First a Father, Then a Founder
How Being a Father Can Make You a Better Founder
I'm Manuel Saez, I write to help founders master emotional intelligence to make decisions with clarity and confidence 🌻 EQ coach, 2X-founder & award-winning designer ➜ I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵 🏍
Reading time: 7 min.
Contents:
How Being a Dad Made Me a Better Founder
The Paradox of Readiness
Prioritizing What Matters
Being Fully Present
Personal and Emotional Growth
How My Dad Influenced My Founder Journey
No Escuches lo que Dicen, Mira lo que Hacen
Hace las Cosas con Intención
Voy Despacio Porque Estoy Apurado
How Being a Dad Made Me a Better Founder
I am a Dad first, then I am a founder.
Think about it. I can stop being a founder or entrepreneur, but I will never stop being a father. This identity is permanent, and I love it.
Fatherhood and entrepreneurship are two demanding roles, often pulling in different directions. Yet, these roles can complement each other, creating a synergy that drives personal and professional growth.
On Father's Day, I want to explore how being a father has influenced my journey as a founder and how my Dad's wisdom has shaped my entrepreneurial path.
The Paradox of Readiness
I used to think I needed to wait to have a family because being a father would not be compatible with building a business. I believed I needed to achieve certain milestones before taking on the responsibility of fatherhood.
This belief is rooted in the "Paradox of Readiness," which suggests that people often feel unprepared for significant life changes or responsibilities. Still, this paradox reveals that individuals can effectively manage and grow into new roles once they take on these responsibilities.
No one is ever fully ready to be a father, but when you become one, you figure things out. The universe has a way of guiding you through the uncertainties.
When my first child was born, I realized that being a father was one of the most amazing experiences a human can have. I felt confident that entrepreneurship and fatherhood could coexist harmoniously.
My kids have shaped my journey as a founder in ways I never anticipated.
Here are three lessons I learned from fatherhood that have made me a better entrepreneur.
➜ Prioritizing What Matters
Fatherhood has taught me the critical importance of prioritization. Managing a business, as does being a parent, demands time, energy, and focus. Initially, I struggled to balance these responsibilities, feeling overwhelmed by the constant pull between family and work.
I developed strategies to manage my time effectively to ensure quality time with my family. I created a strict schedule, designating specific hours for work and family. This structure allowed me to be fully present in both areas of my life.
For example, I started my days earlier, set aside mornings for my business, and managed my day efficiently so I could leave around 5 PM to go home and cook for my kids. This routine ensured that I had productive work hours and that my children received my undivided attention during our time together.
➜ Being Fully Present
Fatherhood has taught me the importance of being present. When I spend time with my family, I consciously try to be there, fully engaged and attentive.
This presence strengthens my bond with my children and recharges my energy, creating a symbiotic relationship that fuels my personal and professional life.
In my early years as a father, I often found myself physically present but mentally preoccupied with work. I realized this was unfair to my family and detrimental to my well-being. I started practicing mindfulness, focusing on the present moment during family interactions. This shift made me more attentive, empathetic, and responsive to my children's needs.
This practice of presence has significantly impacted my role as a founder. When I work, I apply the same principles of mindfulness, ensuring I am fully engaged and attentive. This presence has made me a better communicator, strengthened relationships, and made me notice more clarity when making decisions.
➜ Personal and Emotional Growth
Fatherhood has produced immense personal growth, teaching me to embrace patience, stillness, and grace. These qualities have also been instrumental in my development as a founder.
Patience was a virtue I struggled with before becoming a father. I was always in a rush, eager to achieve quick results. However, parenting required me to slow down, be patient, and understand that growth takes time. Whether it was waiting for my kids to finish a task or soothing them during difficult moments, I learned to appreciate the process rather than rushing to the outcome.
Similarly, fatherhood taught me to be still and accept being wrong with grace. There were moments when my children challenged my decisions or corrected my mistakes. Instead of reacting defensively, I learned to listen, reflect, and grow from these experiences. This ability to accept feedback and learn from it has been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey.
The similarities between being an entrepreneur and a father are striking. Fatherhood taught me to approach challenges patiently, understanding that success requires time and persistence. It taught me to embrace stillness, reflect, and make better decisions. I learned to accept mistakes with grace, using them as opportunities for growth.
How My Dad Influenced My Founder Journey
I did not like my Dad until I was 19 when we became best friends. My mom had moved out in a friendly separation, and we became roommates.
During this time together, I rediscovered the man who taught me many lessons but was also very demanding and judgmental.
I learned to see him as the simple and flawed man he was, just trying his best to do good. He was perfect in his own imperfect way.
This realization transformed my relationship with him, and looking back; I can now see how he profoundly influenced my journey as a founder.
Here are three stories and examples of things I learned from my Dad that have shaped my entrepreneurial path.
“No Escuches lo que Dicen, Mira lo que Hacen”
My Dad often said, "No escuches lo que dicen, mira lo que hacen," which translates to:
"Don't listen to what they say. Pay attention to what they do."
This wisdom has been invaluable in business and life.
In my early years as an entrepreneur, I encountered many individuals who talked a big game but failed to deliver.
My Dad's advice taught me to focus on actions rather than words. I learned to observe people's behavior and judge them based on their deeds.
This approach helped me identify reliable partners, hire solid contributors, and quickly identify team members who were riding someone else's talent.
One occasion, during a critical project, I had to choose between two potential vendors. One delivered the proposal and explained how they would do the job, while the other took the initiative and pre-arranged a sample prototype based on our initial discussions. I chose the latter, which proved to be the right decision.
“Hace las Cosas con Intención”
My Dad often said, "Hace las cosas con intención," which means:
"Do things with intention."
As a teenager, I often dragged my feet doing chores, but my Dad emphasized the importance of approaching tasks with purpose and care. This lesson taught me the value of attention to detail and dedication to the task. It taught me to take pride in my work and expect the same from others.
I practice this daily by dividing my day into blocks, tackling the most critical tasks early. I approach each task with total presence and focus, especially in the morning. This way, I enjoy the work more, complete it faster, and make fewer mistakes.
This principle has been crucial in setting high standards for myself and my team in my entrepreneurial journey. As a founder, I encourage my team to treat their work with the same intention and care, creating a culture of excellence.
"Voy Despacio Porque Estoy Apurado"
When I was younger, I thought my Dad’s driving was too slow, which annoyed me. I would ask him to go faster, and he would say, "Voy despacio porque estoy apurado," which means:
"I am going slowly 'cause I am in a hurry."
At the time, his answer upset me, but as an entrepreneur, I understand the wisdom in his words. This taught me the importance of patience and thoughtful decision-making.
The temptation to rush for quick results is strong in business, but my Dad's advice reminded me that slowing down can lead to faster, more sustainable progress. Sometimes, the long way is the shortest path.
During my second startup, I was eager to launch another product quickly. Remembering my Dad's words, I took a measured approach and focused on one product. This helped me focus on building a solid operational foundation for the business, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve long-term success.
The roles of father and founder are deeply intertwined, influencing and enriching the other. Being a father has taught me invaluable lessons about prioritization, presence, and personal growth, making me a better entrepreneur.
Similarly, my Dad's wisdom has shaped my approach to business, emphasizing action, intention, and patience.
Embrace the dual roles of being a parent and an entrepreneur, recognizing the unique strengths and perspectives they bring. Consider the lessons from your own experiences with fatherhood or parental figures.
Sending you good vibes 🌻
Manuel Saez