Lessons in Entrepreneurship From Within The Battleground

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Roland Pinto

• Serial Entrepreneur
• Lessons in Entrepreneurship From Within The
  Battleground

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My journey through life as an entrepreneur and
questions you really need to ask yourself before
you leave your job and make that full time plunge
into an idea that may or may not come to life!
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Roland Pinto Who Am I?

• I am a serial entrepreneur this means I live to
  start, build, grow, or fail companies. I love the
  challenge!
• I have been in business for myself since I was 11
  years old, hired my first team at age 13. Took on
  corporate work at 18.
• I have succeeded 4 times and failed 4 times.
  Current failure rates are at 93.
• I can tolerate high amounts of stress and handle
  an incredible amount of pressure.
• You must be willing to take a risk knowing that
  you may, and probably will, lose everything,
  everyone, ALL!

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What is it like to be a Trep?

• Long long long long long hours. No sleep!
• No downtime, your brain always has to be on.
• 9am to 5pm? Umm, no way! Try 9am to 5am.
• Everything is on the line, money, credit,
  reputation, family relationships, everything!
• You will fail, just plan on it. Living like that
  sucks! Your life is chaotic. Chaos is your
  friend.
• Everything you do is for your business, you have
  no personal life at all. That is expected!

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Sounds horrible. Why do it and why not?

• Positives of being a trep

• Not what you think

• You control your fate
• You can really touch others
• The power to control creativity
• The ability to lead and build
• Happiness from contributing in and supporting
  your team
• Knowing you will have no life
• The ability to try, test, and fail or succeed if
  you are lucky

• Actually fate controls you
• And you can hurt them too
• If you are well funded
• As long as you know how to, chances are, you
  dont
• Or destroying their families
• Literally, none. You will lose your wife or
  girlfriend here
• Dont worry, you will fail

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It is a lifestyle! Dont forget!

• You will be always consumed by thoughts, stress,
  energy, passion, always on the go, always being
  pulled in twenty different directions, and
  everyone on your ass!
• Famous words by Roland Pinto
• Dream to live, live the dream. Try to succeed,
  be prepared to fail!

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Before you take the plunge

• Are you ready to do this

• Are you 100 sure? Huh??

• Do you have any savings?
• Are you ready to leave your job? Dedicate full
  time?
• Do you have total support from your partner?
  TOTAL?
• Is everyone aware of the risk?
• What will you do if you fail?
• Are you sure you can handle everything needed?

• Did you write a business plan?
• Did you think through all your costs and
  expenses?
• Do you have projections?
• What do others say about your idea? Good or bad
  idea?
• Do you know accounting?
• Do you have a lawyer?
• You are going to spend everything you have. Ready?

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The key to your success is your team. Build a
strong one!

• Then take great care of them. Do good by them,
  and support them as best you can. If you succeed,
  make them wealthy, if you fail, try not to hurt
  them too much. Make sure they know the risks
  involved also. That is critical!

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Just remember to have fun!
Think through everything and make the right
decisions. Done overspend, and hold onto the cash
that you have. That was my biggest mistake!

• Learn
• Focus
• Commit
• Risk
• Try
• No-Fear
• Plan
• Execute Carefully

Protect your investors interests at all times!
Dont forget Uncle Sam!
Make sure you can cover all of your costs, if you
cant be ready and able to borrow.
Again, just be careful, but not scared to move!
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If you need me or have questions I am always
available for any wanna be trep. Take the risk!
GOOD LUCK AND JUST DO IT!
Roland Pinto rolandpinto_at_gmail.com