What motivates you to keep working toward success at your startup?

We're all a little vain.

I want to be in charge of my own time.

<p>I want to be a micro-celebrity in the startup space. Totally driven by recognition. Sad but true.</p>

I felt that way when I was 28. Big dreams. Change the world. Legacy. Name on a university building. After 12 years and not much closer - I'm happy if I can retire by 50 lol.

My dreams. My aspiration to become better to attain excellence. The fact that it's a passion. And as naive as it sounds, to actually make an impact.

I want to kitesurf with a naked chick hanging on my back

I want to inspire people. If I can make someone feel the way I feel when I'm inspired, and I have them tell me that, that'll make me feel like this struggle is worth it.

I want to be my own boss. And conduct a business that is morally and ethically right. (I'm crazy) lol.

Mine is much more pedestrian. I want a job. Once you do this enough you get to an age where nobody will hire you. They look at all your startups and say "You'll get bored," and then they call you "mature" which means that you're old.

My entire career has been very unsettling. I was fortunate enough to not have my needs or wants met by my employers. I will say that again-- I was <em>fortunate</em>. I always wanted to fly, and I'm stilling learning how to as I descend, but I wouldn't have left the nest without a push.

Necessity is the mother of invention.