ADS specializes in using Ruby on Rails to build advanced, scalable, database-backed web sites for organizations of all sizes. Find out more at our website.

On March 7th, Jason Calacanis posted, How to save money running a startup (17 really good tips). It has since been updated. Within 24 hours, Robert Scoble, 37signals, Dennis Martinez (the Puerto Rican Rails Dude) and others posted their responses. While reactions varied, they all focused around number 11 on the list:

“Fire people who are not workaholics…. come on folks, this is startup life, it’s not a game — go work at the post office or stabucks if you want balance in your life. For realz..”

A portion of Jason’s comment on the 37signals post struck a cord with me:

“I’ve always created environments where folks who are hungry can work hard and excel. They can achieve things that are not possible at a big company because the opportunity is just not there.”

I love being busy.

I love to be busy, and for me, that means putting a bulk of my time and attention into ADS. I cannot count the number of hours that I am reading RSS feeds to keep up with all the latest, analyzing our Google AdWord campaigns, working with our CREW on growth strategies, or doing one of the million other things I do as a business owner. I measure myself by the success of ADS, and as such, put a lot of work into it. I’m in the same camp as Robert Scoble in that I don’t see what I do as work, but rather an extension of my self. I am what I do and I do what I am; one of those things is a business person.

I am a lucky man.

I am lucky because I spend what used to be an hour plus drive to work for an 8+ hour day that ended with another hour or longer car ride home adding value to ADS. I am lucky because I get to spend more time with my wife, daughter, and dogs. I am lucky because I get to work with a great CREW of developers who share the same vision of what work can and should be. I am lucky because my wife fully supports me in what I do.

Being the entrepreneur versus working with the entrepreneur.

I expect a lot of myself. I work long hours and work very hard. When I am not spending time with my family or in school, I am working. As I said above, I don’t view what I do as work, but rather just what I do.

Having said that, I learned a number of years ago that while I work that way and have those expectations of myself, I cannot force those expectations on any member of our CREW. That would be unreasonable. We work hard at ADS to create an environment in which developers can thrive. We remove constraints, limitations and roadblocks. We include our CREW members in decisions that directly impact them, and get their feedback on how we can improve our processes. What I expect is that they hold to their word, produce high quality work that is completed on time, and help to provide the highest level of service to our customers so that they continue to work with us.

Bottom Line

Our CREW members are fully invested in the success of ADS. That investment does not come at a loss to their personal lives. My hope is that it enhances them. If we can create a work environment where work becomes simply another part of what we do and adds to the other aspects of our lives, then we will be successful as a company.

Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, or recommend me on Working With Rails.

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