Why?
It’s a simple question that requires a simple answer. Right?
Often times, it’s anything but.
Rewind about 6 months and there we are.
Nine companies, fresh faced, lunch packed, shoes tied tight, and a feeling of elation that we’ve just been selected.
The first batch to take a $20k pre-seed investment from Collider — QUT Creative Enterprise Australia’s accelerator program. In fact, it’s Australia’s first ever Creative Tech Accelerator.
Collider is home to a diverse collection of teams. Some of us are on a mission to build Artificial Intelligence that sorts our digital junk from our precious memories. Others are using drones to solve logistic’s last-mile delivery dilemma. Clothing startups are tackling problems in all sorts of areas: tailoring; advertising; manufacturing.
It’s impressive. And with so many fashion buffs around you can imagine how cool I am with my old $20 Kmart runners and exposed ankles.
One company is even crazy enough to think they’ll bring transparency to the automotive industry… oh wait, that’s us…and I’d say from that visual report my feet-tyres need replacing.
But when you put aside the fancy clothes, the cool tech and motivational posters, why are you doing what you’re doing…honestly?
After another weekly wrap-up between some of the founders, staff and our omnipotent facilitator, Mark B Johnson (I jest), the topic of ‘Why?’ was brought up.
Why are we doing what we’re doing?
Simon Sinek’s TED talk on How great leaders inspire action is a great watch. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend it.
This notion of ‘Why’ permeates Accelerator land — sometimes not enough.
CEA’s Projects & Community Co-ordinator, Tim Hui, recounted a story from the muru-D boardroom where investors & mentors would sit down with founders and ask them “Why?”. Really put founders on the spot, stare at them from the opposite side of a boardroom table and ask that simple, yet powerfully emotive, one worded question.
“Why?”
I may be oversimplifying the process, but when Tim asked the question I had an answer immediately ready. Of course I did. We had to pitch every week so it comes as second nature to blurt out the company line right?
“We’re on a mission to become to the leading authority …
uh. uh. uh. Lemme stop ya right there.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s critical to have that — One overarching vision about what you’re doing. A statement the company can get behind. But sometimes, we really, really need to be able to answer this one from the heart.
Why is the thing we’re doing important to us? Why is it important to society, to the world? Why are we ready to spend the next 5–10 years of our lives building something?
I’ve spoken about Mum & Dad before. They’ve run their workshop for over a decade and for me personally, this is why I do it.
In a previous life, running Zero Blink, a creative digital agency, we worked on projects large and small. For the first time ever though, I can see how we could positively impact millions of people with this product. From every day people like you and I who take our cars in for a service, to the hundreds of thousands of small to medium enterprises around the globe.
These are exciting times for us all.
What’s your why?
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Tyson Young is the CEO and Co-founder of Carisma, a tech startup on a mission to bring transparency to the automotive servicing industry. Interested in the space? Feel free to connect on LinkedIn.
