By Nate Dolha
Published: April 6, 2013
So, I’ve been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, obsessed, really.
I’ve been thinking about it, day in, day out, year after year, but always I have chosen the safe path; the steady job with benefits.
This route has provided a home, cars, food, clothing, and most of the material things a modern family desires. In the midst of all this stuff, at the end of the day, that’s all it is; stuff.
Has this safe route filled my soul? Do I wake every morning ready to take on the world, to pursue passion, to receive the intrinsic reward of doing something that matters?
In a word: No.
It’s true that change in life is constant, and every change requires a catalyst. That moment in time, pushed by every moment before it, where something new emerges.
To explain how I arrived at my moment, let me take you back a dozen years or so.
As the new millennium dawned, I started building a life with my partner and best friend Kristy. This romance followed a fairly typical sequence; dating, cohabitating, engagement, marriage, real jobs, mortgage, and kids.
All of this, and the associated bumps, fit nicely in the To Be Expected column of my life sum. It is the things in the Completely Unexpected column that bring me to this point today.
As I have grown ungracefully into my new life roles; husband, father, company man, contributing citizen, I have had to question the belief in myself, and the kind of life I really want.
The last couple years in particular have been challenging for our family, with cancer claiming our patriarch this past October. For me personally, these events have started to provide clarity, to really spell out what leads me to a life well lived, and to nudge me closer to the edge.
Don’t get me wrong, this current career choice has been a good one; great colleagues, great pay, great benefits. It has provided a comfortable life for my family and allowed me to lay the foundation for success in my life.
With that foundation solid, it’s time to build something from the ground up, to remove the what if from the conversation.
So, if I haven’t lost you yet, let me assure you I haven’t completely gone off the deep end here.
If there is one thing that has stood out for me since arriving in Squamish, it is the potential for success here. Now, I’m not talking about the shiny elevator pitch that’s out there right now, while I do love the perspective it brings.
I’m talking about the hundreds of folks in the trenches; entrepreneurs who have found their catalyst, taken their own leap, and are giving it a go in our fine community.
It is these folks that provide inspiration and sage advice to dreamers like myself, and help create a local culture where vision, hard work and love of community make it all possible.
Most importantly, these brave souls are key drivers in a growing local economy, and many of tomorrow’s jobs will become the fruit of this labour.
Of course, starting a business is more than dreaming big, but it is a good start. What will I do? That’s for another day, but I will say this: When I make my leap into my future, it will be disruptive, it will be challenging, but most importantly, it will be me.
Thanks for reading, and I’d love your feedback. After all, sharing is caring!
You can find me on twitter: @natedolha
Richard Tripp says
Nate, I wish you all the success, by the many measures that you seek, in your ventures. Squamish is indeed blessed to have you and others of your ilk choosing to call it home.
As an emerging residential community, lacking in the jobs required to support the rising cost of living or provide enough transferable opportunities for it’s youth and young adults, a successful future rests with the ingenuity, grit and determination of brave souls such as yourself.
What has worked in the past is not going to apply now, or in the future and neither government nor big businesses are able or willing to provide the solutions. I think Squamish’s future chances of successfully transiting to a truly unique and sustainable community now rests with the efforts of individuals uniting (and compromising) to bring the best of Squamish and it’s people to the world. If the world sees value and opportunity in those offerings the world will come, those working hard to forge the path will be rewarded and Squamish’s long touted potential will be realized.
No doubt your contributions to those offerings will be well thought out and refreshing in nature, whatever they are.
You seem to be preparing for the plunge with your eyes wide open, a supportive family and network behind you … once you take the plunge you won’t be looking back!
All the best to you, yours and Squamish.
Dottie says
The very best of luck Nate and I’ll keep following you on twitter.
Cheers