Operators

Every time I see a young founder transition to a VC role, I grow sad. I can’t help but wonder—how much experience could this person use to their advantage when building another startup? How greater their second or third act could be? Will they come back?

I also wonder why they decided to make the change. Was the startup struggle too much? Is it like retirement? Did they not like the experience? Was the new job a better fit? Did they go through so much only to discover they valued other things more?

And I consider my future, too. Would I feel the same way about whatever I choose to do next?