It’s not about the money

by Amy Cheronis

There have been so many surprises diving head first into the world of startups.

There are the lovely, human surprises such as the fact that seriously, almost absolutely everyone is so generous with their time, making introductions and offering counsel and connections to help us build our agency.

There are the surprises around success and growth, that what you know and can offer after 20+ years in big agency land is actually relevant, appreciated and valuable.

And there are the surprises around talent, that we’re just in time with a new model of work that’s more about how some of the most interesting and innovative talent wants to live and work today.

But the biggest aha for us this year has been that it’s not about the money.

I don’t mean we don’t care about money. Or that we’re not making it. Or that we’ve lost the plot.

It’s just that the businesses we get to work on aren’t in it for the money first and foremost. We’ve learned that the really stunning start ups and disruptors get up every day because their idea, their offering is going to make our world better. They are going to fix one of the myriad problems facing business or humans or our planet. They - and their investors - have such confidence, data and insights about what they’re solving for that they know the money will follow.

Imagine what the world can be like for our children and for theirs if business is in business because they care. And then the ones who care, are the ones that win.

I’ve seen a whole new world and it’s not about the money.