1. Lessons From The Trenches
The Fight to Start Your Own Company
Presentation for SEED
September 26, 2012
@kimmahan

2. The Resume
 Started First Web Business in 1996
 BS, Behavioral Science; MS, Information Systems,
Black Belt, CISSP
 15 Years Enterprise Technology: GE.com,
Operations, Emerging Tech
 Richmond Community Activist for Women/Girls
in Tech
 Recent Winner ‘40 Over 40’ Women To Watch
Left Corporate Comfort Zone in 2011
Age: 40

3. The Real Deal
 Born and raised in Oxon Hill, MD, working class family,
labeled ‘gifted’, troubled youth
 Father died at 18, first child 10 months later
 Near-deadly car accident at 19, permanent injuries
 2 more children, and 2 more failed relationships by 25
 Formal education predominantly online , self-taught web
design in 1995, GE career began at age 27
 Values: Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Education, Perseverance
Most Valuable Asset: Life Experiences
Most Valuable Skill: Learning From Mistakes

4. My Entrepreneurial Journey
(so far!)
What You Care About

5. Makers of:
2011/2012

6. 2013

7. 2013 cont . . .

8. Lessons Learned
3 Key Questions To Ask
Yourself

9. Am I an Entrepreneur or
a Wantrepreneur?
(P.S. Ideas are flippin EASY)

10. Am I Working on the
Most Important Thing?
(Hint: Until you have customers, there are no other important things)

11. Am I Pitching or Catching?
(You need to do both!)

12. Last but not least…
 Play to your strengths
 Fix things that truly get in the way
 Surround yourself with the rest
Do You.
And pssst . . . Have fun!!

13. Any Questions??