Today's entrepreneur: Arik Waldman

Meliza Solan Surdi · January 20, 2011 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/160f

No. 1 mistake: Putting too much expectation into things

Entrepreneurs embrace being at the forefront of change.

And, just by being there, they make a difference. We've recently created new profiles, specifically for innovators to express themselves by sharing their interests, lessons learned, as well as bits and pieces of their unique journey.

Today's entrepreneur is Arik Waldman, founder and CEO of TekTrak.

Like many innovators, Arik compares entrepreneurship to a roller coaster. He says that the ride is fun, scary, and exciting. But being an entrepreneur is truly about passion, persistance, and perseverance.

Before creating TekTrak, Arik was in business school. He was also a consultant for startups. He always advises entrepreneurs to constantly talk to people to get a sense of which features would be most important to use. As a consultant, Arik learned many things about having an entreprenial career. But last December, the roller coaster journey became a reality for him when he launched his first company. Being a first-time founder was more of an emotional ride for him.  

"Entrepreneurs should not put too much expectation into things because sometimes things won't go as they planned," he said. "You have to be able to adjust accordingly and give yourself enough buffer because circumstances will change. You have to be flexible."

Be sure to vote for TekTrak in the Vator Splash competition!

I Am: An entrepreneur

Name companies you've founded or co-founded:

TekTrak, Inc.

Name companies you've invested in:

Arik Waldman

Name startups you worked for:

Arik Waldman

If you are an entrepreneur, why?

I'm bursting with ideas!

List your favorite startups:

TekTrak, of course...

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

Rewarding - Doing something you are passionate about, getting up in the morning and going to sleep at night waiting anxiously to work more and do more - because it's yours, and it's for you. Seeing a finished product that originated in your idea. Priceless. 

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?

Relying too much on assumptions and expectations (so many unforeseen things will happen). Even worse is not being able to adjust to these changes because we're too emotionally invested in our companies to see the logical, business-oriented solution. 

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1. Don't waste time and energy on people who do not get it. Not worth the heartache and headache. If they got it, they would have done it themselves.
2. Things will not go as planned, so plan accordingly...
3. Talk to people about your idea/company. You need an objective opinion, and you might get some great ideas that will help your business.

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TekTrak

Startup/Business

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TekTrak is the team behind innovative mobile security software that protects your phone and the valuable data stored within. By harnessing the powerful Assisted GPS hardware integrated in smartphones, TekTrak is insuring no one ever loses their phone and privacy again. What started out as frustrating experience of losing a phone with pictures and data, has now become a mobile tracking and security business. Our security application allows users to remotely locate their phone, lock it, send a message, set off an audible alarm, and remotely wipe the data from the device. 

TekTrak is currently available on iOS and on Samsung Android-based devices, and will be available for other major platrofms within the next year.

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Arik Waldman

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