?!?!?

To be quite honest, my job duties change on a frequent basis and I’m not completely sure where my work will take me. What exactly do I do? I work on a startup that two friends and I cofounded last summer after winning a hack-a-thon in Tel Aviv, Israel. Whether you have or haven’t previously worked on a startup, I think I can shed some light into my experience through the trials and many, many mistakes we’ve made while running our startup.

The company we founded, Bread & Butter is a web and mobile-friendly software that makes it easier for non-profits (food shelters, missions, religious organizations) to view and collect all of the available food that can be donated in the nearby area. The reason most people don’t know who we are is because food donation is a relatively underground operation. The majority of people living in the United States have volunteered at a nonprofit once or twice, yet they don’t realize how much waste we create on a national basis. The problem with the food and food waste reclamation system is that there are so many smaller parties trying to solve the same problem. Our job is to bring them together.

There are three descriptions that help explain the duties of an entrepreneur in this industry:

•     Actor
•     Salesman
•     Therapist

I’ll describe these using a few examples from what I do on a typical day.

Actor

While I may not be a very good actor, the work of an actor occurs in these ways:

•     Attend networking events
•     Send emails around the clock
•     Be friendly and personable

How is being an entrepreneur similar to being an actor? As an entrepreneur your goal is to attend as many events as possible in your industry. Actors have to show their face at big events to stay relevant and people in your industry expect you to do the same, especially if you are expecting any favors anytime soon. If you have downloaded random email applications and managers to try to simplify your life and remind you of the various emails you forgot to send, you are probably on the right track.

Actors also have to continue to look for opportunities if they want to have the best chance of starring in the next big hit (unless they’re Liam Neeson). Ultimately, it is impossible to know who may be the perfect connection when at an event, at lunch, or anywhere in the world so be friendly and you may happen to meet someone of importance where you least expect it.

Salesman

In this role, the entrepreneur is required to pitch his vision to for-profits, non-profits, and anybody who could refer you to a viable lead. We accomplish this by doing three things: 

• Sell, sell, sell
• Shameless promotion
• Reject rejection
• Analyze your progress and make necessary tune ups to the pitch

To give you some insight, convincing food retailers – any business that sells food  (i.e. supermarkets, restaurants, etc.) – takes a bit of preparation, practice, and luck. You have to know the market and potential customer very well or they won’t give you the time of day. That means getting acquainted with the manager, knowing his or her schedule, and following up to make sure they don’t forget about you.

Another rejection? Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Leave your shame behind when you enter the door, because there isn’t enough time in the day to contemplate opportunities and rejections. If you are rejected, don’t be afraid to rephrase the question, use a smaller ask, or ask again at a later time.

Take every pitch you’ve made and see which works the best, which doesn’t, and which translates to better responses. You will start to see patterns of when managers are the most stressed, when is the best time to contact them, and what tone or angle to approach them with.

Therapist

The title may be a little deceiving, but as a founder your job is also to keep morale high. We can do so by doing the following:

• Facilitating constant communication
• Providing compliments on a regular basis
• Honest feedback

This part may sound a little odd but like any other relationship, managing a startup requires a team that enjoys the presence of the other members and is in good spirits. When teams are less hopeful, they are less likely to commit time and put forth their best work. Keep the compliments coming, and you will realize that even the smallest of things can truly make an impact on someone’s mood.

At the end of the day, you have to remember that you are a company and people may seriously rely on you for your service. That being said, all work and no play makes things less interesting and a lot more stressful. Honest feedback, time for fooling around, and open communication in a team can make the difference between a successful startup and a bust.