If you can’t change your situation, change your situation.

An assorted cast of Louisville’s digerati gathered at the new HQ of @nowsourcing last night to discuss the current and future state of startups and entrepreneurship in Louisville.

It was wonderful to see many of the usual suspects, but I also enjoyed the opportunity to be introduced to many of the new fonts of talent and creativity that are spearheading a new generation of progress, innovation and economic development in our area.

We’re all in agreement — I hope — that we no longer aspire to be the next Silicon Valley, Austin, or Boulder, but to achieve something else instead: to become the First Louisville.

I’ve challenged headlong and occasionally opined on the evolving state of entrepreneurship in Louisville for the better part of two decades while participating in the startup community here, and I’m thankful to have observed and aided in the progress and development we enjoy today.

When it comes to entrepreneurship in Louisville, there are those that make excuses and those that make things happen.

I’ve participated in both sides of that equation, and I’m more wise for having spent time in each.

Rather than emulate the outcomes of a vibrant startup culture we might observe elsewhere — more coworking space! more networking events! more venture capital! — we might elevate other characteristics that foment successful communities of innovation:

Fail fast, fail forward

• Maybe you’re too early. Maybe you’re too late. Maybe your startup idea is just that: an idea, not a business. Recognize that in an environment of survival, you adapt or die. We could all benefit from spending more time adapting and learning from failures.
• Compared to only a few years ago, it is so ridiculously fast, easy, and relatively inexpensive to in/validate many aspects of your product or value proposition that you’re deserving of a kick in the shins if you load up on technical or financial debt if you’ve not yet whittled away at the most promising aspects of your business. Spend $100 on Facebook or Twitter ads before wasting any more of your precious oxygen.
• What people say and what people do are often oceans apart. Don’t obsess over analytics, but data-driven decisions are often your best friend in business and in life.

Redefine risk

• “I can’t raise any money for my startup in Louisville.” That’s probably because you haven’t yet crossed the chasm of creating value or solving a problem that can scale. Understand that any investor can make 10% (or far greater) annually simply by waking up. Risking dough on you often makes zero sense financially, so make a really strong case for yourself both personally and for a product that can scale all while considering the competitive landscape, market conditions, or the threat of some teens in Singapore recreating your entire product in less than two days. If “there is no competition”, you’re already hosed!
• Note also that maybe Louisville isn’t the best place for you to grow — and that’s completely ok. (Go Fro! Go Rob! We know we’ll see you again.)
• “There are no startups in Louisville worth investing in.” By definition this will always be 99.9999999999% true. Startups usually aren’t yet businesses so angel investors that look for opportunities to invest operating capital are going to be disappointed when what is needed is a 100% risk on the individual or team behind the startup, not necessarily the business itself. You, as a Louisville entrepreneur, have an obligation to convince angels that you’re worth wasting 100% of their investment on. It has been done repeatedly, but it’s not easy for either side of the equation.
• While none of the local angels in the room last night spoke up, I know for certain that access to funding when it is genuinely needed is always available. So thanks to those of you who still invest in people and passions rather than spreadsheets; your magic behind the scenes is appreciated.

Ask for help

• Louisville remains one of the biggest small cities and smallest big cities around, so take advantage of our awesome, approachable community of current and past startuppers [including corporate recidivists like me]. Ya never know what may emerge from the collision of rolodexes, so reach out when you have something worth sharing or asking.
• That mom in yoga pants next to you in the coffee shop is probably a better use case to introduce your new app to than me, but I and many others continue to spend more time than our families might prefer to volunteer, mentor, or find ways to connect you with people smarter than ourselves. Hit us up with actionable, reasonable requests.
• Zack’s growing business needed help. I loaned a nominal sum of money. Now I’m going loan more because he wasn’t afraid to ask and I believe in his ability to achieve killer shit. Ask and ye shall receive.

Learning from mistakes, taking the right chances, and getting help from others are the only reasons any of us are alive today. Our startup community is far more vibrant and healthy than it has ever been, so let’s keep the momentum going.

In any ecosystem: if you can’t change your situation, change your situation.