Reason for starting business:
After I sold Score! I went back to Stanford Business School, where I began teaching part time. Being back on a college campus and thinking about the lessons we learned at Score! about how to motivate students, I started thinking of how to apply them to college students. College students don't get much feedback or guidance. You're pretty much on your own as a student.
Most difficult part of decision: When I started Score! I kind of mulled the idea over for a while. It had a chance to evolve in my head. It worked very well. I think that's very uncommon for a new concept. I guess I did have to think twice about starting another business because I had been successful.
Biggest plus of ownership: Both these companies are vehicles for changing the world. The best part is being able to work towards a vision of making the world a better place.
Biggest drawback: Managing the uncertainty. If everything goes well, you gradually peel away the levels of uncertainty.
Biggest misconception about ownership: A lot of people think that owning your own business gives you more control over your life. That's true in some limited sense, but a great business owner and CEO has to be more of a servant than a master. If you want to be of service, it's a good job for you.
Biggest business strength: My ability to quickly assess a situation and make a good decision.
Biggest business weakness: Extreme optimism.
Biggest risk: Starting both Score! and InsideTrack.
Biggest mistake: Selling Score! too early.
Smartest move: Hiring good people. It's a cliché but true.
Biggest worry: Ensuring that our people perform at a high level.
Top source of inspiration: My Boy Scout scoutmaster, Tom Emery. He really, really taught me about management and leadership.
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Most challenging task: Managing all the competing No. 1 priorities.
Favorite task: Checking in with my colleagues and other people who work at InsideTrack.
Least favorite task: Administrative tasks related to legal contracts.
Biggest frustration: When travel takes me away from my family.
Source of support in a business crisis: I'm a member of YPO, Young Presidents' Organization. It is a great network of support.
Key goal yet to achieve: We're at 17,000 students right now, and there are 16 million college students in the country. We would like to directly impact millions of students.
First move with capital windfall: I would increase investment in program development, training and pro bono efforts.
Five-year plan: We'd like to get to the point where we're serving 100,000 students a year.
Inducement to sell: We're going to continue as an independent company.
First choice for new career or venture: I'm attracted to teaching and I'm also attracted to policymaking.
Most admired entrepreneur: Bill Hewlett. He was an investor in Score! and was an important mentor for me.
Most interested in meeting: Gavin Newsom.
Stress reducers: I exercise every day before work. I just ran the San Francisco Marathon.
Favorite pastimes: Family time. I love travel. I speak French and Dutch.
Favorite book: "Look Homeward, Angel." by Thomas Wolfe.
Favorite film: "Apollo 13."
Favorite restaurant: Michael Mina.
Favorite destination: Paris.
Automobile: Dodge Durango.
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