Bob Cramer's Blog

One of the advantages of being an entrepreneur and CEO is the opportunity to work closely with people.   Relationships built in the trenches of start-up world often go far beyond typical professional camaraderie.   The tech-newbie roller coaster ride with its rapid business pivots, hidden curves and unforeseen corners put people together on a Six Flags Express sure to get adrenaline pumping and bring out the best and worst in all of us.

This issue resonates with me currently on the heels of a productive business trip.  Spending hours together driving instead of flying, sharing hotel rooms, communicating at all hours night and day, week day or weekend, the relationships forged in the pursuit of a common goal, to build a company, to be on a team, to trying to climb big mountains are some of the most special and intense human interactions you can have.

And like every start-up, I too have seen people come and go from my businesses over the years.  Change is a constant in these types of environments.   Just this week I was pleased to see a former co-worker happy in a new position, I also thought about a difficult and unfortunate personnel change that I had to make a year or so ago, and I reached out to another former colleague trying to restart a longstanding relationship.

We don’t always get everything right in the fast moving, multi-dimensional world of start-up, but to have a batting average better than most feels good.  Generally speaking, the bonds that I have established with people, working together under pressure and against the odds, are strong and provide a lasting connection.   I am thankful to have been a part of some great teams in the past, and I cannot tell you how proud I am and how much I enjoy and appreciation my colleagues at ThePort.