Kevin Holmes
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Summary
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Kevin Homes, founder, and CEO of Founders Network, a peer mentoring network for tech founders. We talk about his journey from history major to semiconductors to almost going to Guatemala to founding Founders Network nine years ago. We talk about how hard it is to be a startup founder and how that inspired Founders Network.
As an aside, I’m a member of Founders Network and also this year, the San Francisco regional director, so you can say I’m a fan of what he’s doing.
The reason I’m such a fan is that I know first hand the power of peer mentorship and why it’s vital for all entrepreneurs to have a kitchen cabinet to help them out. Being an entrepreneur is one of the hardest jobs out there. It’s borderline insane to think that your new-fangled gizmo is going to change the lives of customers or even change the world.
There is a lot of failure in being an entrepreneur and having a consistent, like-minded set of peers helping each other out is what The Entrepreneur Ethos is all about. In fact, you’ll hear during the episode the essence of what Founders Network is and part of Kevin’s fantastic forward to my book.
If you want to take a deep dive into how peer mentorship works or you’re interested in what a group like Founders Network is all about, then this one is a must-listen.
Now, let’s get better together.
Actions to Try or Advice to Take
- If I knew then, what I know now is the guiding principle behind how Founders Network tries to help out people.
- The values of the Founders Network includes AUTHENTICITY, RECIPROCITY, HUMILITY, and INCLUSIVITY.
- Culture is such an important piece of any city and company. It’s the water that you swim in. It eases communications and lowers the overhead of getting things done.
- If you give yourself 60 or 80 hours of work time, you’ll fill it. There is an endless list so pick the top 3 things to get done and don’t overwork.
- It’s a scary time right now. Everyone is freaking out about the future. It’s okay to admit that and have fear about it. The trick is to then move on from it and do something daily to do something about it.
Links to Explore Further
- Founders Network
- Kevin on LinkedIn
- Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- The Traitorous Eight Traitorously Leave Shockley Semiconductor
- Silicon Valley Genealogy