Thursday, September 12, 2013

Why Rock Climbing's First Ascent is Like Doing a Startup?
Thursday, September 12, 2013

Why Rock Climbing's First Ascent is Like Doing a Startup?

Screened SenderFilms rock climbing classic "First Ascent" with a group of startup folks in the office. The film is a documentary about those lone souls in Rock Climbing who are accomplishing incredible human feats to little or no fanfare and that the film is a celebration of these unheralded climbers.  Their "Marching Band"  so to speak.  In other words, a celebration of their achievement and a chance to shine the spotlight on their achievements.


First Ascent DVD cover.  Please go to Sender Films

You may ask what does rock climbing have to do with working in a startup?  The similarities despite the obvious physical differences are in that of the spirit and motivation of just going out there and doing it cause its there.  That the ultimate lesson of the film perhaps and for the viewer to draw upon is that success may not be all about the "glory" of being the first, but rather all of the relationships, friendships and journey that rock climbers and startup folks alike go on.  Its often the road less traveled.

Ultimately this is a shout out to all of those startup guys and gals, who toil in obscurity.  Who are not in it for the glory, but in it to make an impact on the world.  Those whose success may never look like a billion users or a gigantic IPO.  This is an affirmation of those who work day in and day out aspiring for more.  Add oil!