Lessons in Entrepreneurship From Within The Battleground

1. Roland Pinto Serial Entrepreneur Lessons in Entrepreneurship From Within The Battleground

2. My journey through life as an entrepreneur and questions you really need to ask yourself before you leave your job and make that full time plunge into an idea that may or may not come to life!

3. Roland Pinto – Who Am I? • I am a serial entrepreneur – this means I live to start, build, grow, or fail companies. I love the challenge! • I have been in business for myself since I was 11 years old, hired my first team at age 13. Took on corporate work at 18. • I have succeeded 4 times and failed 4 times. Current failure rates are at 93%. • I can tolerate high amounts of stress and handle an incredible amount of pressure. • You must be willing to take a risk knowing that you may, and probably will, lose everything, everyone, ALL!

4. What is it like to be a Trep? • Long longlonglonglong hours. No sleep! • No downtime, your brain always has to be on. • 9am to 5pm? Umm, no way! Try 9am to 5am. • Everything is on the line, money, credit, reputation, family relationships, everything! • You will fail, just plan on it. Living like that sucks! Your life is chaotic. Chaos is your friend. • Everything you do is for your business, you have no personal life at all. That is expected!

5. Sounds horrible. Why do it and why not? Positives of being a trep: Not what you think: Actually fate controls you And you can hurt them too If you are well funded As long as you know how to, chances are, you don’t Or destroying their families Literally, none. You will lose your wife or girlfriend here Don’t worry, you will fail • You control your fate • You can really touch others • The power to control creativity • The ability to lead and build • Happiness from contributing in and supporting your team • Knowing you will have no life • The ability to try, test, and fail; or succeed if you are lucky

6. It is a lifestyle! Don’t forget! You will be always consumed by thoughts, stress, energy, passion, always on the go, always being pulled in twenty different directions, and everyone on your ass! Famous words by Roland Pinto: “Dream to live, live the dream. Try to succeed, be prepared to fail!”

7. Before you take the plunge… Are you ready to do this: Are you 100% sure? Huh?? Did you write a business plan? Did you think through all your costs and expenses? Do you have projections? What do others say about your idea? Good or bad idea? Do you know accounting? Do you have a lawyer? You are going to spend everything you have. Ready? • Do you have any savings? • Are you ready to leave your job? Dedicate full time? • Do you have total support from your partner? TOTAL? • Is everyone aware of the risk? • What will you do if you fail? • Are you sure you can handle everything needed?

8. The key to your success is your team. Build a strong one! Then take great care of them. Do good by them, and support them as best you can. If you succeed, make them wealthy, if you fail, try not to hurt them too much. Make sure they know the risks involved also. That is critical!

9. Just remember to have fun! Think through everything and make the right decisions. Done overspend, and hold onto the cash that you have. That was my biggest mistake! • Learn • Focus • Commit • Risk • Try • No-Fear • Plan • Execute Carefully Protect your investor’s interests at all times! Don’t forget Uncle Sam! Make sure you can cover all of your costs, if you cant be ready and able to borrow. Again, just be careful, but not scared to move!

10. GOOD LUCK AND JUST DO IT! Roland Pinto rolandpinto@gmail.com If you need me or have questions – I am always available for any wanna be trep. Take the risk!