Happy Friday letter getters,
Solving a problem of any magnitude means persisting through failure. After reading so many stories, here's my take. I find that the founders who are comfortable with failure have an easier time identifying, remembering and replicating success. They also have a way of telling their story that describes success the way an artist describes lifting a sculpture out of a slab of stone. They work with failure like a block of clay. They kneed their trial and error like dough and they chip away at challenges with a chisel. All their success is molded out of persistence through failure. They see the beauty of opportunity then others see adversity, and they pursue their vision fiercely until it's done. Just like art, success and failure are often up for interpretation, but it's up to the individual to decide what to learn from, what to build from, and what to leave behind.
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Tom Rump,
CEO of Mesur.io
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Tom Rump has an extensive background in managing and growing technology-oriented business, ranging from start-up/early stage to Fortune 50 enterprises. From his early experience at IBM to his most recent engagement at Stanford University, Tom has excelled at setting strategy and goals, establishing operational roadmaps, managing cross functional/multi-cultural teams, creating outstanding customer experiences, and most importantly delivering results. His additional professional engagements include WoltersKluwer, Cognizant, Cyntergy and IBM. Meet your five minute mentor, Tom Rump.
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We are an early stage start up - a problem I can use help solving is how to bridge the gap between our skill, making decisions quickly, and the larger corporate enterprises who are bogged down by a decision process that is not so nimble.
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Persistence. We have had to be persistent in the sales area when a viable prospect will keep pushing off a meeting. Also, we have pitched to well over 200 potential investors. There are many, many more 'no's' than 'yes's'. You have to keep pressing on.
Mesur.io is a data tracking tool for farmers. I'm interested in where persistence has taken the business.
Since first starting, have you noticed more people needing to measure data on their farm?
Very much so, especially with the effects of Global Climate Change growers are experiencing scenarios they have never seen before.
How did you get in front of farmers?
On a local basis we have been engaging with groups like the Carolina Farm Stewards Association and the USDA Extension Services teams.
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Exercise. I try to do cardio a couple times a week and mix in some yoga (a carry over from my time on the west coast). The stress is real and exercise is one of the most positive outlets I can think of.
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Successful startups are about teamwork, not skill set and pedigree.
I asked Tom to tell me about a time in mesur.io that made him realize that teamwork was the most important thing for the success of the company:
TR: The first is when we were invited to Techstars Austin. Amos Schwartzfarb, the Techstars Austin MD during the interview process does not review a pitch deck, or YouTube videos, or marketing collateral. He makes his assessment of the individuals on the team and their personal interaction.
The latest instance was this afternoon on a call with a potential Investor. He spent a considerable amount of time on the team and the team dynamics. Our team on the call worked seamlessly and validated a strong working relationship, which he picked up immediately.
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I believe that there is an answer to every difficult problem, especially when a crisis emerges - that there is a viable solution available, you just need to find it.
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Tom Rump is the CEO of Mesur.io, a platform that provides solutions to improve environmental resource management.
Recent Achievements:
We were recently named by Red Herring as one of the Top 100 Most Innovative Companies in North America.
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LaunchLetter is a weekday newsletter from Southern/alpha, a website that features collections of stories and resources for underestimated startup communities.
LaunchLetter is for founders getting started on an idea or business. Our goal is to share the perspective, habits and positive messages of more experienced founders and CEOs. We hope you find it relatable and delightful as you get focused for the day on your own goals. Enjoy the ride.
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