- The document is Edward Tinsley's reflective journal about his entrepreneurial experiences and interests. It details his childhood influences growing up in a business-oriented family, experiences working with startups in the US and UK, and realization that he enjoys building and marketing new ventures as part of a small team. His goal is to gain marketing experience at a large company before joining an early-stage startup.

1. To Denise CrossanWelcome to Edward Tinsley’s reflective journal.Chapter Guide.ChildhoodLike father, like sonDreams of the USAIdea logCould I do it?Future Goals

2. Childhood Influences.I was born in New York into a very business orientated family, my father was a management consultant and my grandfather was a very successful American banker

3. I had the fortune of spending a lot of time around business leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the globe

4. Being an oldest son of a successful businessman I have perhaps subconsciously rejected the idea of attempting to follow a similar career path as he worked for a large organization (McKinsey) for 25 years…

5. My main entrepreneurial influence was from my mother (an artist) as she provided a totally different creative influence

6. We would make undertake family projects such as elaborate, pop-out Christmas cards for hundreds of friends and family!

7. I did not make any money…it was more slave labor, but the values of creating something personal and thoughtful remained. A value that I have learnt is crucial to any entrepreneurial ventureFatherly Introduction.After retiring as a management consultant my father took on a role investing and coaching small startups and charity projects including being part of Ashoka’s support network

8. Being invested in many of these ventures myself, I have participated in as many conference calls and investor meetings as possible

9. Listening to the conversational dynamics between founders, board members and investors has taught me a great deal of problems that are encountered at the early stages of growth!