| Think back to statistics class and the concept of the | | | | entrepreneurial endeavors, Ryan Wuerch |
| correlation coefficient - this month we are exploring | | | | commented, "My physical training has positively |
| the R2 between successful entrepreneurs and | | | | influenced my entrepreneurial endeavors by creating |
| successful endurance athletes. While hard core | | | | in me a confidence, energy, and discipline far stronger |
| statistics show that the odds are against | | | | than what they were before I began training." |
| accomplishing either if "success" is measured by | | | | Several entrepreneurs mention what Whitmeyer |
| generating millions in an IPO or being a top finisher at | | | | believes - that he has "less downtime due to illness" |
| Kona, I had the chance to interview 12 entrepreneurs | | | | and is more productive. Przybocki believes that his |
| who are very successful in their entrepreneurial | | | | endurance pursuits motivate his staff - when he |
| pursuits and when you layer on top their endurance | | | | started riding his bike to work, it encouraged other |
| accomplishments, we would all agree they are simply | | | | people to ride as well (either for commuting or |
| amazing. | | | | otherwise), creating a healthier workplace. |
| While we cannot conclude there is a scientific causal | | | | Wuerch is leading several athletes from his company |
| relationship between successful entrepreneurs and | | | | to form "Team Motricity" for the LA Triathlon- just a |
| endurance athletes, there is no doubt that similar | | | | few days before one of their industry's largest trade |
| characteristics are embodied in both classes of | | | | shows, to be held in LA. "I think that the excitement |
| individuals: discipline, extreme drive, and vision. | | | | and camaraderie generated by the triathlon will be a |
| "Successful entrepreneurs and athletes must have a | | | | great start for the show." |
| vision - and the dedication and drive to make that | | | | While endurance pursuits certainly demand time away |
| vision a reality," comments Ryan Wuerch, Chairman | | | | from entrepreneurial endeavors, Bergeron believes |
| and CEO of Motricity, "As an entrepreneur and an | | | | there is a symbiotic 'momentum' effect between the |
| athlete you face challenges and a level of intensity | | | | two which more than makes up for the time 'lost' |
| that sometimes seem too great to overcome, but in | | | | and therefore makes him more effective and |
| both cases, you push through." | | | | efficient overall. |
| Bud Whitmeyer, General Partner of Research Triangle | | | | Henry Kaestner, Co-founder and CEO of |
| Ventures agrees,"Both classes of individuals need to | | | | Bandwidth.com, whose Co-founder, Chairman, and |
| have the 'stick it out' mentality." Chef Sarig Agasi | | | | President, David Morken competed in Kona last year, |
| knows the recipe - he takes his time in the kitchen at | | | | states for him there is just the right balance, "While |
| Zely & Ritz named by Organic Style as one of | | | | I'm fortunate to work and train with a phenomenal |
| the Top 20 Organic Restaurants in America, but not | | | | endurance athlete, I'm not at the level where work |
| on the road. His best inventions, including special | | | | would hold back my ambitions for mega stardom..I |
| athlete menus, come to mind while training to break | | | | just don't have that opportunity and therefore I |
| 3:00 in the next Boston Marathon. | | | | don't have that tension. I find that a long bike ride |
| Donna Jensen, former CEO of in the bay area and | | | | can release pent up stress that comes with being the |
| now running Vibrant Ventures in Chapel Hill, believes | | | | final point of escalation for business challenges." |
| the correlation between entrepreneurship and | | | | What are the endurance pursuits of these 12 star |
| endurance sports is "a good, healthy supply of | | | | entrepreneurs? Whitmeyer enjoys masters cycling |
| 'endorphins'...the most successful entrepreneurs have | | | | competition and will participate in the Hilly Hellacious |
| high-energy levels and tremendous stamina probably | | | | Hundred in Asheville. In addition to several triathlons, |
| due to the powerful effect of endorphins." She adds | | | | Wuerch plans on running the NYC marathon and has |
| that she does not know of any entrepreneurs on | | | | set a goal to participate in an ironman in 2008. Durand |
| steroids! Jensen always loved to run and when she | | | | builds endurance through long bike races of 125 miles. |
| shut down in 2002, she signed up for her first | | | | Keith Boswell, Vice President of Marketing at rPath, |
| marathon and "discovered that euphoric feeling again | | | | has included his family down to his 7 year old who |
| at about mile 10 and was hooked." She discovered | | | | has his first kids triathlon at UNC. This makes his time |
| that she was not alone. "While training, I came across | | | | management easier because he can train for |
| numerous other CEO casualties who were also | | | | triathlons with his wife and kids. Boswell is aiming for |
| training for a marathon or triathlon. We laughed it off | | | | Pinehurst Olympic Triathlon, Inside Out Sports half |
| saying it was better than hitting the booze, but I | | | | marathon this fall, and the White Lake Half Ironman in |
| think we all knew that we missed the energy and | | | | May 2007. |
| excitement of it all." So, endurance sports are also a | | | | Kaestner states, "I have some unfinished business |
| perfect fit for entrepreneurs between ventures. | | | | left at the Blood, Sweat, and Gears Century...illusions |
| This also rang true for me - in 2001, after I | | | | of grandeur caused me to be near the front of the |
| completed my one year cross country tour of duty | | | | ride during the first part, only to bonk significantly |
| integrating OpenSite Technologies here in Durham | | | | after only 20 miles...I'd like to improve next time." |
| with Siebel Systems out in San Mateo, I started to | | | | Morken has on his plate Assault on Mt. Mitchell (100 |
| train for my first marathon with Leukemia & | | | | miles and several thousand feet of climbing), Duke |
| Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, and now am | | | | Liver Half Ironman, and Blue Ridge Brutal (another 100 |
| a trustee and board member where our mission is to | | | | mile + sufferfest with about 14,000 feet of climbing). |
| eradicate blood related cancers. | | | | He states, "I actually enjoy the high intensity and |
| Austin entrepreneur Kevin Przybocki, co-founder of | | | | duration of these sports, and one of the benefits is |
| Anue Systems, makes a profound statement that I | | | | higher energy and efficiency at work." |
| have also observed from the behavior of my bay | | | | Interesting training for busy business travelers include |
| area, Boston, and RTP entrepreneurial colleagues -- | | | | Bergeron's running of stairs every other day for 90 |
| "It's not for the fame, money or health benefits. | | | | minutes - "all you need is an iPod and a stairwell in a |
| There are plenty of other ways to make money and | | | | high-rise." He comments that this is great training for |
| to get in shape. For these activities it has more to do | | | | the Double Dipsea adventure race in Sausalito. |
| with challenging oneself, reaching goals, and achieving | | | | How long do these entrepreneurs hope to pursue |
| things that are personally satisfying. In both cases, it | | | | endurance sports and which will last longer? Bergeron |
| is a way of life, and a mind set, rather than an event. | | | | praises a 90-year man, a former Boston Marathoner, |
| 'It's in your blood' to be an entrepreneur or an | | | | who he sees on his step run in Boston. "He doesn't |
| endurance athlete." | | | | run the steps anymore, but he carries a backpack |
| David Motsinger, CTO of StrikeIron, describes his | | | | filled with weights...I hope to follow in his footsteps"... |
| entrepreneurial goals as not focused first on money | | | | I think he means literally! While some think their |
| but "to succeed in creating value that helps others, | | | | bodies will give out before their brains and others |
| helps myself and allows me to learn something new. | | | | hope to pursue their endurance activities even more |
| If in the process I can score a financial win, then that | | | | often when their entrepreneurism streaks end, still |
| is good too." | | | | others are like Wuerch who says "I plan on being |
| Pete Durand, CEO of Integrian echoes Przybocki's | | | | active and being an entrepreneur the rest of my life." |
| 'blood' sentiment when he states his entrepreneurial | | | | Agasi who started racing in marathons when he |
| goal - "build a great company, have a successful exit, | | | | turned 41 recounts, "My mom had just been |
| do it again." All the entrepreneurial athletes I | | | | diagnosed with cancer and that made me decide I |
| interviewed, like me, don't stop - we are all energizer | | | | needed to change my lifestyle to not only cook and |
| bunnies. | | | | eat healthy but also to start acting and being |
| Bryan Bergeron, President of Archetype | | | | healthy...I was literally running for my life." |
| Technologies, who serves on the medical advisory | | | | Morken, who started his first company in middle |
| board of Cary startup Virtual Heroes, and on the | | | | school and started triathlons while in the United |
| faculty of the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences | | | | States Marine Corp a decade ago, precisely states, "I |
| Technology program adds this important note -- | | | | expect both pursuits to die with me simultaneously." |
| "Endurance sports require the ability to work alone as | | | | Not a surprising response from the first overall |
| well as within a group." Team work certainly is critical | | | | finisher from North Carolina in the 2005 Ironman |
| at successful ventures and where would Lance be | | | | World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. |
| without the strategic peloton drafting of the | | | | There you have it - the spirited drive in |
| Discovery Channel Team? Cohesion of teammates | | | | entrepreneurs who attack endurance sports with |
| can make or break a successful finish. | | | | passion. From this snapshot of 12 successful |
| Individually, entrepreneurial startups and endurance | | | | entrepreneurs and strong endurance athletes, I would |
| sports each take a large investment of time. | | | | say there is a definite correlation between the two |
| Together, does one get hurt by the other? When | | | | drivers. I commend you and wish you all the best in |
| asked if endurance pursuits hinder or promote his | | | | both your ventures and races! |