Why Entrepreneurs Start Companies… And Why They Lose Them

The following article is a reprint from October 13, 2007.

Why do people become entrepreneurs? Some people believe that the answer lies in money; making money is only the score card in the grand scheme of things, but it is not the reason most entrepreneurs start a company. If this was true they would get a job instead of creating jobs for others around them. At least this has been my experience.

Entrepreneurs start companies to scratch an itch and beat out competition that they view as weak, or in my case, posses a desire to create new things, to take hold of a gift and to use it in ways that only you and no one else or no other company can harness. If you actually think about it, how many people want to start a company against competition that they think is doing a fantastic job at a great value? Not very many…

That is why small businesses will ALWAYS have a place against big businesses. Big business is inherently inefficient in areas, and in most cases, the entrepreneurial spirit was killed after the 100th employee started. What makes these companies “lose their way”?

They start down the path to nowhere the second they make a decision that impacts the customer experience in a negative manner for financial gain. It’s really as simple as that. Anyone that says differently is an accountant or a moron or knows something that I don’t. So with that being said, here are a list of a few companies that have traded their customer experience for some short term $$$.

1) Comcast – They just announced a “partnership” with several media companies for their DVR (Their Tivo equivalent). One of the requirements was that the commercials couldn’t be skipped/fast forwarded by the consumer. Who wants to have recorded content that can’t fast forward? While I understand the loss of revenue to them, the reality is that customers won’t put up with that after tasting what its like to have it. This is a HORRIBLE decision by their management.

2) Microsoft – They have gone completely overboard with their “Windows Genuine Advantage” that tries to make sure you have a legit copy of Windows. I don’t dispute their efforts to get rid of piracy, but their methods throw the baby out with the bath water. Their draconian measures to implement DRM into EVERYTHING and protect themselves at the expense of the consumer has marked a turning point in Microsoft’s management. They used to be all about the customer and profit. Now they are simply trying to stave off competition and maintain their stock price. Microsoft will never be what they once were, and based on their recent decisions I can’t say I am not disappointed.

3) Google – Yes, Google! Their technology is great, but their treatment of customers is truly abhorrent. They REFUSE to protect their customers from fraud in their ad-sense department because it affects the bottom line, and their phone service is nonexistent or utterly useless. I could excuse this in the early days because of growth and infrastructure problems, but with today’s demanding customers the only excuse they have is that it costs them money.

These, my friends, are simple, present examples of what good, hardworking entrepreneurs accomplished when they place money above that of the actual mission of the company, and that is providing the customer with the best product of service that they can offer. I know that is what I expect from any company I deal with, and that is what I try to convey to my customers. Now I know my base isn’t massive, but a word of wisdom, nonetheless.

Sean Wing is a 19-year old serial entrepreneur who currently serves as the Creative Director for ArisTech Media Corporation, a digital marketing and creative design agency based out of Orange County California. His goal is to change the world through philanthropic missions. You can connect with Sean on Facebook and Twitter.