False Starts and Precipices
February 12, 2026. Morning and looking forward to writing more blogs.
It has been an anxious month on the business end. I alluded to some great conversations I’ve had over the last few weeks and wanted to speak more about them here.
For me, a great conversation is one that feels natural and earnest. An undercurrent of excitement and possibility. Curiosity to see where a new or old connection will land. Each of the below examples had some form or another of the same, but it is hard to not have doubts creep in when the last stage of the conversation does not materialize under anticipated timelines.
First, I had a discovery call with a group of founders a few weeks ago who were looking to commence work. Hour long call, sent them some initial frameworks, paths forward, and an anticipated response last week after they’ve met internally. No response received thus far.
Next, email exchanges with a solo-led organization for a project-based scope of work. This has been in the works for a few weeks, and a clear path forward to commence has been put forward. I’ll give this some time to breathe, as our correspondences have been weeks or so apart.
Another, a referral from a friend and old client of mine for additional project work with a start-up. Anticipated a call this morning for discovery and was emailing about booking a time, but none received thus far.
Lastly, with an institution which was slated as a discovery meeting last week, but during our conversation, they brought up needing someone on a part-time basis and actively recruiting for that role. From the conversation, I was anticipating a term sheet over the weekend, but no response received thus far.
It is difficult not to scratch your head and take these as a personal matter when you are looking for your first green light. I’ve read stories and anecdotes from other entrepreneurs who are just starting out, and the general sentiment has been to gloss over the “hard” parts of starting and getting off the ground. Rejection is one thing – it provides certainty and clarity. Silence is another – it keeps you in a stasis state, not knowing whether you should be expending energy and thought into a particular avenue.
I know the people I interact with have lives and matters to attend to outside of a 1:1 with a new connection. It is the empathy of recognizing and giving others space. Perhaps it is another exercise of patience and trusting the process. Dare I say, enjoying the uncertainty and waiting to see what transpires. The real human aspect of this is on a minute-to-minute and hour-by-hour basis and I wish to validate my own experiences. I’ve been catching myself monitoring my inbox far too closely than I think is healthy.
Really, each step of creating your own business is riddled with difficulties and obstacles, often out of your control. In hindsight, getting set up and operational is a totally different effort than landing engagements and letting them unfold on their own. That seems to be a hurdle for me I am swinging my legs over.
A clear and unequivocal “Yes”. That would feel good. Exuberance and validation. Big Tiger Woods fan, and it would be the same fist pump feeling as canning an 18 foot birdie putt to turn a round around.
We’ll see where we land.
Warmly,
David
P.S., During the time of writing this blog, the institution had reached out informing me they are working on the SOW and description presently and I am to anticipate having that in my inbox by tomorrow morning. I’ve learned enough thus far to be hopeful, but not to make any decisions until something has materialized. Sending good intentions in crossing that bridge.