#2 the start-up phase. Chronicles of a Founder Dad.

Week One - SYDNEY 📍

This era, this 3-month program, this week—it’s all about stepping in front and playing a pull shot. Operating from a place of fear and backing away? Not an option. I’m not giving away my wicket that easily.

As I waved goodbye to Allie and the kids on Sunday morning to head to the airport, the reality hit me. The period we've been gearing up for was finally upon us. I was off to Sydney for the week, diving into the chance to get a new company funded in just three months. Meanwhile, Allie's holding the fort, navigating the first week of mainstream and special needs kinder without me.

It’s definitely a gamble. But living in Australia, what better inspiration could there be than from Bluey? In a world that often seems filled with absolute nonsense (I’ll try my best to steer clear of the madness of politics and land grabbing in this newsletter, but no promises 🤞), sometimes our best insights come from a Blue cartoon dog—or in this case, Rusty’s Dad.

This Week's Inside Scoop 📢

This Monday, finding myself among 90+ potential co-founders, I was relieved to realize I definitely wasn’t the smartest one there!! The level of conversation during the first two days was something I hadn’t experienced in years—it was refreshing and energizing. As imposter syndrome slowly ebbed away (turns out, we were all carrying a bit of that weight), it became crystal clear: I was exactly where I needed to be.

The opening days were a whirlwind of structured and impromptu co-founder dating—coffee walks, speed dating, group lunches. My goal wasn’t to impress anyone right off the bat but to listen, feel the vibes, and elevate others, all while pondering whether these were people I could see myself building a company with for the next 5-10 years.

By Wednesday, as we hit thump-day, the intensity dialed up. It was easy to talk a big game, but diving into problem statements and design sprints revealed the true depth of everyone’s abilities.

🎤 Friday morning, I took the stage, ready to pitch the vision I want to bring to life. One of the cohort quipped “incredible opportunity in a generation defining space” …. so that’s encouraging.

This week i set the intention to play at 100%, go all in—no masks, just trusting in the process. Heading back to Melbourne feeling proud and charged, ready for what comes next 🙌

My Top 5 takeaways from Week 1 at Antler

1. Unexpected Motivation: Seamus (portfolio associate) 3km in “whoever finishes first gets investment” … that was all the motivation i needed! Clocked a 3:55 final km, about 30 seconds faster than any other time i can find on my apple watch.

   

   Antler Sydney Run Club

2. Fall in Love with the Problem, not the solution. It's too easy to jump straight into solution mode and lose sight of the bigger picture. By focusing on the macro problem, the smaller issues and solutions naturally align through careful formation and validation processes.

3. Social Dynamics: Put 90 people in a bar with a free tab, and it’ll only take two rounds for the English to cluster together through a mix of osmosis and natural selection 🇬🇧

4. I’m very lucky: My wife, Allie, has been nothing short of incredible this week. Managing our kids—Beckham and Harper's intensity, along with Indi's special needs—is a Herculean task. This week, she not only kept them safe but ensured they thrived despite the challenges, like handling a tough kinder transition for Indi that had us on an emergency call within 90 minutes of drop-off on Monday morning. Allie's strength and resilience this week were awe-inspiring. 💪

   

   *I say she ‘kept them safe’ … we did have the first incident report of the term on day two as Beckham tried to stop a moving swing with his face.

5. Beyond Technical Skills: There’s more to business and life than just technical prowess. The way you show up each day, the values you embody, and your willingness to engage genuinely with others and embrace personal growth often outweigh raw intelligence or a polished LinkedIn profile.

Next Up 🚀

This week I’ve been intentional, but also listening, creating space for others. Next week we change gears. Content delivery continues, the slide deck will be coming out and I’ll be narrowing in on a co founder. All from Melbourne 📍

This week I’ve had the benefit of 8 hours of sleep every night - let’s see how it goes back home, in the thick of it with the kids, commuting early each day 😬

The Big Rock 🏔️ The Perfect Co-Founder Match

We often talk about the need for shared vision, values, and a strong foundation of trust and chemistry. Equally important, though, are the differences—diverse technical expertise and varied personalities that can drive a company forward.

So, here’s the challenge: While diversity in personality enriches team dynamic, fostering a creative and robust environment that is essential for innovation in any business setting, these differences can't be so stark that they make collaboration over the long haul unbearable. As we potentially look at building together for the next 5-10 years, we have to ask ourselves—will these differences give us an unfair advantage without costing us our camaraderie?

Finding that sweet spot—where differences enhance our collective capabilities without undermining our mutual respect and enjoyment of each other’s company—is crucial. Especially when envisioning those late Thursday nights, three years down the line, discussing the next big move or unwinding from the week’s chaos. You want someone who not only complements your skills but also your happy hour 🍻

Balancing this blend of diversity with harmony is no small feat.

What’s on My Playlist 🎧

I don’t need a daily coaching call—just the big man's voice in my ears every morning and I’m all set to conquer the day.

Lend a Hand? 🤝

In the coming weeks, I'll be diving deep into validating a problem space within pediatric care. I'm eager to connect with more mums who are currently navigating, or have recently navigated, the healthcare system while advocating for their child.

Do you know someone who fits this description? Please share my story (via Substack or Instagram) with them so they can join our community. When the time is right, I'd love to reach out, over a coffee (in-person or virtual), to listen to their experiences and learn from their journey.

Have a mega weekend!! I’m off to the airport ✈️ Chat soon - Orrin

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