Business Philosophy

Passion (and some good timing) is the key to success in business and in life as well. That is not to say you have to turn your passion into a business, because you can have more than one passion; BUT its difficult to get up in the morning if you are faced with work that you consider just a job. A day lived with passion, I believe, is a day well lived.

That is why I encourage everyone to think in terms of three things

• People
• Passion
• Purpose

Most of what happens in our modern world involves people. If you surround yourself with people that share your passion and purpose you will do good things. As the great salesman and lecturer, Zig Zigler, often says, “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” So treat the people around you with care and good intentions and you will receive the same in return.

Sit down and meditate on your purpose, your values. What is important to you? That is your roadmap to success. How can one judge if they are accomplishing what is important to them if they have yet to identify what is important?? My theory is that the reason many of the “successful” people we read and hear about each day, who are considered successful because they are well known or financially wealthy, are unhappy because they skipped this all important step. Today’s world offers a dangerous trap to those who judge success by financial wealth and worldly possessions.

Open Water Ventures

At Open Water Ventures we strive to create businesses that encourage people to be active and connect with the outdoors. We do this through investing in companies, acquiring and managing companies in the active lifestyle business, mentoring business students and being an active participant in the venture community.

Climbing Wall Advisors

I also maintain my connection to the climbing industry through consulting with climbing gym operators and providing risk management services in climbing related litigation.