Mahalo Marty!
Big mahalos to Marty who submitted this question our very first audience question. Listen in and let me know what you think! What advice do you have for Marty?
If you like this feature, send in your question and I’ll give it my take.
Here’s the Grok version
I’m using Grok to rewrite my transcripts into actual stories - and I think it’s working out amazingly well. Below is the transcript reprocessed by Grok - with purposely minimal edits - I’d love your feedback!
Kicking Off Q&A
Hey, I’m Peter K, and I’m trying something new—answering your questions here on Substack. Got one? Send it in; I’ll tackle it, maybe even on video. I’ll keep names hush-hush—total confidentiality, you know? No freak-outs about being “discovered.” First up’s a gem from “Marty”—great question, and I’m diving in with my feral entrepreneur spin.
Marty’s Big Ask
Marty hits me with, “How do you deal with emotional ties to a business?” You’re getting older, craving more life, less grind—feeling stuck, can’t move on. Then Marty adds a twist—family’s tangled up in it too—not just cut-and-dried. Man, that’s real—let’s unpack it, ‘cause I’ve been there, right?
Never Get Attached
Here’s my take—never, never, never get attached to physical stuff like a business. People? Sure, cling to them—but a business is just a thing, a tool. When it stops working for you, let it go. I’ve done it six times across seven startups—stories like XenTec’s End are queued up to prove it. That’s the feral way.
Ego’s Tricky Trap
It’s tough, you know? You get identified with it—“This biz is me, I’m the biz, I’m known for it, blah, blah, blah.” Gotta ditch that. One day, it might not fit anymore—maybe it’s already there—and you can’t go down with the ship. I’ve seen folks cling ‘til financial disaster—warning signs ignored, sunk.
Family Ties Twist
Marty’s family angle? Tricky, but same rule—let go. Get everyone on board; they need to see it too. If they’re not ready, sell your share—let them run it, buy you out at fair market value. Younger folks might wanna keep it; fine, everyone’s got their life. I did that with XenTec—walked away (Editor’s note: stay subscribed for “XenTec’s End” queued up).
Rally the Clan
Or call a family powwow—get consensus. “Gang, we’re aging out; let’s move on together, orderly, max the return.” Find a buyer, sell smart—not emotional chaos. It’s a cash machine, not your soul. When it’s done, it’s done—don’t let it drag you under like I’ve dodged over 40 years.
Feral Cuts Loose
Bottom line? Don’t get attached to stuff—houses, cars, businesses—no way. People matter; the rest? Tools. When it’s not working—like Time’s a Beast (queued for future release) taught me aligning, not clinging—you drop it. That’s feral—six cuts, seven startups, still here. Marty, hope this hits home.
Your Turn Now
Got feedback? Questions? I’d love to hear—share your take, your stories. This feral entrepreneur gig’s a ride, you know? Helped Marty? Cool—let me know what you’d like next. Aloha, gang—keep the convo rolling!
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