I was 25 years old when TGS opened in March of 2016. The truth is, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Like many entrepreneurs, I was high on passion but lacking in practical know-how.
Most founders and CEOs are generalists by nature. And that is a good thing! We know a little about a lot of things but rarely have deep expertise in one particular area. While some may see this as a weakness, I've come to view it as THE fundamental skill set for success in entrepreneurship. To effectively run a business, you need to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals but a mastery of none. It's about having a wide knowledge base rather than a deep one so that you can maximize your efforts broadly.
I always knew that success would hinge on my ability to assemble a team of individuals who possessed the expertise I lacked. Whether it was hospitality, finance, commercial real estate, or accounting, I made it a priority to have someone knowledgeable in each area by my side.
Finding experts is one of the early tests of entrepreneurship and one that you must absolutely pass. The first step is owning your strengths and weaknesses and then surrounding yourself with individuals who complement your skill set. One of the best places to do this is at a university. Universities are some of the best places to expand your network and broaden your knowledge base. Whether it's through lectures, seminars, or extracurricular activities, universities offer a diverse array of opportunities to learn about different subjects and connect with individuals from various backgrounds. School helps to make you a good generalist while also introducing you to a ton of subject matter experts. A win-win. I am a testament to this myself, it was during undergrad that I met my Co-Founder, TK Petersen.
As I reflect on my journey with TGS, I realize that being a generalist surrounded by experts has been one of our greatest assets. It has allowed me to adapt to the ever-changing demands of business and navigate through challenges with confidence. While I may not have all the answers, I know how to ask the right questions and leverage the expertise of those around me. Don’t let people make you feel like a broad knowledge base is a bad thing or that you lack the necessary industry knowledge to be successful. Surround yourself with those who have deep knowledge and trust your abilities in knowing a little bit about a lot.
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I’ll be reflecting on these topics over the next few weeks and am excited to be working with the Kennesaw State University MBA Program as a thought partner. You can learn more about their program here and if interested, attend one of their information sessions here.
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