FountainBlue's March Newsletter
In this time of great change, I wanted to share a message of hope and renewal - the concept of creating ‘Something from Nothing’ when the future is so unclear.
But I realized that I had already written a blog entitled ‘Something from Nothing’ ten years ago, in January 2015. I’ve included it below in this month’s newsletter.
For this month’s blog, I’ve written a parable about starting something entrepreneurial and have entitled it 'Soup from a Stone’.
May we all carry a stone in our pocket - the essence of a life-changing idea that benefits all.
Soup from a Stone
There once was a woman who always kept a smooth, white stone in her pocket. Though it belonged to her, it was meant to be shared. She carried it with her on her travels, as it reflected her values, purpose, and intentions.
One day, she arrived at a village and sat in the square, polishing her stone, beginning preparations for making a soup.
The people bustled about, hurrying from one task to the next. Some stole curious glances at her, but their skepticism and distractions kept them from stopping.
Eventually, a kindly older man smiled and said, "If you are to make soup from a stone, you will need a pot." He then disappeared into his kitchen and returned with a battered but sturdy pot. She thanked him, placed the gleaming stone inside, and set them upon the ground.
Next, a woodcutter passed by and paused. "You’ll need a log for the fire to heat that stone," he remarked, setting down a thick, dry log before continuing. She accepted the log with gratitude and soon had the log ablaze.
A village matron nodded approvingly of her mastery of the flame and remarked, "That soup will be dry without water”. The matron directed the woman to the well and helped her cover the pot and the stone with fresh, cool water. Chatting amiably, they carried the pot together to the growing fire.
The villagers went about their daily routines, but some threw sidelong glances at the bubbling pot with its lone stone, whispering amongst themselves.
"This spare onion will bring out the flavor in that stone," offered a farmer, tossing in a golden onion.
"What’s an onion without garlic?" countered the storekeeper, dropping in a few cloves.
The pace of the village began slowing as people hesitated and lingered to see how a stone can make a soup.
A butcher passing through the square paused and sniffed the air. "Where’s the beef?" she asked, before adding a meaty bone to the pot. The aroma intensified, and more villagers inched closer.
The water was returning to a boil when a merchant strode by, laughing. "Soup cannot exist without herbs, salt, and pepper!" He reached into his satchel and sprinkled in an assortment of seasonings.
The village children came running from the garden, their arms filled with carrots, potatoes, and greens. "We brought vegetables!" they exclaimed, eagerly tossing them into the pot and begging for tastings.
The aroma of the soup wafted through the village, and the pace of the villagers slowed once more, stirred by curiosity and hunger.
The younger children bubbled excitedly, shouting, "Come one, come all! We’ve made soup from a stone!"
Soon, the entire village assembled, bringing bowls, utensils, and even drinks to complement the meal. Laughter resonated as they savored the feast, delighting in the food's warmth and each other’s company.
When the last spoonful had been savored, the villagers helped clean the pot and returned it to its owner. Parents tucked their children into bed that night, each sharing stories of the miraculous stone soup. And for years to come, they would recount the day a simple stone brought the village together.
At dawn, the woman picked up the stone and put it back in her pocket, knowing it would be the foundation for another meal in a different village.
Every village has its own soup, yet the kindness and generosity of people everywhere nourish us all.
In business, this parable illustrates how a single idea, regardless of its size or appearance, can evolve into something significant when supported by a community.
The pot bearer represents our investor, acting as the vessel for our vision.
The woodcutter signifies our angel investors, fueling the fire that brings the idea to life.
The village matron serves as our mentor, providing guidance with her wisdom and resources, adding credibility to the cause.
The villagers who contribute hesitantly are our early adopters—curious yet cautious supporters willing to take a chance.
With his spices, the merchant symbolizes the experienced adviser who refines and enhances our efforts.
The butcher is the industry expert, adding depth and substance to our work.
The children and the vegetables they provide represent our beta testers and focus groups, helping to shape the final product. They also represent the social media adept at spreading the word.
The pace of the villagers reflects the adoption of the new product or service. As the pace slows, more people contribute to the idea that the stone could create a soup, benefiting more individuals.
The soup represents the collective success achieved through entrepreneurial collaboration. And the stone? It captures the essence of entrepreneurship—an idea that, while seemingly simple, evolves into something extraordinary that benefits a wide range of stakeholders.
Something from Nothing - repost from January 2015
Reposted from January 20, 2015 - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/something-from-nothing-linda-holroyd/
I live in Silicon Valley, where tech entrepreneurs rule. It's a world where being smart and working hard are a given, and being creative and resourceful are regularly rewarded. And being able to make something from nothing sets you apart.
Although I've spent the last two decades working with tech start-ups as an employee, consultant, vendor, and adviser, I started from humble beginnings. Born in Hong Kong, the second of four children, our family of 6 immigrated to San Francisco to stay with my aunt with $20 in our pockets and no job.
At age 5, I learned about the value of friends and family, the rewards of hard work, the promise education provides, and that the opportunities are available for the hard-working, passionate, and creative.
Today, I can still feel my parents beaming down on the four of us kids from above, proud that we are all educated, independent, and sound. Working with various tech leaders and companies over the past two decades, I've also learned about creating Something From Nothing.
Opportunities exist for those who can see 'something' when so many others cannot.
That 'something' must be about what-the-customers-want, not about how sexy the technology is.
Because we are emerging from an Age of Information to an Age of Personalization, technology will be a key part of creating individualized 'somethings' for the customer.
Creating 'something' takes skill, persistence, creativity, flexibility, and more.
Leaders at all levels must always build momentum and create positive energy. Standing still, no matter how profitable, is choosing complacency, and others who are more mobile and flexible will achieve that edge.
Choose people to work with who are ethical, talented, and hardworking - in that order.
Choose customers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders carefully. Communicate transparently, clearly, and regularly to continue to build a win-win, long-term relationship with all.
Your internal team must work together to achieve common goals. No matter how talented they are, dissenters are not worth investing time and money in.
No matter where you sit within the organization, know when and where you fit best and when you should move from one place to another as the company grows. And if you see a misalignment, do something about it.
Knowing what you do for whom may change with the times. Knowing what technologies work today may not be the answer tomorrow. Knowing who the right customer, partner, investor, staff member, etc., is today may not work tomorrow.
Being fluid and managing each of the situations above and whatever else may arise while maintaining relationships with all will separate the winners from the wannabes.
FountainBlue offers strategic advisory, growth advisory, and change management support for companies ranging from founder-only start-ups with an idea to Fortune 100 companies embracing transformational initiatives.
Something From Nothing - for entrepreneurs launching their businesses
FountainBlue serves as a co-founder for select companies offering customized products and services to niche audiences.
The FountainBlue value-add revolves around strategic communication, business development, and operational and program support.
FountainBlue works as an equal partner through the launch and growth phases and continues to serve as co-founder, adviser, advocate, and board member as the start-up evolves.
Growth Advisory - for tech startups looking for strategic funding and customers
Supporting the development of strategic communications to potential investors, customers, and partners
Identifying and exploring new opportunities, collaborations, partnerships, and markets.
Developing new solutions, services, and business models that leverage emerging technologies that will address current and anticipated future needs.
Providing insights, resources, analysis, and contacts to help the leadership team integrate market, investor, and customer feedback and plan for the future.
Strategic Advisory - for established companies positioning to pivot and grow
Aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, helping companies evaluate and deploy cutting-edge technologies that drive growth and innovation.
Assisting organizations in leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and blockchain to improve operational efficiency, drive competitive advantage, and enhance customer experiences.
Creating assessments and guardrails to help proactively protect sensitive data, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and minimize risks.
Change Management Advisory - for companies leaning into transformations
Making people, process, and organizational changes aligning with financial, people, market, and impact goals.
Overcoming barriers and challenges associated with adopting new technologies, new leaders, and new processes that foster innovation, collaboration, and learning.
Designing and upgrading training programs and knowledge transfer sessions to empower employees with the necessary skills and expertise and build internal capabilities for long-term success.
Leaving a Legacy - for experienced operatives interested in supporting doing-well while doing-right companies
FountainBlue will launch a ‘Leaving a Legacy’ initiative to connect seasoned executives (Boomers) as investors, advisers, customers, or advisers to world-changing tech startups with Gen X founders to facilitate collaborative innovation and leadership. Our intention for launching this program in alignment with the ‘What’s Next’ program is to:
Support entrepreneurs and innovators in making initial inroads on a doing-well while-doing-right business venture;
Connect start-up leaders with the information, resources, and support needed to better vet market opportunity, product-market fit, and business viability; and
Introduce diversity of perspective, experience, and capabilities to help more broadly explore opportunities.
As a 5-year-old, I remember carrying one thing in my hand as we deplaned from our long flight from Hong Kong to America. It was a banana, the leftovers from our lunch.
Before landing in America, I had never had a banana to myself. So the banana represented a place of opportunity—a wish for something better than I had ever experienced. And yes, America has become just that for me, my family, and the extended families we sponsored.
I bring bananas to share during our weekly choir rehearsal break. Bananas represent hope for a better world, one better than one has ever known.
I am offering you a bunch of virtual bananas this month and hope that maybe you too can make progress creating ‘Something from Nothing’.