Nothing comes easy.
People only see the finished product (and couldn’t care less about the process).
It’s extremely important to keep people in your circle that share similar values.
When we started CAVE, we knew a few things. We knew it wasn’t a race to a million dollars. Sure, it would be nice, but we wanted to create an environment where we would be comfortable creating, building and refining our business. This summer marks a monumental stage in our development. We’ve hired an intern and welcomed Michael (our Head of Marketing) to work alongside us full time.
In short, this was made possible by our group’s deep belief in the CAVE brand and company culture. I may be a good salesman, but bringing people into a project with no financial plans (initially), certainty of success or any real experience was a daunting task.
So, how did I do it?
The truth is, I didn’t. Human beings work on incentives, whether social, financial or moral. With CAVE, there’s a mix of all three.
Socially, there’s something empowering about going backstage at your favourite artist’s show, or having a popular clothing company dress you because they feel you have influence.
Financially, the prospect of creating your own business is extremely appealing.
The moral incentives have been the most important. Working 40 hours a week in a frustrating environment (and barely making ends meet) doesn’t seem right. But it’s not the time commitment or workload I deem wrong. Instead, it’s the absence of passion. The passion behind what we do (whether it’s a 40, 50 or 60 hour week) makes it right.
Discovering and pursuing a passion you can live off is easier said than done. But it can be done. If you are willing to make sacrifices, work your ass off and take calculated risks, you’ll eventually see your efforts bear fruit.
The post Creating A Company Culture Built For Longevity – Letter From The Editor appeared first on Men's Magazine | Being a Man, Made Easy | CAVE Magazine.
