By Scott Meacham
Copyright © 2019, The Oklahoman
This summer, I’ve been writing about lessons learned since coming to i2E nearly six years ago — specifically lessons about technology entrepreneurship in our state.
It seems fitting as we head toward Labor Day, that I wind up this summer series with a recap of my heartfelt admiration for the individuals and teams in Oklahoma who choose entrepreneurship as a career.
I have held different jobs over my own career. I am an attorney. I have been a banker, and I was named Director of the Office of State Finance and Secretary for Finance and Revenue under Governor Brad Henry. Then I served as Oklahoma’s State Treasurer. I have worked with many dedicated, hard-working women and men who tackled very difficult issues.
After the past few years of working with entrepreneurs and their startups day in and day out, I have come to believe that creating a business from scratch (whether “scratch” is an idea on the back of a napkin or patented intellectual property) is one of the most challenging (and rewarding) career choices a person can make. Entrepreneurs deserve our respect.
Entrepreneurship is a 24/7 commitment for weeks and months and years. It means not taking a paycheck or a weekend off. It means asking friends and family to understand and to sacrifice, too. It means stumping for capital and stretching dollars until they squeal so your startup doesn’t run out of cash.
On the flip side, entrepreneurship is an unlimited opportunity to soar