Dreams & Challenges

One of the first things you learn in an entrepreneurship Masters program is, get used to dealing with ambiguity because in entrepreneurship nothing is certain. In the real world, things aren't black and white, getting a product from being an idea in your brain onto the shelves of stores and into the hands of customers is one of the most complex, grey, ambiguous and difficult processes I have been through. Now imagine doing this remotely while working 80 hour weeks in Africa. 

Needless to say we have our challenges, but I think it says a lot about this team that we push onward. I think the most motivating and energizing thing in the world for me is that we are taking the leap and doing something different. Every rational mind would think, get a job.. forget this crazy idea and run to the safety of a cubicle. But we won't. We won't settle. Creating the WOOband is our dream and we are willing to sacrifice and live life in ways that many people will never experience in order to get to that dream. I think their is beauty and power in risking it all. 

Famously, in 1519 the explorer Hernando Cortez arrived on the shores of Mexico with a small army and the goal of conquering the Aztec Empire for their riches. When they arrived on shore, Cortez commanded his soldiers to burn their own ships. This was the ultimate motivation. He left no fall back plan. It was do or die, quite literally for them. 

Jarrod and I are both burning ships in our own right. As we burn the ships, we motivate ourselves and fuel our own passions and this company forward. I am extremely optimistic about getting back to Gainesville and for the first time having to opportunity to go full-force 210% pushing WOOband forward. 

WOOband in South Africa

Both WOOband founders are currently in Cape Town, South Africa working as part of the Entrepreneurship & Empowerment (EESA) Program through the University of Florida. The program sends students from 5 American Universities to work alongside students from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to serve as consultants to entrepreneurship in the townships surrounding Cape Town. The EESA Program is extremely intensive requiring 12+ hour days but between client meetings and exploring a new country, we are finding time to get inspired about WOOband.