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42 Splash Points
1 comment
30 followers
7 votes
8 thumbs up
8 companies followed
3 competitions judged
1 comment
30 followers
7 votes
8 thumbs up
8 companies followed
3 competitions judged
Following
Followers
Brian Raney
CEO, APAX Software
www.brianraney.com
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Business owner
Member since November 12, 2008
VEQ: TM-FM-NW
Always do something awesome over something not awesome
I am a(n):
Entrepreneur
Companies I've founded or co-founded:
BookExchange.com, APAX Software, Awesome Inc, AwesomeTouch
If you are an entrepreneur, why?
I want to change the world.
My favorite startups:
AwesomeTouch
What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?
Just like anything else, the most frustrating thing to me about entrepreneurship is losing / failing. It can be a major blow to your confidence when someone passes you or beats you in a sale, contest, or other competition.
The most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur is seeing someone use your product and knowing that if it wasn't for you, the product wouldn't have been created. I remember starting my first business (BookExchange.com) to help students buy/sell textbooks directly to each other. The first semester I launched it I was blown away and became addicted to the feeling of having customers use my service.
What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?
Lack of focus
What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?
1. Fire fast
2. The team with the most best players wins (it's less about the idea, more about the team)
3. Don't hesitate. Develop a quick short term plan and then start acting. Take some time to think long term occasionally, but spend most of your time executing / acting on your short term plan.
Full bio
CEO at APAX Software. Founder at BuildingLayer. Founder at Awesome Inc. MS in Economics, BS in Computer Science from University of KY. Entrepreneur in Residence at University of Kentucky. I also coach competitive soccer. I love building a culture that attracts smart, creative people.
