(1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Justin Arnold; engineer, Ironman, and entrepreneur. I am passionate about the environment, love to run, and enjoy building startups with amazing teams.
(2) In two sentences or less, describe how you participate in the startup ecosystem.
I’m part of a team that’s building a startup; we’ve been incubated, accelerated, and have sought funding. I’m also continuously educating myself of the space and mentoring my teammates as we grow.
(3) What are you currently reading right now and would recommend to others?
I’m reading “You Are A Badass” and “Shoe Dog”. I would highly recommend both.
(4) What makes you stay in the startup ecosystem?
The people, lack of monotony, and opportunity. Surrounding myself with a great team that keeps driving me to want to do better is key. I also really enjoy different challenges and solving new problems every day. Lastly, the opportunity; I thrive when building something from scratch that will have a big impact.
(5) What drives your passion about the startup ecosystem?
Helping people and building something truly unique with my team that challenges incumbents and the status quo. I’d also say the unpredictability and risk; I left my 9-5 years ago and have just been drawn to the challenge. The cards are always stacked against a startup. Succeeding and meeting milestones under intense pressure is so rewarding. I don’t think it can be done without a passion for the ‘startup lifestyle’.
(6) Where do you see the startup ecosystem in 5 years?
A bit more mature, and a lot more diversified. Activity in the Midwest will ramp up and international emerging markets will lead to a lot of innovation that isn’t tethered to the coasts. I’d anticipate a growing number of women-led startups and increased competition for capital. Additionally, I’d be weary of an economic downturn that could wipe out a lot of startups that aren’t prepared for less-than-desirable economic conditions.
(7) How has failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
It has improved my subsequent learning curves; reinvesting the knowledge of past failures into current initiatives reduces my current exposure to risk.
(8) What is one of the best worthwhile investments you’ve ever made (could be financial, time, energy, etc.)?
Meditation.
(9) What do you do to refocus yourself when you feel overwhelmed or unfocused?
Go for a run and/or meditate.
(10) What’s one piece of advice you would give someone trying to break into the startup ecosystem?
Be prepared to be uncomfortable and have your professional and personal elasticity tested while concentrating on building, validating and selling. Also, get your product in customer’s hands right away to create a tight flywheel between them and you to improve your iterations.
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