The Perplexing Predicament of Pioneering

Being a pioneer and attempting to sail uncharted waters is not an easy thing by any means. There are many risks and obstacles that must be overcome all while flirting continuously with failure, disaster, and unexpected complications. The overall struggle is evenly split between the internal and external. Internally, a pioneer (or entrepreneur), must regularly wrestle with self-doubt, second-guessing, and finding balance between many things…life and work, doing work yourself or delegating, choosing one path over another, and so forth. Externally, the pioneer must fight unbelievers, naysayers, lack of vision, competitors, sharks, pirates, and even resistance from friends and allies.

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"If this is such a good idea...

Why aren’t the big companies doing it?”

This is, perhaps, one of the most frustrating questions that I have been asked by investors, venture capital funds, and colleagues/mentors kind enough to take some time to look at my business plans over the last decade and a half.

The mentality behind this question assumes that big companies are naturally successful, smart, and have both the will and the resources to continually push for bigger, better, faster. If the “big boys” aren’t doing something, than it probably isn’t worth doing…because of course, you have to assume that they already thought about your idea and have discarded it as unworthy.

Ok, this sounds like it makes sense, but it is a very weak assumption. Big companies are

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