The silent career killer? Playing it too safe
Would you quit your job with no savings to start a business? While inspirational "all-in" entrepreneurship stories flood social media, there's another path that rarely makes headlines: the calculated risk-taker.
Take Kenneth Chow, co-founder of Silk & Snow. Instead of the typical "quit your job and figure it out" approach, he did something radical: he got married, had kids, bought a home, and built financial security before leaving his consulting career. His reasoning? Your career occupies 60-70% of your life – it deserves careful planning, not just blind passion.
But then there's the story of the Schmidt Brothers, who took a different route that's equally instructive.
I recently interviewed Jared and Jordan Schmidt, who spotted a massive gap in the kitchen knife market. Like many of us, they grew up with infomercial Ginsu knives and experienced the frustration of dull, cheap blades from big box stores. The alternative? Luxury knives that cost more than a monthly car payment.
Working day jobs to pay the bills, they spent evenings tinkering in their father's workshop, determined to solve a simple problem: why couldn't high-quality knives be affordable? Today, fifteen years later, their company has grown from packing orders in their garage to being in over 10,000 stores worldwide. Their German stainless steel knives offer premium quality at one-third the price of traditional luxury brands.
Three powerful career lessons emerged from our conversation:
"Sleep on it" – Their father's mantra about patient decision-making feels revolutionary in our instant-response world. Before firing off that heated email or making a career-changing decision, give yourself 24 hours to process.
"It is what it is" – Not as resignation, but as strategic acceptance. When you can't control a situation, redirect your energy to what you can influence. This mindset kept them going through countless retail rejections.
"Never close doors behind you" – Some of their biggest retail partnerships took 3-4 years to develop. That person you're tempted to burn bridges with today might be key to your success tomorrow.
Whether you're considering a career change, starting a business, or simply navigating your current role, these principles apply. The Schmidt Brothers show that success doesn't always require choosing between security and ambition – sometimes it's about finding the smart path between them.
You can hear my full conversations with these entrepreneurs on the podcast or at www.omaid.me.
Facing a career decision? Hit reply – I'd love to help you think it through.
Warmly,
Omaid
P.S. Know someone wrestling with a career transition? Forward this their way – sometimes the right perspective comes at just the right time.