I have had the privilege to access some of the most influential, powerful, and wealthiest people in the world. However, one of the things I quickly came to realize, in my early 20s when I began accessing these individuals, was the importance of not envying any man or woman, regardless of power, influence, and status. It is indeed quite rare that I am easily impressed by 99.9% of the people I meet. What impresses me most is what they stand for, their characters.
While I hold a very skeptical view of the charges levied against the once celebrated Silicon Valley CEO Elizabeth Holmes (I believe she is innocent until proven guilty and it is in my nature as a former criminal defense lawyer to think so), I can’t help but underscore an important message.
For every entrepreneur reading this, on your entrepreneur journey, envy no man or woman. This message holds true whether you are in a tech or non-tech industry.
Specific to technology, I find, most of the time, investors are clueless as to what they are investing in, and similarly the technology creatives they invest in may be brilliant but sorely lack the business acumen to successfully build and scale their technological ventures. Often, and at the end of the day, many investors get burnt. It is a common tale in Silicon Valley, but often stays confined within the tech industry walls, until a case like Holmes’ emerges.
It’s an unfortunate circumstance for Holmes, and before you are quick to condemn her, understand that if you are in the tech space and seek funding for your next start-up idea, this can easily be you, regardless of your past glory/achievements.
My 50 cents for all it’s worth.
-Ms. Uduak
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Photo Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images
Ms. Uduak is best known as an advocate who uses the tools of media and the law to help creatives and businesses clearly articulate their true brand identities, and communicate it to the world through their products and services, to maximize profits. She is a lawyer, speaker, author, journalist, and recognized thought leader, and trailblazer for her work on Africa’s emerging global fashion and entertainment markets, and the niche practice of fashion law in the United States. She is also the founder and publisher of Ladybrille® Magazine, and an Attorney and Partner at Ebitu Law Group, P.C, where her practice focuses on Fashion, Business, & Entertainment Law and Trials. For more information about her, visit www.msuduak.com.
