You're not a boss, founder, or big dog unless...

I was speaking to some kids at York College about being an entrepreneur.
They all liked the idea of working for themselves and being their own boss. Somehow they thought that being and entrepreneur was the free ticket to money and power. They didn't realize that working for yourself is 10x harder than punching a clock.

I am a serial entrepreneur. Record labels, management company, marketing firms, Festival, e-zine, Lacrosse team. Still not a millionaire but I guess that will come eventually. That's not why I do it, though. Not for the money, fame, power, or props. I do it because i need to create things. Realize visions.

In my journeys I run into kids who don't know better and fake execs who claim to be the boss but when the shit hits the fan their true colors come out. In my career I have only met and worked with a few men and women who are truly fearless. Unfortunately I have dealt with countless big mouths who are all talk and no action.

So here is my simple test. You're not really a boss unless:

-you have never had to make a payroll
-never hired or fired someone
-skipped multiple paychecks to keep the lights on
-had your name on the contract
-had to sign off to get the check cut
-been the name on the contract that gets sued when sh*t hits the fan
-actually come up with the idea rather than cherry picked once the hard work was done

Respect to all who do whatever takes to realize your vision.
And respect to everyone who has ever sweated it out with me

My unofficial thoughts on Amp'd's Chapter 11

In bullet form because the kids are all up now and I am on the clock

• They bailed the Festival out last year when other sponsorship deals fell apart so I can't throw them under the bus


• All the people I have dealt have all been cool and professional


• I have run my own business for 12 years and I know how tempting it is to believe the dramatic stories of executive incompetence and failure


• the reality is is it's never quite that simple


• Beware of the haters. the difference between a supporter and a 'I Told You So'-er is usually a check


• When people are making money from you, you are are a visionary


• When times get rough and money slows you are an idiot...or worse


• the Amp'd CEO seems like a smart cookie. The idea that this just got away from him seems less than logical


• I was reading a blog comment where some cat was baffled at how rapid growth can lead to financial problems. Obviously that guy is no MBA nor has he ever run his own shop


• Fantastic success is often worse than tremendous failure


• Think about it like this. Miles growing out of his clothes is just as bad as me not being able to buy him clothes in the first place. The result is the same.


• Chapter 11 is not lights out, that Chapter 7, I believe. Chapter 11 is give me a minute and stop calling me so I can get my shit together


• This could be a ploy in a power struggle between Amp'd management, the board, and Verizon that we are simply not privy too

Let's all just stay tuned and see what happens.