Great Advice: Why I Read Biographies

I was thirty-five years old when I founded my first company.

With a “damn the torpedos” mentality, my partners and I dove into the budding age of technology start-ups with visions of grandeur.  We were confident and naive, certain that there would be a pot of gold and the end of our rainbow.

That winter, my girlfriend took me to a holiday party at her boss’s house.  It was an enormous McMansion, on the north side of Atlanta, magnificently decorated and catered with the finest food and drink.

The party was in full swing when her boss asked if I had a minute to chat.  We grabbed a drink, stepped outside, and sat by a fire pit.

The Great Advice

“I really admire what you are doing,” he started.  “It takes a special type of person to start a business and I am certain you will ultimately be successful.”

“My concern is your age.  Starting a business in your thirties is a risky proposition for two reasons.  First, your peers are not yet at a point in their careers where they can really help you.  In business, you will find that high-level relationships are a key to success and your network is not there yet.”

“Second, and more importantly, is that when you leave a larger company and strike out on your own, you lose the ability to have a mentor.  Think of those lessons you learned watching and being around your mentors.  Those days are over now.”

“My advice to you is to read as many biographies as you can.  Artists, inventors, politicians, athletes - read them all.  Learn what makes them tick.  Learn from their mistakes.  Let them be your mentors.”

The Pay Off

Over the next decade, I took his advice and devoured biographies.  It paid off, even if the pot of gold remained a bit elusive.

My shelves are filled with books about people like Neil Armstrong, Willem de Kooning, The Wright Brothers, Patti Smith, and James K. Polk.  Each book holds lessons that made me better - not only in business, but in life.

Reading these books helped fill a void and guide me.

Spreading The Word

Whenever I meet with young entrepreneurs, I try to pass along this advice.  I hope that it helps them the way it helped me.

If you know any, please feel free to share.