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The Real Journey of an Entrepreneur
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The Real Journey of an Entrepreneur


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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to Antarctica in 1915 presents an apt metaphor for the entrepreneurial experience. Like explorers, business founders must navigate uncharted terrain to reach their destinations. Christian Wanner, a co-founder of LeShop, a Swiss online supermarket and delivery service, describes his personal entrepreneurial adventure. By drawing parallels between his retail exploits and Shackleton’s arduous, death-defying voyage, Wanner exhibits more than a little ego, though hubris is characteristic of many successful entrepreneurs. getAbstract recommends Wanner’s account to anyone with a novel idea who is embarking on a quest for greatness.

Summary

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton posted a job ad seeking crewmates to join him on an Antarctic expedition: “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” He hired his crew, and a total of 28 men set sail for Antarctica. Alas, trouble struck when the ship got wedged in ice at Antarctica’s Vahsel Bay. The stranded crew survived a long, dark winter while waiting for the ice to melt and free the vessel. When spring came, the thawing ice capsized the ship. Abandoning the wreckage, the men walked for months, hauling supplies in lifeboats across the ice. They then sailed to Elephant Island...

About the Speaker

Christian Wanner is a co-founder of LeShop, a Swiss online supermarket and delivery service.