Categories
Richardson Writing Initiative

20 Years Ago, We Built the Future Boldly

Innovation happens when you’re willing to take bold, uncomfortable leaps into the unknown.

The Philip K. Dick Robot at Wired Magazine Next Fest 2005

Two decades ago, almost to the day, I found myself in the middle of one of the most surreal projects of my career: helping bring to life a robotic version of science fiction legend Philip K. Dick. At the time, I was leading corporate R&D and technology commercialization at the FedEx Institute of Technology and also a graduate student at the University of Memphis, serving as the project manager and fundraiser for an ambitious collaboration between our Institute of Intelligent Systems and David Hanson of Hanson Robotics. Together, we set out to build something that could think, speak, and wonder, just like the man who inspired it.

Our goal was to develop a robot that could hold a real-time, unscripted conversation, powered by early AI that processed hundreds of Philip K. Dick’s interviews and writings to recreate his intellect, humor, and curiosity about reality itself. And it worked. The android could look at you, recognize your face, and respond in Dick’s own words. In 2005, it was science fiction come to life.

That same year, we had the honor of receiving “Robot of the Year” from the American Association of Artificial Intelligence: recognition for a project that pushed the boundaries of what “thinking machines” could do.

A book was later written about our journey: How to Build an Android by David Dufty.

Chapter 4 opens with words I still remember fondly:

“Eric Mathews was something of an oddity of a graduate student.”

Fair enough. I suppose being an “oddity” is part of building boldly.

And of course, as many know, the story took a strange turn worthy of Philip K. Dick himself. The robot’s head was mysteriously lost in transit. One moment it was en route to Google HQ; the next, it was gone without a trace. It was a poetic ending for a project about cracking the mysteries of tech innovation.

Looking back from today’s world, where AI can converse, reason, and assist millions of people daily, it’s incredible to realize how far we’ve come. In 2005, we were experimenting with what might be possible. In 2025, we’re living in the reality we once imagined.

The project taught me something that still drives me: innovation happens when you’re willing to take bold, uncomfortable leaps into the unknown. We didn’t simply build a robot. We helped spark a conversation about what it means to build technology with personality, creativity, and even empathy.

Here’s to building boldly: then, now, and always.

Categories
Richardson Writing Initiative

Guest Post: The Pit Stop Principle

This guest post by my apprentice, Jaron Richardson, reflects on his Summer 2025 journey of entrepreneurial growth and personal transformation.
He shares how building systems, discipline, and purpose turned a season of challenge into a blueprint for sustainable success.

A Summer of Entrepreneurial Transformation

This wasn’t just a summer internship. It was a blueprint for how to live, build, and endure. Under the mentorship of Eric Mathews, CEO of Start Co., what began as an exploration into the mechanics of startups became a masterclass in becoming. I learned to build systems for sustainable success, align personal health with professional growth, and redefine entrepreneurship as a lifestyle rooted in strategic execution rather than perpetual hustle.

Entrepreneurship didn’t just teach me how to create. It taught me how to operate.

Racing Through Life: The Pit Stop Principle

Picture life not as a straight highway but as a high-speed race. Some enter the race with finely tuned machines: privilege, pedigree, access. Others build from the ground up, bolt by bolt. But the key to enduring the race isn’t about horsepower. It’s about how often you enter the pit.

The winners aren’t those who floor the gas until the engine blows. They’re the ones who master their rhythm, who know when to pull off, refuel, recalibrate, realign. They trust their systems and invest in their crew.

My pit stop wasn’t scheduled. It came in the form of pneumonia, a three-week battle that forced me off the track. But it didn’t derail the mission. It clarified it. I had ignored the warning signs, convinced that burnout was a badge of honor. It wasn’t. It was a signal that I needed a system, not a sprint.

Lessons from the Pit: Principles of Sustainable Entrepreneurship

1. Entrepreneurship Redefined
“Seventeen percent of something real is better than 100 percent of something imagined.”

Entrepreneurship isn’t defined by equity or title. It’s defined by execution. The power to act with freedom-within a company, a school, a family, or a venture-that’s true entrepreneurship. It’s ownership in action, not ego in theory.

2. The Paradox of Effort
“Your competition shouldn’t outwork you. But if you work without rest, you’ll sabotage your own advantage.”

Effort is not the enemy. Blind effort is. Strategic, consistent work punctuated by intentional recovery is where real compounding happens. The hustle isn’t about hours. It’s about output aligned with purpose.

3. The Humility Principle
“You are not special. You are responsible.”

This isn’t cynicism. It’s power. If your success doesn’t rely on being exceptional, it means you can build it brick by brick. It means the gap between where you are and where you want to be is one of discipline, not destiny.

4. The Power of Asking
“Ask like you belong. Price like you believe.”

Every breakthrough starts with a question. Every opportunity starts with a risk. Ask early. Ask boldly. And if it’s comfortable, you’re asking too small.

5. Continuous Learning and Mental Agility
“Best is finite. Better is infinite.”

The moment you think you’ve arrived, you stop evolving. Growth demands flexibility. Systems should be firm in principle but fluid in practice. You’re not building for now. You’re building for what’s next.

6. The Consistency Equation
Consistency leads to discipline. Discipline enables compounding. Compounding builds momentum. Momentum drives results.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present. Even when I was operating at 70%, I showed up. That rhythm created momentum more powerful than any burst of inspiration. Excellence isn’t found in heroic spurts. It’s built in quiet repetition.

From Theory to Practice: Systems Built This Summer

Eric Mathews Coaching Funnel
Mapped, designed, and systematized a scalable funnel for Eric’s mentorship programs, turning intuition into infrastructure and mentorship into method.

PeerTransfer: Five Figures in 50 Days
Co-founded PeerTransfer (peertransfer.online), a peer-led college transfer platform by students who “just did it.” In under two months, we reached five-figure revenue, offering coaching, strategy sessions, and a full toolkit to democratize elite transfers.

Men Making Men: Brotherhood for Builders
Founded Men Making Men, a principled brotherhood for 19 to 21-year-olds committed to character, mental wellness, and mastery. Built for men who measure success not by money but by discipline, service, and legacy.

Capital Connections with GVN
Led investor-founder matchmaking within the Global Venture Network. Our work created real funding conversations and relational capital that compounds.

Memphis Ecosystem Building
Expanded the Start Co. ecosystem by connecting with over 78 professionals through the AEI Summit and beyond. This wasn’t just networking. It was intentional relationship architecture.

The Personal Transformation

This summer didn’t give me a new resume. It gave me a new operating system. I no longer chase balance as a separate category. Health, growth, rest, relationships-these are now integrated. I don’t grind. I align. And I execute with purpose.

The Takeaway: Learn to Stop to Win the Race

The lesson isn’t that rest is weakness. It’s that mastery includes maintenance. Systems outperform brute force. A pit stop isn’t failure. It’s foresight.

We didn’t just survive the summer. We multiplied. In a season where I lost 21 days, we launched revenue-generating ventures, scaled mentorship systems, and built platforms to serve hundreds.

The setback wasn’t a detour. It was the exact terrain required to build the mindset for the road ahead.

“In order to succeed, you must take ownership and responsibility” not just for your victories, but for your vehicle, your pit crew, and your strategy.

Moving Forward: Hopkins and Beyond

As I enter Johns Hopkins this fall, I carry more than deliverables. I carry a philosophy: success is a system. Health is non-negotiable. Purpose is your compass. And you only go fast if you also know when to slow down.

I hope these reflections don’t just offer a look at my journey, but help you ask a better question about yours:

Where is your next pit stop? And who is in your crew?

This summer didn’t go as planned. It went exactly as it needed to.

And now, the race continues with clarity, with systems, and with purpose.

Categories
Richardson Writing Initiative

Books don’t just inform—they transform

This year’s reading list represents the direct implementation of many methods for growth and improvement found in books apart of last year’s listing: Add These Growth Oriented Books, a list of books specifically focused on growth and development. I stayed committed to both the quality and quantity of my reading. Through my reading it has become evident that books have become more than a habit for me, they’ve become a cornerstone of how I evolve. I don’t just read to learn. I read to shift. To rethink. To rewire.

Books don’t just inform, they transform.

They expose blind spots. 

They spark conviction.

They push you to let go of what’s no longer serving you and step into something deeper.

My capacity to read more books each year has steadily grown. This year, I read 48 books that did just that. My secret to getting through this many books in a year is using every format available — physical copies, Kindle, and Audible — often juggling two to four books at a time. After finishing each one, I make a point to pass along the best reads to others. While I fell just short of my goal of 52 books this year, I’m glad I got through these amazing books.

The Listings

Without more delay, here is a list of the books I have read in the past year. Most of them were recommended to me and now I recommend them to you. Additionally, if you want to see the other prior lists head to my posts entitled Increase Your Quality Inputs and Readers are Leaders. If you ever want specific book recommendations, please reach out.

  • The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
  • Adventure Capitalist – Jim Rogers
  • Good Energy – Calley Means & Casey Means
  • The Coming Wave – Mustafa Suleyman & Michael Bhaskar
  • The Fourth Turning – William Strauss & Neil Howe
  • Mastering the VC Game – Jeffery Bussgang
  • The Way of Integrity – Martha Beck
  • How to Develop Your Family Mission Statement – Stephen Covey
  • Economic Facts and Fallacies – Thomas Sowell
  • Stolen Focus – Johann Hari
  • The Art of the Deal – Donald Trump
  • Chasing Daylight – Gene O’Kelly
  • Eat That Frog – Brian Tracy
  • The 12 Week Year – Brian Moran & Michael Lennington
  • How Innovation Works – Matt Ridley
  • Buck Up, Suck Up… – Paul Begala & James Carville
  • How to Be Perfect – Michael Schur
  • Invisible Rulers – Renée DiResta
  • Moneyland – Oliver Bullough
  • Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellence – Chalmers Brothers & Vinay Kumar
  • Cultures of Growth – Mary C. Murphy
  • The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing – Al Ries & Jack Trout
  • Hooked – Nir Eyal & Ryan Hoover
  • Unreasonable Hospitality – Will Guidara
  • Getting to Yes with Yourself – William Ury
  • The Richest Woman in America – Janet Wallach
  • Empire Builder – Adam Coffey
  • Elon Musk – Walter Isaacson
  • Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds – Charles Mackay
  • Short Term Rental, Long Term Wealth – Avery Carl
  • More Money Than God – Sebastian Mallaby
  • Possible – William Ury
  • I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi
  • The Social Animal – David Brooks
  • You Need a Manifesto – Charlotte Burgess-Auburn
  • Marcus Aurelius – Donald J. Robertson
  • Trust Me, I’m Lying – Ryan Holiday
  • The Power Law – Sebastian Mallaby
  • The Creative Act – Rick Rubin
  • Side Hustle – Chris Guillebeau
  • How to Know a Person – David Brooks
  • The Practice – Seth Godin
  • The Comfort Crisis – Michael Easter
  • A Memory Called Empire – Arkady Martine
  • Vivid Vision – Cameron Herold
  • The 5 AM Club – Robin Sharma
  • Hidden Potential – Adam Grant

Categories
Leadership Startups

Motivations of Partners in Startup Communities

What are the motivations of partners working in the startup community?

I was on a call this morning that reminded me of something I wrote about ten years ago. Back then, I described the core reasons why corporations, small and mid-sized businesses, and other partners are motivated to participate in startup ecosystems. I originally shared those thoughts with a small group, but I think it’s worth sharing more broadly today.

As you might expect, the motivations and desired outcomes for partners and sponsors vary widely. These motivations can be thought of as existing along a continuum of return. At one end of that continuum is a Return on Involvement, which tends to be more intangible. At the other end is a Return on Investment, which is more concrete and economic in nature. The opposite of these two ROIs is what I call an isolation tax, which I posted on already.

Continuum of the two ROIs
The Two ROIs: Return on Involvement and Return on Investment

Here are some of the main reasons I’ve seen partners motivated get involved in startup communities, accelerators, incubators, and other support organizations. Moving from the most intangible to the most tangible types of return, here are some of the ways motivation of partners can manifest in your ecosystem:

Shared Beliefs/Altruism

They believe what you believe (women in tech, working in flyover regions, minority participation, industry sector) and want to feel good about supporting others who share their beliefs.

Brand Equity/Association

They wish to associate their brand with entrepreneurship, innovation, or other aspects of your program to enhance their brand and position in the marketplace. Simply, they want to be seen as cool which is a great motivation for a partner.

Recruitment

Through participation, these organizations demonstrate and communicate to future employees their commitment to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. They will have a greater ability to recruit talent attracted to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking because these future employees want to be around startup founders. For these employers, it is about culture building, but also the fact that the employees have the option to participate in cool work and connect with the community.

Retention

Employers can use participation in your startup program as a benefit of employment. They allow their employees to take some time, give back, and participate in the innovation economy. Employees get to work on the future or help build or support the creation of the future, which is exciting—without giving up the security of a job.

Exposure to the Future/Continuing Education

Let’s face it: some jobs are not going to expose employees to modern technologies or enable them to experiment with them. Some employers have their team members partner directly with startup programs for extended periods of time to help employees learn new methods and technologies. Even the leadership in your potential partners wants to be in on the ground floor of the future.

Access

Access to the network surrounding the accelerator program can be valuable to certain partners. Mentors, investors, and other partners often have other business projects in which the partners could also participate. This is where the trusted network of your program could provide value and highly motivate a partner.

Loss Leader

Participation now will give the partner an early opportunity for relationship building that could prove valuable in the future. You see this most directly with “perks” programs, where a company will give away or steeply discount its product or service for a certain period of time—until the startup business can fully pay for the service. Ideally, this is a win-win: the startup saves cash, and the corporation provides a valuable product with the understanding that it may take 3–5 years to get a return on the relationship.

Deal Flow

Corporations and investors are looking to find disruptive companies to work with and ensure they are ahead of innovations and trends.

There are certainly other motivations for partners, but we have found these to be the most prevalent. Note: partners are not motivated in just one way. They are typically motivated by a subset of the ones listed here. For instance, a law firm is most likely to participate for shared beliefs, brand association, and as a loss leader. A Fortune 500 company may be more motivated by continuing education opportunities for employees. An advertising agency in a flyover city may be most concerned about recruitment and retention of talented employees. This is why it is important to understand the beliefs, motivations, and desires of your partners as a startup ecosystem builder.

Big Picture Motivation of Partners: Open Innovation

Generally all these strategies fit within the framework of open innovation, which is a business and innovation strategy that encourages organizations to go beyond their internal resources and actively collaborate with external partners—such as startups, startup programs, universities, customers, suppliers, or even competitors—to develop new ideas, technologies, products, or business models. If you are looking to transform your community, build it with open innovation in mind and remind your partners of the two ROIs above.

Categories
Investing Startups

Mastering the Fundraising Game: My Lessons from 300+ Startups

After working with over 300 startups and seeing hundreds of millions raised, I can tell you: fundraising isn’t sales. It’s an entirely different game with its own rules, psychology, and winning strategies. Let’s look at mastering fundraising for your startup.

The Fundamentals: Why Fundraising Isn’t Sales

Mastering fundraising requires a fundamentally different mindset than sales. While salespeople focus on immediate value exchange, fundraising is about long-term potential and relationship building. Your goal isn’t to close a deal—it’s to find a partner who believes in your vision as much as you do.

The Numbers: What Mastering Fundraising Really Looks Like

An analysis of 200 successful Series A and Seed rounds reveals the stark reality of what it takes to raise capital:

Of the ones that were successful in raising money, they contacted 50 investors and secured meetings with 40 of them. The average fundraising cycle lasted 12.5 weeks (just under 100 days). Their pitch decks averaged 19 slides, but investors spent only 3 minutes and 44 seconds reviewing them via email. The most scrutinized slides when emailed were? Problem and Team slides.

The MOST Crucial Insight

Those who failed to raise money typically gave up within 6.7 weeks on average.

The lesson is clear—fundraising takes time. Persistence isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

The Psychology: Inside the Investor’s Mind

The Risk vs. Greed Equation isn’t just theory—it’s the fundamental law of startup fundraising. Here’s how successful founders can manage this equation:

Building social proof through strategic advisors isn’t optional—it’s a cornerstone of reducing perceived risk. Create artificial scarcity with round size caps. Generate FOMO through parallel conversations. Most importantly, de-risk through continued, rapid execution and clear metrics throughout the course of your fundraising.

Big KEY

Want to know the paradox that kills most fundraising efforts? To get the money, you must first prove you don’t need it.

Investors want to follow momentum, not create it. That’s why continuing to make progress is so important even as you fundraise.

Mastering Fundraising: The Process

  1. Make a list of investors that are actually good targets for your round, thesis, and vertical. Make sure it is above 50 targets (see stats above on success).
  2. Figure out how you can reach these targets with a warm introduction. If you can’t get a warm introduction then get more targets.
  3. Batch your outreach to schedule meetings. Target 10-20 meetings per week for the first month to get through first meetings with as many possible. Try to get to 40 or more meetings (usually a zoom meeting for first meetings). By front loading the first meetings you are keeping investors on similar timelines which will create natural competition and urgency to keep moving.
  4. Follow up systematically. The investors will not say, “no” to you (they can’t because it will close off the option to invest in you). They will say, “This is interesting; please keep in touch,” which means “Continue to make progress and prove to me you don’t need the money.” Do just that: send monthly updates showcasing key metrics and milestones achieved.
  5. Follow their due diligence process.
  6. After about 50 first meetings with the requisite follow-ups as well as continued progress everything falls in place. You will literally have mastered fundraising because: a) your pitch is better, b) your terms are refine to market conditions from feedback with investors, c) your progress continues, and d) they know that you are pitching lots of investors. A potential lead investor or two are going to see this and want to set terms for investment before someone else does. You have lowered risk. You have increased greed.
  7. With two potential leads hopefully offering terms about the same time, it is time negotiate to get the deal that will get you a great partner, and not necessarily the best deal. Get the best investment partner on good terms. That’s winning
  8. Leverage the momentum of the finalized term sheet and lead investor to finish out your investment round. When one investor commits, will others follow. You are “marriage material” now. Use each commitment to create urgency with others still deciding.
  9. Oversubscribe only to get more value added investment partners into your company. Investors that will add value to your business and advocate for you. Possible even investors that will lead your next round.
  10. Complete the legal work, secure the cash, and get to work.

PS: Want to learn more about mastering fundraising add this book to your reading list for more info. And no investors won’t sign your NDAs. Here’s why.

Mastering Fundraising
Learn about how you can mastering fundraising.

The X-Factor of Securing Investment: Why Conviction Beats Everything

You aren’t begging for money. You have a viable business opportunity that stands to make you and your investors rich. They need to place investment capital.

Thus you need to walk into every room with unshakeable conviction. Not arrogance—conviction. Investors aren’t just betting on your idea; they’re betting on your ability to execute against all odds and get them returns. If you don’t believe in the inevitability of your success, neither will they.

Present an opportunity, not a plea. Investors can either join your journey or watch from the sidelines as you build something extraordinary. Their choice.

Mastering fundraising means leading with conviction.

The Path Forward

The path to greatness isn’t just about thinking bigger—it’s about executing smarter. Your fundraising journey starts now. Build your list. Craft your story. Create momentum. The capital will follow.

Remember: The best founders don’t raise money—they build empires.

From “good ideas” to “funding success,” the gap is filled with persistence, strategy, and tireless execution. Every successful raise follows these patterns. Now it’s your turn to put them into action.

Reach out if you want to talk about mastering fundraising for your business.

Categories
Coaching Leadership

What Is the Isolation Tax in Leadership?

What Is the Isolation Tax? Isolation isn’t just a social issue—it’s a career and business killer. Think of the biggest breaks and insights that impacted your life. How many came out of the blue or by chance? A shot in the dark? Probably not many. They came from meaningful connections, deep conversations, and people that challenged your thinking.

Isolation of a Business Leader
Isolation of a Business Leader

The problem is we are getting more and more isolated as a society. What’s worse for business leaders is there are fewer and fewer people with whom you can have real, trusting conversations who aren’t also vested in the outcomes. As a result, you become more isolated the higher you go and the more successful you get.

Yet you can’t leave your personal and professional growth to chance and face the isolation tax alone.

What Is the Isolation Tax and How Does It Manifest as a Cost?

  • Missed Opportunities – Without a strong network and trusted thought partners, business leaders miss out on deals, collaborations, and career-defining moments.
  • Slower Decision-Making – Lacking diverse, objective perspectives can lead to hesitation, second-guessing, and costly mistakes.
  • Stagnation – Without outside challenges, leaders risk reinforcing their own blind spots, making it harder to grow and innovate.
  • Emotional and Mental Strain – Leadership can be lonely, and without trusted advisors, the stress can lead to burnout and poor decision-making.
  • Aid for the Extrovert – Many leaders are extroverted thinkers and literally need to think outloud, but the walls don’t talk back. You need someone you can trust to help you speed up your think by being present.

The “Isolation Tax” in Action

  • The Business Owner – Running a company can be an echo chamber. Without external advisors, you may struggle to see inefficiencies or new market opportunities.
  • The CEO/Executive – The higher you climb, the fewer people will tell you the truth. A thought partner ensures you hear what you need to hear, not just what others think you want to hear.
  • The Entrepreneur – Investors and employees have vested interests. A coach or mentor helps you navigate critical decisions without bias.
  • The Professional in Transition – Making a career pivot without external insights can lead to missteps. A mentor, coach, or thought partner accelerates the process and reduces risk.

How You Can Reverse the Isolation Tax

  • Engage a Thought Partner or Advisor – A trusted external perspective brings fresh insights, constructive challenges, and strategic thinking.
  • Build a Personal Advisory Board – Surround yourself with experienced mentors, peers, and experts who provide objective guidance.
  • Invest in Personal and Professional Coaching – A coach helps you break out of isolation, sharpen your vision, and accelerate your success.

The Smartest Investment You Can Make

For those experiencing the isolation tax—especially in matters that intersect both personal and professional growth—coaching isn’t an expense; it’s a capital investment in yourself. The most expensive thing you’ll ever pay for is isolation. The best way to avoid it is by getting a coach.

Get connected to get ahead.

Ready to break free from the isolation tax? Let’s start the conversation.

Grab a free coaching session with me here.

Categories
Coaching Investing Startups

Why I Don’t Sign NDAs (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t Ask)

Over my 20+ years of building startups, I’ve had multiple people ask me to sign NDAs for their new projects. It’s a great sign that people are always working on fresh ideas, and I’m honored that people want to share theirs with me. But signing an NDA? That’s a losing deal for everyone, and I don’t do it.

This has been talked about for years by others in varying ways, but I wanted to bring it all together in a form I could pass along to early-stage founders quickly. Hence this post. So if you already know the drill, head to my newsletter for other business and leadership insights. But if you haven’t heard, here’s why I’ll probably decline your NDA request:

  1. It signals distrust. Asking me to sign an NDA before you’ve shared a word is the equivalent of saying, “I don’t trust you.” And yet, you’re asking for my help? That’s a rough way to start a new relationship.
  2. It costs me time and money. Legal documents aren’t trivial. I’d have to pay a lawyer to review a contract without knowing if the idea even warrants that investment in legal work. No, I won’t “just sign it” because every contract is binding, whether I read it or not.
  3. Ideas aren’t rare. Harsh truth: Great ideas are everywhere. There is no idea marketplace, which tells us the value of an idea is zero. Execution, on the other hand, is what separates success from noise. If your idea is so fragile that disclosure alone could kill it, it’s already on shaky ground.
  4. It puts me at risk. If someone else shares a similar idea with me later, I could get caught in legal trouble through no fault of my own. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that I have heard the same idea in different forms or the same form many times. This is the nature of being an investor. Signing an NDA means stepping into liability I didn’t ask for.
  5. Trust is earned. If I had a history of breaking trust, you’d already know. You’d see it on the internet because reputation travels fast. If you have done your research and don’t believe I can be trusted, why are we having this conversation at all?
  6. It limits my ability to help you. The best thing I can do is talk about your startup to investors, partners, and potential hires. An NDA ties my hands and prevents me from connecting you to the very people who could make a difference.
  7. It can make you look amateurish. Not always, but often. Many experienced founders know NDAs are unnecessary barriers. A good investor or mentor isn’t going to sign one before hearing you out.
  8. Don’t give me your secret sauce. NDAs are often unnecessary because I don’t need to know the secret sauce to understand the value of what you are doing. If it is a special algorithm, formula, or widget, I don’t need to know how it works—I just need to be assured through validated testing that it gets the job done.

That said, NDAs have their place. Clients hiring me? Sure. Contractors working with sensitive data? Absolutely. Large corporations with established processes? Fine. But for an entrepreneur with a new idea, an NDA won’t make you look serious—it will just make sharing harder than it needs to be.

If your idea is in a delicate phase, only share it with people you trust. But remember—most ideas gain momentum when more people know about them, champion them, and want to see them succeed. The best strategy? Build something so compelling that people want to spread the word for you—no contract required.

Categories
AI Leadership

A New Era of AI in Memphis: From Deep History to Community Engagement

Author’s Note: This was written entirely by ChatGPT-4 under my direction to both inform others on Memphis connection to and work in artificial intelligence as well as to demonstrate the current state of the art of large language models. The image was made by DALL-E 2.

For over a quarter of a century, I’ve been both a participant in and witness to the transformative journey of artificial intelligence (AI) in Memphis. This journey is not just a recent trend but a long-standing tradition of innovation. With its deep historical roots and lively cultural scene, Memphis is now emerging as a dynamic center for AI in business, education, and beyond.

My personal journey with AI began as a researcher at Rhodes College and continued at the University of Memphis, where I served as Associate Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems. The community may not be fully aware, but our engagement with artificial intelligence truly gained prominence when Art Graesser and Stan Franklin founded the Institute for Intelligent Systems in the 1990s, putting Memphis on the map in AI research and development. These experiences not only shaped my understanding of AI but also highlighted the depth of Memphis’s involvement in this field.

In recent years, AI has integrated into various sectors in Memphis, from logistics and healthcare to financial services and robotics, revolutionizing how businesses operate and enhancing the city’s economic landscape. Last year, as an advisor to the Memphis Museum of Science and History for their AI exhibit, I had the privilege of showcasing the strides we’ve made in AI; this exhibit served as a powerful testament to Memphis’s evolving role in shaping the future of AI, highlighting our substantial contributions and illuminating the potential paths forward. The exhibit featured applications such as machine learning for vehicle maintenance and machine vision for social and practical robots that assist in our daily activities.

Building on this foundation, my wife, Jillian Friot, and I currently host monthly AI Meet Ups at our home. These gatherings, designed to foster a space for enthusiasts, experts, and novices alike, encourage collaboration and community building. The FedEx Institute of Technology has recently kicked off the 901 AI series, a new meetup focused on artificial intelligence and its real-world applications, which is now actively engaging our community and bringing together minds from all walks of life to learn, share, and innovate. Additionally, Scott Finney‘s AI meetups around Memphis have played a crucial role in demystifying AI for the broader community, making it more accessible and understandable.

At CodeCrew, where I serve on the board, Meka Egwuekwe and Audrey Willis, co-founders and driving forces behind our initiatives, are committed to ensuring that both youth and adults are prepared for the future by adapting our curriculum and other resources to focus on how students and adults alike can use AI in computer science and coding, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world. Their combined efforts aim to make AI knowledge accessible to all Memphians, bridging the gap between AI technology and its practical applications.

As Memphians, our unique blend of innovation and community spirit, along with our ongoing commitment to inclusivity, positions us as ideal pioneers in the AI era. The steps we’re taking in business, education, and community engagement are not only enhancing our lives but are also laying the groundwork for a future where AI fosters a more inclusive society. Let’s embrace this opportunity to lead the way, ensuring that Memphis remains at the forefront of technological advancement and community empowerment.

If you’re intrigued by the potential of AI or want to contribute to this burgeoning field, I encourage you to reach out and get plugged into our vibrant community. Together, we can continue to drive Memphis forward as a leader in AI innovation and application.

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Categories
Startups

The True Value of Entrepreneurial Competitions

As the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Rhodes College we run competitions to bring together our community to launch new ventures, but often we can lose sight of the true value of the work in the context of competition so I wrote this article to be shared with the campus community there, but it offers important lessons on business and competition generally so I wanted to post it here as well.

Entrepreneurial competitions, like an elevator pitch or venture challenge, are not just contests but milestones in a much larger journey.

Winning is often celebrated as the ultimate success, but it’s essential to understand that it doesn’t predict long-term success in business. Conversely, not winning isn’t a forecast of failure. Many businesses that launch come from individuals who will not clinch a prize.

Competition prizes are limited, but your potential is not.

You are limitless!

The purpose of these events extends beyond the immediate excitement. They are not merely contests, but collective endeavors to advance a multitude of ideas. We leverage these opportunities to help as many people as possible to refine their business ideas, articulate their visions, and network with like-minded individuals and mentors. It’s about creating a rally point where resources, feedback, and energy converge to propel everyone forward together – winning is independent of this and the least important outcome of the competition.

Competitions are objective platforms for growth and learning.

They serve as a practical exercise in the real-world dynamics of business pitching and development, offering a safe environment to experiment, learn, and evolve. Winning or not winning, every participant gains valuable insights into their entrepreneurial capabilities and the potential of their ideas.

We see these events as catalysts, not just for individual projects, but for fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. They are about moving together, leveraging our collective strengths, and helping as many ideas as possible to advance and mature.

Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is not linear.

It’s a path of constant learning, adapting, and persisting. Whether you’re in the spotlight of victory or not, what truly matters is the resilience to continue, the insights gained, the friends and advisors found, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.

Embrace these competitions as opportunities to rally together, support one another, and drive forward the spirit of innovation.

Why losing a business competition competition is good for your startup. https://techcrunch.com/2009/11/28/winners-curse-why-losing-a-b-school-biz-plan-competition-may-be-good-for-your-startup/

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Coaching Leadership

Guide to Unlock Your Potential

Embark on the journey of personal and professional development with this guide to unlock your potential. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business leader, or a professional aiming to elevate your career, understanding how to fully tap into your capabilities is essential — it is time to unlock your vast and full potential within. This guide provides actionable strategies and insights for achieving transformative growth and success in both your personal life and business endeavors.

Exploring Personal and Business Potential

Maximizing potential means harnessing your innate talents and applying them towards your aspirations. It’s a process of breaking barriers, overcoming challenges, and realizing your true capacity for growth. In the business world, this translates to career advancement, fostering a culture of innovation, and driving continuous improvement.

Strategy Guide to Unlock Your Potential

  • Self-Assessment and Goal Setting: Start with a deep dive into your strengths and weaknesses. Establish clear, attainable goals that reflect your vision for success.
  • Lifelong Learning: Embrace continuous education. Stay updated with industry trends and expand your skill set through courses, workshops, or self-directed learning.
  • Mentorship and Coaching: Leverage the insights and support from mentors or coaches. These relationships can provide personalized advice, foster strategic thinking, and help overcome obstacles.
  • Networking: Cultivate a robust professional network. Engage in partnerships and collaborations that offer fresh perspectives and opportunities for growth.
  • Wellness and Balance: Prioritize your health and well-being to sustain success over time. Achieving a healthy work-life balance boosts productivity and satisfaction.
  • Adaptability and Resilience: Develop the ability to adapt to change and recover from setbacks. These skills are crucial for capitalizing on opportunities and maintaining progress.
  • Strategic Planning: Craft a detailed plan for your personal and business goals. Focus on efficient resource management, task prioritization, and flexible strategies to stay aligned with your objectives.

The benefits of using the guide to unlock your potential are below.

A guide to unlocking your potential.

Benefits from the Guide to Unlock Your Potential

Committing to your personal and business potential can yield remarkable benefits:

  • Elevated Performance: Enhance your productivity by playing to your strengths and addressing weaknesses.
  • Staying Competitive: Keep ahead in a fast-paced market through innovation and continuous learning.
  • Personal Satisfaction: Find fulfillment in achieving your goals and realizing your potential.
  • Business Advancement: Drive growth and success with strategic planning and resilience.

Conclusion

This guide to unlock your potential is just the start. The journey is ongoing and dynamic, demanding dedication and strategic action. By adopting the strategies highlighted in this guide, you embark on a transformative journey towards unparalleled success and fulfillment in all aspects of your life.

Harvard Business Review – The Value of Mentoring

https://hbr.org/2019/02/the-value-of-mentoring

Guide to Conducting a Personal SWAT Analysis

https://bschool.pepperdine.edu/blog/posts/personal-swot-analysis-guide.htm