What’s The Biggest Surprise About Being A Startup CEO?

“Are you having fun?” Bob, our one and only angel investor, asked me after we got funded.

“I’m having the time of my life,” I told Bob.

And it was true. I was having the time of my life.

Picture: Depositphotos

I had been preparing for this moment for most of my professional career. Every position I had built upon the previous position.

So, by the time I became a CEO for the first time, I had about 20 years of preparatory experience. I had worked with great role models like the late Jack Gifford, Maxim’s CEO, and the late Ziya Boyacigiller (also of Maxim).

I learned a ton about being a CEO working with Jack and Ziya. Jack and Ziya taught me how run a company, build an organization, discipline, marketing, sales, and so much more.

I also learned a ton about not being CEO from some of the other CEOs I worked with like “Bob”. Bob was the CEO of a company I joined shortly after I left Maxim, and Bob was the classic Emperor that wore no clothes.

Bob never wanted to know the problems his company had. Eventually not wanting to see reality would cost Bob his company.

In fact, I learned so much about being a CEO that by the time I became a CEO that nothing…