Walking the Line Between Dreaming Big and Reality | Joshua Mundy | TEDxOldHickory

Summary

The speaker shares an inspiring entrepreneurial journey, starting from humble beginnings with a single mother, selling candy as a child to fulfill his dreams. Despite challenges and setbacks, including losing a janitorial business and a failed restaurant venture, he persevered. A church sermon gave him the courage to pursue his entrepreneurial path. Eventually, he opened a dry cleaning business and later, against all odds, launched a technology school. His story emphasizes faith, resilience, and the importance of answering the call of one's dreams despite obstacles.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker's entrepreneurial journey began in 2005, transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to full-time entrepreneurship.
• 👦 Growing up, the speaker learned about the difference between wants and needs, which fueled their desire to take control of their financial destiny.
• 🍬 Their first business venture as a child was selling candy and Kool-Aid to peers, sparking their passion for entrepreneurship.
• 🧼 The speaker's first adult business was a janitorial service, chosen due to its low startup costs despite not liking the nature of the work.
• 🙏 After hearing a church sermon about 'Water Walkers,' the speaker found the courage to resign from their job and pursue their business full-time.
• 💥 Entrepreneurship brought significant challenges, including financial struggles, as the speaker often felt like they lacked resources to match their big dreams.
• 🍽️ After selling their janitorial business, the speaker ventured into the restaurant industry, only to lose their entire investment in 30 days due to inexperience.
• 🧹 Despite a lack of experience, the speaker followed their gut to open a dry cleaners business, which they successfully operated for 14 years.
• 💻 A leadership study trip to Austin, Texas inspired the speaker to start a technology school, even though they had no background in tech.
• 🌪️ Just as the speaker was on the verge of launching their tech school, a tornado destroyed their dry cleaning business, followed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but their decision to pivot to tech helped them weather the storm.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to become an entrepreneur?

The speaker was motivated by a desire for independence and self-sufficiency, which began in childhood when his single mother could not afford many of the things he wanted. This led him to start a small candy business, igniting his entrepreneurial spirit.

What was the speaker’s first entrepreneurial venture?

His first entrepreneurial venture was selling candy and Kool-Aid sugar bags to other kids when he was young, allowing him to make his own money.

Why did the speaker decide to open a janitorial service despite not liking to clean?

The speaker chose to open a janitorial service because it was an easy entry into entrepreneurship, requiring minimal startup costs. Although he disliked cleaning, it provided an opportunity to step into business ownership.

How did the speaker’s faith influence his entrepreneurial decisions?

The speaker's faith played a key role in his decision-making. After hearing a sermon titled 'Water Walkers' about stepping out in faith, he felt inspired to resign from his 9-to-5 job and pursue his entrepreneurial dream.

What happened after the speaker sold his janitorial business and invested in a restaurant?

After selling his successful janitorial business, the speaker invested in a 24-hour coffee shop despite having no experience in the restaurant industry. Unfortunately, he lost all his money within 30 days due to lack of experience.

What did the speaker learn from his failed restaurant venture?

The speaker learned that ambition and ideas are not enough without the proper experience and knowledge. His lack of experience in the restaurant business led to significant financial loss.

What major event happened to the speaker's dry cleaning business in 2020?

In 2020, the speaker’s dry cleaning business was destroyed by a tornado, followed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic two weeks later. This wiped out the business he had hoped to pass on as a legacy to his family.

What unexpected business idea did the speaker pursue after the tornado hit his dry cleaning business?

The speaker pursued the unexpected idea of opening a technology school, despite having little experience with technology. This idea came to him during a leadership study mission to Austin, Texas.

How did the speaker’s mindset about shifting focus help him as an entrepreneur?

The speaker shifted his focus from what he lacked, such as money and experience, to what he had, like relationships and determination. This shift helped him overcome challenges and move forward with his business ventures.

What is the key message the speaker conveys about pursuing dreams?

The key message is that dreams are constantly calling, and it's important to answer that call, even if it involves stepping into unfamiliar territory. The speaker emphasizes faith, perseverance, and focusing on what you have rather than what you lack.