Finding a job to pay the bills? Not always as easy as it might seem. Running a company? Probably not a walk in the park. Building a business from scratch? Really, really hard. But building a business from scratch, while juggling the responsibilities of being a good father? That’s a big challenge. This Father’s Day, we decided to sit down with a few of our most determined and successful entrepreneur dads to find out the secret to successfully balancing it all.
Juggling a demanding work-life and an equally demanding home-life requires disciplined focus. Erwin Andia, Pipeline Doral member and Co-founder of ForexChile, says planning is key.
“You have to become a master at planning,” he says. “Know exactly what has to be done each hour, day, week.” Planning allows Erwin to efficiently use his work hours so he can maximize family time.
Pipeline Workspaces co-founder Todd Oretsky is a serial entrepreneur, so he’s used to having multiple balls in the air at all times, but none compare to the curveball that fatherhood threw at him. Todd says, “the main difference between life before children and life after children is the level of freedom.”
Although it might be hard to believe, no business could ever need as much attention as a toddler. But he insists that every ounce of dedication and sacrifice pays off in multitudes as a father.
In typical entrepreneur fashion, Todd says his greatest challenge is the constant questioning: “Can I be doing a better job?” Erwin feels the pressure, too. With so many things going on, the greatest challenge is being fully present in any one situation.
Fatherhood is full of challenges, but it is certainly not without its rewards. The biggest reward? Watching your kids learn to fly on their own, according to Erwin. To see how your kids gradually learn to fly. Your responsibility as a father is to provide them with the necessary confidence, values, knowledge and skills so they can, one day, stand on their own and become a responsible adult.
But, having a dad that’s also running a business (or two) is not all bad. Many life lessons can be learned from building businesses from the ground up. So, what advice do these entrepreneur dads hope to pass on to their kids? They said to be curious, self-critical and whatever they do —always seek to be an honest, responsible person first.
Todd Oretsky is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, acquired and exited several companies. He began his professional career as a corporate lawyer at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and has structured and advised on over $20 billion of debt and equity offerings. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a law degree from New York University School of Law. Todd is a member (and past board member) of Entrepreneur’s Organization and is on the board of several companies. In addition, Todd is on the Board of Advisors to Florida International University’s Global Entrepreneurship Center.
Erwin Andia is a consultant, trainer and public speaker in the field of HRD and Entrepreneurship. He is the Co-founder of ForexChile and was selected Endeavor Entrepreneur in 2011 after he won the award of Young Entrepreneur Award 2009, given by the Foundation of the Future Entrepreneur, 2009. He has an experience of over 15 years leading a successful sales and marketing team and as a public speaker and trainer in leadership, entrepreneurship, motivation and sales. He has a major degree in Business, Master degree in Marketing (UAI) and is finishing a Master of Science degree in Organizational Learning and Leadership at Barry University, USA. Executive Program in Leadership and Marketing in Harvard Business School, Boston; Columbia Business School, New York; and Kellogg Business School, Evanston.
