If you build it…
They will come, right?
We may not be plowing down corn to make a baseball diamond, but it feels equally wild. I’m cofounding a company with Jeff Huckaby and one more who will join us later centered on analytics.
Here’s what’s been fun: day 1, we built our website. Who are we? What are our values? What do we tell the world?
But equally, what do I tell those around me: Why in the world I am doing this?
In 2005, I joined a startup. There were days when several of us would sit outside the doors, hoping they’d open. And they did. That company went from 17 people to over 200 when I left. They were acquired just recently and rang the bell on the NYSE. Sure, this beyond best case scenario. I was there for plenty of the ups and downs and it didn’t happen overnight.
I’ve spent the current parts building a trajectory in analytics: running a department, consulting, coathoring a book and now leading. These all intersect to changing how people see data. But there’s also another piece, a very personal one.
For years, I never saw myself reflected in the room. I came to analytics from interpreting without the appropriate credentials, or so I thought. I struggled to find my place. Now, in starting a company, I made a place. Not just for me, but hopefully you as well.
Let’s play ball.
