LESSONS LEARNED: The Creative Founder

BEFORE THIS CLASS, I THOUGHT…

I hesitated for a long time before I registered this class. At that time, I was still in film major and heard that most of the people registered this class will be in ixd major. Fearing of detaching from the other sides of the world, I registered this class. Eyes wide open, during the first class, I was nearly about to cry in the classroom. There were so many unknown people in the room while they’ve already known each other. I started this class with fear. But Christina and Kate did not let me quit easily. Looking back from now on, I’m really thankful they didn’t.

WE DID THIS IN CLASS…

Then quickly, we were assigned to teams. Compared with my organized and knowledgeable teammates, I felt I’m so behind. We decided to dive into mental health realm based on our experience and intention to help. Then the whole semester is like a rolling snowball, our team started with a small part and more and more elements were added to it. Each week, we were revealed to a new part of the start-up firm(e.g. cost, revenue, acquisition. etc) and then applied it to our own firm. It’s fascinating to see how each of the puzzle pieces was being put together. The information was vast. From trying to provide service that helps people with mental problems, Saturn grew into a company which provides a framework for time management.

I LEARNED THIS…

Towards the end, I’m excited to realize that this class is more than a business class to me. It provides a possible and viable life framework based on lean startup method. Generating ideas-Testing-Review-Reiterating — the core of lean startup method could also be applied other than starting a company. Being rough is okay but moving forward is important. With this mindset, keeping alive itself is like endless experiment aiming to evolve in a specific environment. Intriguing. My fluid intelligence declines with age while my crystallized intelligence increases throughout the life if without medical problems. Lean startup method’s structure is a great supplement.

Throughout the class, I was also directly exposed to interacting with people and conflicts. Throughout my current living years, I’m naturally detached from others. In this class, I learned how it will be like with people in my current environment. I observed how they would talk to each other and what kind of behavior is acceptable mostly from my teammates. With some failed attempts and awkward imitation, the learning is still a tip of the iceberg. There are always some unexpected results come out because of individual difference and culture difference. Compromise while also defend yourself. The pattern puzzle has not been completed yet.

Teamwork is another area that I’ve been exposed to in this class. I realized the importance of a team where the vision is being shared and accepted. I remember the empathy day that we spent a whole class trying to know each other more about the team and see how we are in other’s eyes. Bonding process was emotional. After that day, we definitely felt something was different for our team, the team became like a team. And some great energy has been added to our team. Everyone has some brilliant parts and everyone is important. Believe in humanity but keep alert. We are much more than existing working electronics.

IN THE FUTURE…

In the future, I would keep testing as I move on with the mindset and practical skills learned in this class for the genuine happiness through experience. Thank you, Christina and Kate. Thank you, my team and my classmates. Thank you all for this thought-provoking semester.