Elite Canadian Entrepreneurs Reveal Their Greatest Fears, Failures, and Lessons

Dealmaker Media, the folks behind the annual GROW Conference, have published a “secret video project.” Called “Entrepreneurs: Breakdowns and Breakthroughs,” the video highlights insights from some of North America’s most prominent entrepreneurs and investors, including Dave McClure and an array of Canadians such as Kiip’s Brian Wong and East Side Games’ Jason Bailey.

“Don’t call yourself an entrepreneur,” says Zite CEO Mark Johnson. “It’s not a profession. It’s a lifestyle.”

“One condition of entrepreneurship is being just a little insane,” notes Dave McClure of 500 Startups. 

“Nothing is set in stone,” affirms Cheezeburger’s Ben Huh.

“I’ve had my share of failures,” says Scott Kveton of Urban Airship, “and I think that’s what makes a person ready for success.”

“You’re gonna screw up. If you’re gonna go fast enough to succeed, you’re gonna make mistakes,” explains Box’s Dan Levin. “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not going fast enough—you’re never going to win. It’s all about how you deal with those mistakes.”

“Be brazen, but don’t be arrogant,” suggests Kate Rutter of Luxr. “And be humble, but don’t be timid.”

Check out the video below.