Full Story

Welcome to Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, a new site dedicated to defensive entrepreneurship and becoming a defensive entrepreneur.   I am deliberately launching this site on Independence Day because one of my objectives is to help people find financial independence and success through entrepreneurship (Incidentally, I launched DaddyCooksQuick.com on D-Day, June 6th 2009). Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com is a sister site to DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com , which is a general interest, frugal lifestyle site.   If you are seeking to live a quality life on a limited budget, I invite you to visit that site as well.  This newly created site, Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com, will differ from its sister site in that it will go ... Read Full Story

Today, I am pleased to announce that I have launched a sister site to DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com .  The new site is Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com , a site dedicated to defensive entrepreneurship and becoming a defensive entrepreneur.  I am deliberately launching this site on Independence Day because one of my objectives is to help people find financial independence and success through entrepreneurship (Incidentally, I launched  DaddyCooksQuick.com on D-Day, June 6th 2009).  This is the first post from the new site, Welcome to Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com . Defensive-Entrepreneurship.com will focus on building, running, and succeeding at defensive entrepreneurial ventures.  The emphasis will be on defining, understanding, building, and implementing one or ... Read Full Story

Defensive Entrepreneurship is starting a business or businesses as a hedge against job loss or other financial setback.   In the current economic environment, many people would be well served by defensive entrepreneurial activities.  Unfortunately, to reap the benefits or help, they needed to start these businesses a year or two ago. These "spare time" ventures are usually conducted at night ("moonlighting") or on weekends.  They are sideline businesses that provide extra cash in good times that supplements your full time gig.  However, they can provide stop gap help in tight spots in the event of a job loss.  This happened to me a ... Read Full Story

Arthur Rock had his own way to take the measure of a man. When money-seeking startups knocked on his door, Rock looked for "intellectual honesty" in wanna-be entrepreneurs, not just promising business plans. Rock's money smarts and guiding hand turned feisty Silicon Valley startups into some of the nation's biggest technology companies. The venture capitalist played a key role in launching Fairchild Semiconductor, one of the first chipmakers; tech conglomerate Teledyne; and industry giants Intel INTC and Apple AAPL . An investment banker before turning venture capitalist, Rock didn't have an engineering resume that might've sparked his tech startups. He graduated from Harvard Business ... Read Full Story

After the shocking doom and gloom of Sequoia’s presentation “ RIP:Good Times ” , many in Silicon Valley have been in shock. The IPO market is shutdown for the foreseeable future. Entrepreneur’s dreams of vast wealth have vaporized in the ensuing realization of the scope of the economic downturn. However, wily entrepreneurs are trying to make the best of it all and the good ones know a “win” on their record with little to no pocket money is far better than a “crash and burn” on their record. Following the Bay Area Tech Wire and Venture Beat, there has been consistent news of acquisitions. ... Read Full Story

“It’s been an amazing journey,” says Executive Consultant Craig Todd about promoting to the penultimate leadership position in Ambit. Thirty months ago Craig was closing his finance business in Dallas. At the same time, the guy across the hall was also closing his business. That was (now NC) Frank Schmaeling. Both Frank and Craig didn’t know what was next for them. As Craig tells it, Frank mentioned, “A friend of mine is starting an electricity business. Ever heard of Jere Thompson? Ever heard of Chris Chambless?” Craig had heard of both Ambit Energy Co-founders. So he readily accepted Frank’s invitation to a meeting in ... Read Full Story