MySpace Co-Founder Josh Berman: “The human race is the most resilient species in the history of our world; we have always demonstrated incredible resolve”

The human race is the most resilient species in the history of our world. Regardless of the lows today or any day in our history, we have always demonstrated incredible resolve. As an entrepreneur and investor, I have always bet on human ingenuity as the greatest catalyst of value. This is why I am so hopeful that with the best scientists and doctors in the world, strictly focused on finding a cure and resolution for this pandemic, we have nothing to worry about.

As a part of my series about the things we can do to remain hopeful and support each other during anxious times, I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Berman, Co-founder Troy Capital, Co-founder Quid.

Josh Berman is a co-founder of Troy Capital, a venture capital firm, investing in emerging technology companies, and a co-founder of Quid, a fintech company, providing smart liquidity solutions to pre-IPO shareholders. Josh has a long track record in building and running internet businesses. A co-founder of MySpace.com, Josh held the position of Chief Operating Officer from 2003 until the company was sold to News Corp, at which time he transitioned to manage Slingshot Labs, an internet incubator dedicated to building and developing new web ventures for News Corp. In 2010 he left Slingshot Labs to co-found e-commerce platform BeachMint and served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer from 2010–2014, when he became CEO of The Lucky Group upon a merger between BeachMint and Conde Nast. After that time he went on to found Troy Capital & Quid where he currently works.

Thank you so much for doing this with us, Josh! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to investing, and ultimately, your work with QUID?

I’m a long-time entrepreneur. I co-founded MySpace, BeachMint, ResponseBase and quite a few other private companies over the last 25 years. This private startup lifestyle showed me that the most expensive decision I ever made when holding stock was selling too early. This is the genesis behind creating Quid, which provides the easiest way to get liquidity while being able to hold onto the upside.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

It’s tough to select one particular book that has had a significant impact on me. I believe that the value of reading is pulling unique, educational data points from all different books and utilizing them together. I did recently enjoy Ashlee Vance’s book on Elon Musk.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Many people have become anxious about the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. The fears related to the coronavirus pandemic have heightened a sense of uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. From your perspective can you help our readers to see the “Light at the End of the Tunnel”? Can you share your “5 Reasons To Be Hopeful During the COVID-19 Crisis”? If you can, please share a story or example for each.

The human race is the most resilient species in the history of our world. Regardless of the lows today or any day in our history, we have always demonstrated incredible resolve. As an entrepreneur and investor, I have always bet on human ingenuity as the greatest catalyst of value. This is why I am so hopeful that with the best scientists and doctors in the world, strictly focused on finding a cure and resolution for this pandemic, we have nothing to worry about.

From your experience or research, what are steps that each of us can take to effectively offer support to those around us who are feeling anxious? Can you explain?

• Be present with those you love and support them.
• Be cognizant and patient with everyone. You don’t know what they are going through.
• Be positive and help those who aren’t able to temper their thoughts.

What are the best resources you would suggest to a person who is feeling anxious?

• I would recommend calling your loved ones and taking a step back from your thoughts to gain context.
• I would recommend reaching out to your trusted friends/groups/therapists who might be able to help.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

Don’t be too greedy on equity in your first venture. 10% of a winner is better than 90% of a failure. Be smart with your equity, but find partners to share it with. My partners and I gave up 50% of our first startup for 300k, and it was the best move we ever made.

Don’t let schooling interfere with your education, as Mark Twain famously said. Accreditation in our schools, while important, is not the best conduit of learning. If you want to succeed, build awesome products, or help others. The best way to do so is by doing.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I love when people give time, energy, and value to others. I would love to see everyone try to do one good thing per day for someone they know or don’t know.

What is the best way our readers can follow you online?

You can always follow my LinkedIn. I often post there. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshberman23/