Astonishing Similarities Between Fearless Adventure And Best Business Founding

For years, The Wall Street Journal's byline was "Adventures in Capitalism."

Over the last decade, outdoor clothes made for climbing have become mainstream fashion. People at suburban coffee shops wear brands like Mountain Hardwear, North Face, and Patagonia, which were once only used by serious outdoor enthusiasts.

These references are made because people crave adventure. Defined as "an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity," adventure conjures images of faraway places, jungles, deserts, and seas.

Training

No one wakes up, climbs Everest, hikes the Appalachian Trial, or rafts down a Class V river. They begin with small steps to build the experience needed to accomplish the larger goal. The same is valid for business.

Funding

All adventures require money. For globe-trotting climbers, there is gear, travel, and months away from civilization. Startup founders have equipment, services, and months without pay. Before either can accomplish their goal, they must raise enough money.

Attempts

Those climbing massive Himalayan mountains may train for a year, travel thousands of miles, and spend weeks in base camp only to fail to reach the summit. Sometimes, it is their fault, but often, it is the uncontrollable that stops them from reaching their goal, which may take more than one attempt.

Death

Mount Everest is covered in the dead bodies of those who tried to climb it. Something similar happens in startups, where thousands of new companies are formed each year, but only a handful make it to the seed stage, much less to series A, and only a handful to a successful exit. Where you are going is marked by failure and death.

Overcoming

Those who make it to the top of a mountain or down a dangerous river do so by trying it repeatedly until conditions and knowledge combine in a way that allows them to accomplish their goal. The same is true for building companies. It may be the wrong market, incorrect geography, or bad timing. Regardless of how prepared you are, these things could stop you.

Persistence

The only way to make a successful business is to keep trying until everything lines up. This is why investors are willing to back founders off a failure. Learn everything you can, find people who can help, and adjust as needed as conditions change.