Thinking about where we want to go in life, we landed in a vision of a fun, dynamic team, a global quest, improving peoples lives and seeing something grow and create impact. That, or a biodynamic farm family life somewhere between the mountains and the sea. During this we pondered over why men are overrepresented in the entrepreneurial community and maybe it is because they cannot have babies the same way women do. There are several similarities between nuturing a toddler and a start-up, and issues of both risk taking and return on investments, although in different forms, are clearly a part of the deal. As for our own board of directors, we were amused to see an overrepresentation of beards on the male members, and regardless of sex, courage goes well with all fashion.

Because nothing quenches the thirst on a sweaty beach day as ice-cold coke with lemon, drunk through a straw, with sleeves rolled up and ray-bans on.

Because for curls and a beard we might make an exception to our otherwise non-attraction towards red heads. And looking back at the summer, the kissing has been in abundance, overall fantasticness has reigned and Trädgården has been a pleasant watering hole from beginning til end.

Photos by: Sima Korenivski

We love it when dark-haired mustacchios are preaching to the choir. Not only was Steve pretty handsome as a youngster, the wisdom that comes with old age is right up our following-your-heart-alley.

...you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something--your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever--because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path, and that will make all the difference.
/.../

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.
/.../

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important thing I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life, because almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
/.../

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
/.../

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.


Excerpts from Steve Jobs' Commencement speech at Stanford University, 2005

* - WHEN WILL YOU MARRY ME???
JW - I will consider marriage if you come with a significant dowry. A couple of goats should do the trick...
* - Great! I'll talk to dad about sorting out some camels.
BTW, you are a business developer. Can't you see the potential?
I am like Apple stocks in the early 90's.
JW - It is good to have that sort of self-confidence. I tend not to be the first investor though ;-)
* - Hahahaha. I'll get back to you once I've gotten my first divorce.

All is fair in love and war, but recently we've seen suprising similarities between love and business. Maybe it is just our romantic mind, but there are certainly some value relationship lessons being picked up at SSES:

"Is there room in the customer's life for your product or service?", "Leverage your uniqueness", "Get them hooked and wanting more!", "Create win-win partnerships", "Find it and don't loose sight of it", "Become an opportunity creating specialist", "Everything is impossible until someone does it", "Look for persistent, happy, creative people with a track record", "What went wrong, what did you learn, don't do it again", "Pursue your passion", "You will fail a lot, but failure will provide you with the lessons neccessary for success".

Teachers and farmers are two of the professions we consider completely underrated in today's society. We would love going to school even more if all lecturers looked like this. Although we have been injected with ideas and knowledge all fall, we're still failing to map out any stakeholders who wouldn't adore a PhD Assistant Professor affiliated with Russia, teaching negotiations and social entrepreneurship.

Because you can't receive a compliment without turning it into a business idea.

Because today we found out there is something called venture philantrophy, and that's going to fund all our ideas in improving the world. You look more like a venture capitalist gone hipster, but that fine with us too.

Happy Birthday, Piers Fawkes! The term "doer" is defined by this brilliant mind, hyper active and fiercely intelligent man. Another one in the category of family father and with an awesome wife, plus a constantly innovative enterprise and a smile like a fat cat, leaving the British accent only as a cherry on top. You inspire us to make things better, Sir Fawkes.