Last year I was honored to be asked to speak about entrepreneurship at Rice’s “Unconvention” in celebration of its centennial year. Instead of talking about lean startup, customer development, fundraising, or many of the other very well covered topics out there, I chose to focus on a framework for entrepreneurship that is, well, unconventional. MyContinue reading “TEDx Talk About Entrepreneurship”
Category Archives: Profound Life Events
Inspiring TJ Football Players
Last weekend was my 15-year high school reunion, which coincided with TJ‘s Homecoming. I was honored to be asked back by the football coach to talk to the team before the game. I’ve done this twice before and both times the team has followed up with its first win of the season. I can’t claimContinue reading “Inspiring TJ Football Players”
A Life of Significance
In my last post I mused about my pattern of chronic overcommitment and speculated that a contributing factor might have been my father’s early death contributing to a sense of urgency to get something done before it’s too late. This is probably a bit simplistic as it neglects the motivation to do something significant in the firstContinue reading “A Life of Significance”
Finnish Wedding Part 2
Friday began with an amazing breakfast buffet at our hotel. It was a veritable smorgasbord of Nordic staples: pickled herring, mustard herring, marinated salmon, little pancakes, organic spelt/barley porridge with lingonberries, eggs, freshly baked bread, cheese, pastries, nuts/seeds, and fresh fruit. None of this wimpy continental breakfast for us – these Finns know how toContinue reading “Finnish Wedding Part 2”
Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections
A great deal happened on and around our wedding day. William and Kate were married a week before. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split up. Our dear friends gave birth to their first child. Animal Kingdom, a horse with ties to Hot Springs, Arkansas, won the Kentucky Derby. Rice baseball swept UH to continue itsContinue reading “Wedding Part 6 – Final Reflections”
Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath
Sunday morning we woke up for the first time as husband and wife. Practically speaking, nothing had changed. Emotionally speaking, everything was different. We had taken a big step and everything just seemed to shine. At breakfast the honey was a litte sweeter, the smiles a little broader, and the laughter a little louder –Continue reading “Wedding Part 5 – The Aftermath”
Wedding Part 4 – The Big Day
Saturday morning Katie and I arose; the sun was shining, birds were chirping, and excitement was in the air. After breakfast many of us set about making final preparations. Many of the women decorated the granaio, which would be the scene of dinner and dancing, while others picked local wild flowers from the countryside. WeContinue reading “Wedding Part 4 – The Big Day”
Wedding Part 3 – Our Last Day as Singles
Friday many of our guests went out exploring on their own. Some went to Florence, some to Lake Trasimeno, some to Cortona, and some just drove around. Katie and I stayed at the castle to enjoy the estate a bit and make any final preparations for the big day. Castello di Montalto is on 700Continue reading “Wedding Part 3 – Our Last Day as Singles”
Wedding Part 2 – Brunello di Montalcino
Thursday’s focus was on my favorite aspect of Tuscany: the WINE! After breakfast together (featuring exclusively food grown/prepared there at the castle or baked/prepared in the nearby village), we lined up an eight-car caravan to travel to the wine region of Brunello di Montalcino. The Garmin GPS that came with our rental car led usContinue reading “Wedding Part 2 – Brunello di Montalcino”
Wedding Part 1 – Arrival
The best week of my life – including the best day of my life – has just ended. I have had some really tremendous previous best weeks and days of my life, but this wedding really blew them all away. Everything was just so . . . so . . . perfect. Katie and IContinue reading “Wedding Part 1 – Arrival”