#coeio

TAKE THESE MAGIC MUSHROOMS TO THE GRAVE

The Infinity Burial Suit just might be the start of six feet under chic.

Mushrooms are magic. A fungus information superhighway helps plants talk to each other in underground mycelium networks that stretch for hundreds of miles. Some of the oldest grow in gigantic see-them-from-the-window-seat fairy rings around Stonehenge. And, they are the key to The Infinity Burial Suit, aka the Mushroom Death Suit as it has affectionately been nicknamed by its creator, Jae Rhim Lee. The jumpsuit, which is embroidered with Infinity Mushroom spores that break down biomaterial after burial and purify the surrounding environment, offers an alternative, eco-friendly burial method.

(Photo credit: Steven Miyao)

Nearing 40, I’ve been in big companies and other founders’ startups, but never have really taken a startup from the ground up. I used to think it’s a domain reserved in mostly for the twenty-something hoodie set (some think 35 is washed up).  

I do feel old, and at times out of place. I know I am not the only one to feel that way, as I am guessing whoever asked this on Quora had the same feelings of awkwardness (no, it wasn’t me).

That said, I believe my age has taught me powerful life lessons that I hope to take into Coeio and beyond.  As I’ve talked to many people my age who are considering their next role, I share with them the three questions I asked when I decided to take the plunge.

1. The Kidney Test: Would I give my business partner my kidney? 

Yes, my kidney. 

When I was younger, I used to ask myself, “Would I go to war with this person?” These days, I want I want more.  It’s not enough that my partner have amazing, world-class complimentary skills to me (I am so lucky JR does), but that they also have to push me to be a better person, personally and professionally. 

Being awesome at your job is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition to start a company with you.

I spend more time with my business than with my family, and so I want to feel that that is time of my life well spent.  We all have gut feelings about people, and the Kidney Test is a good checkpoint to see how strong those are.  

2. The Kid Test: Can I explain what I do to my 7 year old? 

This isn’t just a marketing pitch test, it’s a purpose test.  I want so badly for my kids to do something meaningful and important with their lives, that I have to live it.  Here is a real conversation I had with my daughter last month:

Elizabeth: So what’s your new company do?

Me: You remember when Gong Gong and Po Po (grandpa/grandma) died?

E: Yes.

M: We are making stuff that let’s the bodies go back into the ground naturally rather than be in the coffins.

E: Like our compost pile outside that helps the environment?

M: Yes.

E: Cool.  Can I help?

I will never forget that conversation, it was the first time that I have been able to really connect my work with something my kids not only understood, but wanted to pitch in.  It’s changed my motivation to work immensely, and I hope I never have to give that up.

3. The Uzo Abada Test: Where will your art live? 

The actress Uzo Abada who plays ‘Crazy Eyes’ Suzanne on Orange is the New Black said gave an interview on NPR that I will never forget.  On why the show saved her acting career, she says:

It gave me an opportunity and a voice to speak and let my art live, which is all I've ever wanted to do.

That interview hit me between the eyes like a hammer.   

Unlike much of the corporate world where output is private or subjective, art is not. Art can’t hide. It is there to be seen, judged, lauded, criticized, revered, and even feared. Art has the creator’s heart and soul on a canvas, episode, plate, album, etc. There it sits.

After spending a fair amount of time in the corporate world, I see what a hard and rare gift the ability to make art is.  So much corporate work is subjectively judged by a small group: your boss, a select small group of execs, or clients.  

Again, since I am nearing 40, I want to be the 8-year old at the Lego table again and make something for everyone to see. 

Hi-five me or say it sucks. I am cool with either. 

For me, Coeio and the suit was that.

And it’s just about escaping corporate life, the rule needs to be applied to startups as well.  To illustrate, I considered a lot of starting up some things in adtech with some very awesome, successful people.  All are continuing without me in their own endeavors and I hope they all become incredibly successful. That said, I passed at this stage of my life.  Right now, adtech fails the Uzo Abada test.  Few would see the art of advanced advertising analytics or optimization algorithms, no matter how elegant or efficient.

Happiness: The endgame

At risk of getting overly personal, I’ve been much more lovey-dovey at home.  I asked Katherine my wife, why and her response was brief:

Because you are happy. 

She’s right. I realize that these are high bars, and I don’t know if I will always be able to apply all three at once, but I know they are out there.  Even if I have to make a return to corporate life (I am not adverse to that), I hope that these are the questions that I will continue to answer.