Mark Pincus of tribe.net
He’s the founder of tribe.net, SupportSoft, Tank Hill, FreeLoader, and many more startups. He has held executive positions with Columbia Capital, Telecommunications, Inc., and Lazard Freres & Co. He’s and investor in the totally cool facebook and friendster social networking sites and napster, impulse buy network, brightmail, EVDB, technorati, feedster, socialtext, xoom, stir crazy, nanosolar, sports performance etc… This guy is a serial entrepreneur on a mission to start companies left and right, he’s a machine that can’t be stopped and there’s no slowing down for him. You’ll never find this guy sitting down because he’s always on the move with something new.
His name is Mark Pincus and here’s what he has to say to the readers of Flush the Toilet:
Tell me a bit about the focus of your company, tribe.net. How did the idea come about? What was the brainstorming process like? Did you feel that your particular niche was unexplored or one that just needed improvement?
We thought there was a good opportunity to create a more social craigslist or one where people had a real identity. It quickly got to be more about groups and communities.
You seem to be a serial entrepreneur with tribe.net, SupportSoft, Tank Hill, and FreeLoader under your belt. What motivates you to constantly start business after business?
I get turned on by using the net medium to enable mass social movements.
What inspires you as an entrepreneur? Any companies or people in particular?
I look up to Richard Branson. He has a fun job.
What are some of the roadblocks or setbacks that you have encountered as being an entrepreneur and how have you gotten past them?
Nobody ever likes your idea when you’re starting. They say it already exists and nobody wants it.
Talk to me about your college days. Good, bad, fun? Where did you attend college? Did your college experience have an impact on your current success?
U Penn. Fun. Not much impact. Though I had to work and that seemed to help get me more entrepreneurial.
When you were younger, was there ever a time when you weren’t taken seriously with your business due to you age?
No. I’m still not taken seriously.
What are some of the things that you consider before creating an internet company?
I like to connect the dots first. That doesn’t mean people are willing to give you money. It means unique selling proposition and sustainable way to make money.
I see that you’re an investor in facebook and friendster, what are some of the things that you consider before investing in a startup? How’s it like working with Mark Zuckerberg (founder of facebook)?
We all want to invest in massively viral high growth plays. Lucky when we actually get to. Mark is one of the smartest kids I’ve ever met. Gets what he knows and doesn’t, very mature for 22.
I’m sure that you’ve had many partners in the past and still do, what advice would you give a student entrepreneur who is looking to build a team?
Know you’re deal upfront. Then trust. Don’t work with friends, but be friends with coworkers. Know what you each own and then have trust. Positive attitude and fun mean a lot. Lose negative, critical people, keep positive critical thinkers.
In your own view, how would you define the internet 10 years from now?
Hmm…a lot cooler and more fun. All about instant video. The ants rule the earth.
Talk to me about the support from your family and friends. Good, bad, none?
Very good support. At least emotional.
So what’s the secret to making money on the internet nowadays in your opinion? Blogs? Social networks? Hosted applications?
Secret is getting real traction with a service people love. Solve real problems.
Describe a typical day in the office?
Don’t usually work in an office. They’re boring. Sit at my dining table. Play with my dog. Rarely the same day twice.
Were you ever told to get a “real job” and just forget about being an entrepreneur? If so, how did that make you feel and what was your response?
I started with real jobs but got fired from all of them. I had no choice.
So what’s your fascination with social networking sites, are they the future?
I see social media taking over more of the net experience. It has always been a medium for many to many communicate. We’re just scratching the surface.
What’s your take on the whole go-to-school-get-a-good-job-work-for someone-for-40 years-then-retire-comfortably-somewhere philosophy?
Good for some people. I’d say if you don’t have debt or wife and kids you owe it to yourself to follow your passions. Fuck being safe. Have fun. Pursue risk and adventure. The world doesn’t need more lawyers or bankers or consultants and I don’t know any having a lot of fun. Don’t try to get rich either. It never works.
What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur with big dreams and high hopes of success?
See above. My girlfriend told me to get in touch with your intent and then don’t try. Most try way too hard.
