Ten years ago the idea of getting into a stranger’s car or walking into a stranger’s home would have seemed bizarre and dangerous, but today it’s as common as ordering a book online. Uber and Airbnb have ushered in a new era: redefining neighborhoods, challenging the way governments regulate business, and changing the way we travel. In the spirit of iconic Silicon Valley renegades like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, another generation of entrepreneurs is using technology to upend convention and disrupt entire industries.
This was a fascinating look at the world of “Upstart Entrepreneurs” utilizing newfound technological methods in order to compete against long-established “brick-and-mortar” and “generational” businesses that have been part of our Americana culture forever.
The fact that a couple of young upstart entrepreneurs who founded Uber and Airbnb, could have entered into traditional territories that have been so “monopolize” over the generations, and become a “legitimate player”, lends credo to the fact that especially in America “almost anything is possible”.
I’ve been part of a couple of upstarts in my entrepreneurial career, one of them competing with a traditional business in a traditional industry, and another, the latest one, utilizing a lot of the new means of communication via technology, iPhones, iPads, apps, etc., and going against traditional means of communication. It is exhilarating, bringing a ideal to fruition, and the whole team working so hard to fulfill the vision.
Just as we read in this book “The Upstarts”, entrepreneurs do what entrepreneurs do, not so much because of the dollar signs that are dangling in front of them at some point, but because they have a passion, they want to prove a point of view, they don’t take “no” for an answer, and they want to change the “status quo”.
Young millennial’s, aren’t bound by a lot of the old styled “traditional thinking”, and to them, almost anything goes. And, as society adjusts to the new ways of doing things, is no longer unheard of for a stranger to jump in the back of the car of another stranger, and trust that they will arrive safely to their destination. Or that a apartment or homeowner, will open up a room in their home to a total stranger as well, and lived to tell the story. My, how times have changed!
A great book, whether young and old alike, if you have an open mind, I think you’ll get a lot out of this book, and see that the “world is your oyster”, and if you come up with a great ideal, but together the right team to help you execute the ideal, sell the concept to people who are looking to be “changemakers”, you’ll be off and running in no time at all.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
