Carolyn Jack

Editor and CEO, Geniocity.com
A project of The Genius Group LLC

Creative Nerve: What It’s Really Like to Start a Business

Not quite ready for our close-up, Mr. DeMille. I just found out that Geniocity.com has been chosen for recognition by a publication I’ll leave nameless for now because, under the circumstances, I don’t think it would be at all sporting to scoop it.

My first reaction? Pure thrill. My second-wave reaction? Pure Woody Allen: Do I want my venture belong to a club that would have it as a member?

This isn’t some movie-grade inferiority complex kicking in. I’m quite proud of the imagination and relentless work it has taken to get Geniocity started and I believe with every subatomic particle of my being that it’s a great idea, both for making money and for making the world a better place.

But being an entrepreneur – which is not unlike being a parent - I’m exquisitely aware of just how much size, maturity, depth and sophistication my newborn needs to acquire before its potential, and my hopes, are fulfilled.

Geniocity.com is still very young, not even a full seven weeks yet, and it’s only a suggestion of its future self. So isn’t it a little too soon for any accolade? I wonder, shouldn’t we let it get it over its colic and cradle cap first?

But if my inner nebbish can’t imagine why anyone with any judgment would think Geniocity is good enough yet, my inner stage mother can’t wait for the limelight to shine on my brilliant, tiny star-in-the-making. And, fortunately for me, stage-parenting isn’t as reprehensible a thing to inflict on a young enterprise as it is on a child.

So if the applause is kindly meant, I’ll somewhat apprehensively consider pushing my baby business out for this bow and hope that what people recognize in it are its infancy and its promise.

One thing for sure: With all these feelings of inadequacy, no one here will be getting a swelled head from the attention.