The Lighthouse

As we are setting the stage for our company, I have found that one of the most challenging aspects of starting a business is trying to determine what information in the vast sea of good ideas, tips, and suggestions is actually pertinent. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the never-ending "Top 10 lists" guaranteed to change your life forever! I am learning early on that a critical skill required in a startup is the ability to process amazing amounts of information and determine which applies best to your business. My co-founder, Glen and I were reading countless books all with great ideas and advice. At times it felt like we were constantly changing directions subjected to the directional winds of the current book. Then, one day, Glen mentioned that I needed to order Steve Blank and Bob Dorf's The Startup Owner's Manual. While I was still on the phone, I promptly took advantage of my Amazon "one-click" purchase and the book was on its way. While I love to absorb all things "lean startup," admittedly, I was thinking that it will probably be good but just another startup book that will serve as a good beer coaster. It turned out though, that this book has become THE LIGHTHOUSE that we turn to when the rough sea of everyday information becomes too dense. We both made the commitment after reading the book that this will be our primary reference. In our fledgling startup, to this day, this has been the most important and liberating decision we have made. Now, we can absorb online information, read other books, and peruse "Top 10 lists" without being tossed about in a wayward direction. After all, we simply have to look up, and off in the distance, THE LIGHTHOUSE shows us the way! Oh yeah, hope you were impressed with all the sea analogies :)

Tony