Jake Burhans spent years chasing titles and money to feel worthy, thinking success would make him happy. He eventually realized fulfillment comes from helping people: developing employees, creating value, and making a real impact. The external markers don't matter.
To be honest, I think a lot of the drive for entrepreneurship at first came from almost needing to— not to get deep right off the bat here, but to validate myself through the accomplishments or the titles of being an entrepreneur, be like being a success, successful entrepreneur, making a certain amount of money or getting to a certain level in business. You know, I needed that to almost feel validated or kind of worthy. But what I've come to realize over time is that it's not really about any of that. It's really about like who I am. Like, am I helping people, right? Am I putting people in a better position within the business? It's about our employees, our company, developing them and just being a genuinely good person trying to provide value. And the universe pays you back. It'll come back around to you.
