Rediscovering the Thrill of Entrepreneurship
Building dreams with your bare hands and watching them grow is a passion for many. Some journey away, only to be drawn back by the allure of their origins. Paul Austin-Menear is one such individual, an operator turned founder who found his way back to entrepreneurship after a decade at the helm of a global brand.
Paul’s story begins in his early teens with a paper route, navigating rain, snow, and aggressive dogs in rural Ontario. “I made absolutely no money at it,” he recalls, a humorous early venture that nevertheless planted the seeds for a work ethic and persistence that he would carry into adulthood. Similar lessons followed during his time at McDonald's, where he learned the art of operations at one of the world's most streamlined businesses. Despite the lack of monetary reward, these experiences became the groundwork for a life led by curiosity and grit.
As he moved beyond high school and started a consulting business in his university days, Paul’s aptitude for entrepreneurship began to take shape. He experienced his first “exit” at a young age. Though modest, it was a spark that ignited a journey filled with ups, downs, and a relentless pursuit of solving complex challenges. “There are very few concepts of playing the game,” he mentions, “building relationships and networks, they are so essential, yet I knew nothing of it back then.”
Moving from Peterborough, a small Ontario town bustling with hospitality entrepreneurs, Paul later ventured into more sophisticated business arenas. What followed were years of trials and triumphs, including fortuitous timing of selling his business before the financial crisis and ultimately joining Nanoleaf, where he spent a decade of his life.
It was his cunning strategy of mailing handwritten letters to get a foot in the door at Nanoleaf that marked his indelible startup experience. “Who sends letters anymore?” he jokes, but his unique approach landed him a position at the burgeoning company. At Nanoleaf, he brought a touch of maturity and discipline that contributed to transforming the company from a fledgling entity into a global contender.
With Nanoleaf thriving, Paul turned inward to ponder his true passions. He realized he longed to be the beacon for other small-scale founders, those facing wicked problems and scaling challenges. Now, he focuses his time on providing one-on-one guidance, teaching development courses, and composing insights in his weekly newsletter "The Journey", which helps others navigate their startup voyages.
Rediscovering his enthusiasm for helping entrepreneurs, Paul reflects with hope on the road ahead. He describes his mission with clarity. "There are barriers to climb over or crawl around, and I’ve been there before. I just want to help others do the same." His compassion for founders fuels his daily drive.
This entrepreneurial circle, from papers on the porch to council in the boardroom, seems far from complete. Paul’s narrative is far from just a tale of business, it's about rediscovery, service, and unwavering hope. When faced with doubt, he reassures, "Hope makes every wall less daunting.” And with Paul's guidance, those walls are bound to topple.
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