Building Prequal: I Am Kenough | Vol. 18
November 30, 2023
If you can only take me in small doses:
You are in for a treat today because you don’t have to listen to me at all. I invited my husband to take over this issue of Building Prequal. Everyone, please meet Ken.
Building Prequal #18: I Am Kenough
Hello. It's Ken Mac, Andrea's husband.
She's asked me to take the mic this week to talk about Building Prequal from my perspective - as a husband of a founder and start-up and the proverbial other half of an entrepreneur.
I'm an electrical engineer who put a pause on my career seven years ago to take on the role of full-time, stay-at-home dad for our (at the time) three kids.
I don't have an official title at Prequal, but in support of this business, I sometimes wear a lot of hats. My role for Prequal varies daily. Some days, I am the bouncer outside Andrea's office door, ensuring our kids aren't interrupting important meetings. On other days, I'm the onsite IT professional, handling any technical hiccups within the business. My mathematical background and fondness for Excel make me the perfect person to serve as acting CFO for a start-up. I crunch all the numbers and provide the financial backdrop for Prequal.
I want to share a few thoughts.
The Highlights
Prequal is not a family business, but family is part of any entrepreneurial endeavor. Prequal gets mentioned at the family dinner table as much as any of the kids' names. Our 7-year-old can likely list off Prequal's top clients.
While I'm not integral to Prequal's day-to-day activities, Andrea and I discuss business daily. We are constantly bouncing business ideas off each other, and since we think and analyze differently, it's a beautiful (and sometimes entertaining) process that turns that idea into something extraordinary. I spent years in new product development and design, so innovation is in my DNA. It's exciting and interesting to be on the ground floor of building something so unique.
The Struggles
Entrepreneurial life is never easy or predictable. It's exciting, stressful, and not for everyone. I've worked for small companies and had P&L responsibility for product lines, but this is different. Profit and loss take on much more impactful meanings. Business expenses don't exist. Every dollar in and out is your money being earned and spent. Entrepreneurial endeavors require a strong faith and belief in yourself, those around you, and your mission. Our family is part of the Prequal team because we are on team Andrea.
You quickly realize some of those perks of working the corporate grind. As a start-up, you don't have an HR team coordinating benefits. That 401k match vanishes, and PTO days are just days when you aren't actively adding to the revenue number. The game changes from a friendly poker to a no-limit Texas hold 'em with no rebuys.
A Helpful Hint For Entrepreneurs
Be mindful of work/life balance. It's easy to get caught on both sides of this spectrum. You need to find an equilibrium between working hard and taking time to recharge. After all, one of the main reasons for being your own boss is having more control over this area of your life. Andrea's been actively trying to find her balance, but it doesn't come easily or naturally to most entrepreneurs.
Advice for Others in My Similar Position
Embrace patience and flexibility – those are the key ingredients to the recipe. It will be a bumpy ride to start, so fasten your seatbelts. I tend to subscribe to the wisdom of Mike Tyson. He once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." So much like boxing, entrepreneurial life is about adapting quickly, being flexible, and changing strategy. Things likely won't go as planned right out of the gate, and that's to be expected.
While Andrea is building Prequal, the foundation for the build comes right at home. It doesn't necessarily take a village, but it takes a lot of support. We believe in Andrea and her vision, her passion, and her work. Andrea is bold, brilliant, and determined. That is a trifecta that I wouldn't bet against.
As the unseen half of this entrepreneurial journey, I've learned that every role, no matter how small it seems, contributes significantly to the larger picture. Our journey has been a testament to the power of teamwork, support, and unwavering belief in a shared dream. Andrea's venture isn't just a business; it's a family mission, driven by passion and perseverance. As we navigate this unpredictable path, our commitment to each other and to Prequal remains steadfast. Here's to the challenges that shape us, the victories that uplift us, and the relentless spirit of entrepreneurship that binds our family together. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but we're excited to face it together, one step at a time.