Ep 2: Learning by Taking Action with Jeremy Smith
- Author
- Arteen Arabshahi
- Published
- Mon 18 Jan 2021
- Episode Link
- https://the-on-ramp.simplecast.com/episodes/ep-2-learning-by-taking-action-with-jeremy-smith-7DBeMrl8
Starting over and picking yourself up after setbacks is not always easy, but it is something that those who succeed do time and again. Not only has today’s guest, Jeremy Smith, never let failures get him down, but he has actually leaned into them and always maintained his infectious, positive energy throughout the journey. Jeremy is the co-founder of SpotHero, the successful digital parking marketplace, and now heads up Equilibrium Ventures, a real estate and alternative investment advisory firm. In this episode, we hear about Jeremy’s uninspiring role as a financial analyst at Motorola and how getting laid off was ultimately the best thing that happened to him. Jeremy discusses starting SpotHero and the pitstop he made slinging pizzas before leaping into cofounding that company. Jeremy looks back on things with gratitude because he knows that it all worked to give him the push he needed. As someone who has worn many hats, Jeremy is adept at learning quickly, and he sheds light on this learning process and the benefits of an upskilling approach. Jeremy is a truly admirable founder not only because of his success, but also the humility and outlook that underpins it all. Tune in to hear more!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Get to know Jeremy, what he’s up to and his surprise love for Texas.
- Jeremy’s experience of entering the job market during the Great Recession.
- Red flags Jeremy noticed early on about the direction his career was going
- How job searches during the COVID-19 pandemic compares to the 2008 Recession.
- Recalling the day he got laid off: How Jeremy was let go from his position at Motorola.
- The lesson Jeremy learned about risk tolerance when he was fired.
- How leaving the corporate world and going to sling pizzas for minimum wage led Jeremy to startups.
- The gratitude Jeremy feels for opportunities falling through so that he could start SpotHero.
- Milestones that stand out to Jeremy on his journey to success.
- Jeremy’s process for mastering new skills quickly.
- Rapid-fire with Jeremy: What motivates him, his definition of success, and one thing he is proud of.
Tweetables:
“I didn’t really feel much joy and excitement and I really felt like I was stretching my personality. I was a round peg in a square hole.” — Jeremy Smith [0:07:57]
“At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is about taking risk and taking action, if you’re not doing that, you’re wasting your time.” — Jeremy Smith [0:20:33]
“You learn by taking action.” — Jeremy Smith [0:29:18]
“For me, I always just want to be able to have a conversation with anybody and being able to do that and be real, I think is an important thing.” — Jeremy Smith [0:32:10]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Equilibrium Ventures on LinkedIn
