We’re supposed to understand the reasons we make decisions.
But the best decisions aren’t processed or calculated.
The best decisions come from people who combine experience, knowledge and intuition.
When we look at higher education curriculums where can’t we find either of those.
Where can we find simulated situations where people are given the opportunity to fail>
How did I learn digital marketing?
I spent money that was instantly wasted. I didn’t know how to target.
But those scares on my back have made me good.
But is that something that can be done at scale?
I don’t know. I know that I wish I could of been in a place where tech and marketing collided.
Where young developers and young marketers spent time in similar locations.
Why doesn’t that happen at Boise State?
My intuition tells me that it’s by design. It’s by design the the school of engineering, the school of computer science and the school of business share different pockets of the BSU campus.
And if you look at the major investors in these three schools, Micron and HP, why would you want to create entrepreneurs? There goal is to create employees and that is why the current structure exists.
When I was at Tyro, an advisor gave my co-founder and I a suggestion.
Leave this city.
He bluntly told us that we are 15-20 years to having any type of ecosystem.
We talk about wanting an ecosystem, the importance of an entrepreneurial community and the value of creating environments where young and old entrepreneurs can interact.
Where the fuck is it Boise?
We act like it’s here.
We blindly make blanket statements that this is the next tech hub.
Where is Techstars Boise?
Where Is BoomStartup?
Where is the seven incubators that Austin has?
We are not a startup hub. There is no capital here.
What we are though, is a small, tight knit community of thirsty entrepreneurs with cheap rent, digital competency and scrappiness.
We aren’t in the bubble of tech. The problems we see are real life, fly over people problems.
And these traits, these traits create a different type of ecosystem.
An ecosystem that is not VC reliant, but must be profitable since day one.
Day one.
And what’s most powerful about the necessity to be profitable from day one is that it forces validation.
It forces young entrepreneurs to understand the problem of product market fit because there is no other option.
And because of this I have faith in this ecosystem.
I have faith that companies will build in the shadows here, becoming the monsters that inspire quotes like “I’m not worried about competitors. I’m worried about the kids in the garage who are building the next big thing.”
The future of Boise isn’t on a trajectory to be a Boulder, an Austin or a Kansas City.
It’s a different path. I don’t know where it leads.
But I’m here, so I’m going to blaze the trail.
