3...2...1 | Prepare for Liftoff
Selection Sunday Eve is upon us, our time has come, Sports Fans
As the clock winds down to Selection Sunday, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation, not just for the brackets to be set, but for a personal countdown that's been ticking relentlessly in my heart. The final three days in the lead-up feel like the count down from Mission Control before a SpaceX rocket launch (congrats to Elon btw on Starship reaching orbit - UNREAL), each second thumping louder than the last. The preparation for the liftoff of Rate Game in the iOS app store is akin to a meticulously orchestrated space mission, and here we are at the final countdown: 3...2...1.
Podcasts: The Modern-Day Campfire
In these final days of preparation, my thoughts turn to the modern-day radio shows, the podcasts that keep us company through the quiet nights of work and the bright mornings of anticipation. There's one in particular that resonates with me as the engines of my own endeavor roar to life: the All-In Podcast.
The All-In Podcast, with its cadre of brilliant minds—David Sacks, Jason Calcanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, and David Friedberg—stands as a testament to the collective power of experience, intellect, and candid discourse. Each Friday, they come together, not just to talk, but to dissect, debate, and delve into the current events that shape our world and the entrepreneurial landscape we navigate.
Their recent discussion on the trials and tribulations of the solo entrepreneur hits close to home. The fact that they dropped this very episode just last night, was like a sign from above for me. As they expound on resilience, on overcoming failure and rejection, I find a mirror to my own journey with Rate Game. Their words become a rallying cry for the undaunted spirit required to bring a vision to life.
Resilience: The Fuel for My Journey
Resilience, they argue, isn't something you're taught; it's honed through trials, through the very suffering that becomes the crucible for character. This notion couldn't be more true for me. Like the solo entrepreneurs they laud, I too have grappled with the immense pressures and the high stakes of creating something from nothing.
As Chamath puts it, to finish a company, to bring it full circle from inception to launch, is a path strewn with obstacles. It's a journey marked by failure, by expectations unmet, and yet, it is precisely these challenges that carve the path to success. The narrative of Rate Game is no different; it's a chronicle of persistence, of learning from every setback, and pressing forward with a belief that borders on defiance.
The Solo Entrepreneur's Creed
Jason's words echo as a creed for the solo entrepreneur. The indispensable skill set, the ability to convince others to believe in your vision without the allure of capital, and the relentless pursuit of marketable skills—these are the cornerstones of entrepreneurship. They speak to the essence of what I have tried to embody in the development of Rate Game.
David Friedberg's reflections on the necessity of enduring and thriving in failure resonate with particular clarity. The acceptance of rejection, the relentless cold calls, the days of humble beginnings—they are familiar to any entrepreneur's story, including my own. The road to launching Rate Game has been paved with similar experiences, each rejection another layer in the foundation of perseverance.
The Final Countdown
And now, as we stand at the threshold of launch day (most likely Monday since the brackets won’t be set until about 12:30a Macedonian time), the words of these thought leaders from the All-In Podcast serve as a beacon. They remind me that the greatness of Rate Game lies not in the absence of failure, but in the unwavering resolve to create something impactful. It is a reminder that, like a rocket bracing for liftoff, every system check, every calculated risk, and every moment of painstaking preparation, is in pursuit of that singular moment of triumph when we reach orbit.
So, here we are at the culmination of a journey that's as much about the spirit of entrepreneurship as it is about the product itself. With Selection Sunday upon us, Rate Game is poised on the launchpad, ready to soar. It's a moment that is the essence of every startup's dream—the countdown to liftoff, the anticipation of the ascent, and the promise of what lies beyond the stratosphere.
With a heart full of dreams and a spirit steeled by the wisdom of those who've walked this path before me, I invite you to join me in these final moments before Rate Game takes to the skies. Let's embrace the countdown together: 3...2...1—prepare for liftoff.
Sincerely, A New York Sports Fan on the Brink of Realizing a Dream.
Until tomorrow!