Photo Credit: Juval Photography
Hey there! Welcome to the Hurwitz.tv “Leaders” interview series, where we chat with the leaders in tech and business to discuss the latest industry trends and developments. In this series, you’ll hear from CEOs, CTOs, and other thought leaders as they share their insights on everything from AI to Investing.
In this interview, we talk to Ronen Menipaz, Co-Founder of Voyage Capital, Co-Host of Real Life Superpowers Podcast and serial entrepreneur with five successful exits under his belt.
What productivity tips have helped you significantly?
I find that taking responsibility for the people is one of the key motivators on an entrepreneurial journey.
It’s what trust is built on, and it’s what success is ultimately measured in. Business is a team sport, and accountability plays a significant role.
So when the team is appreciated and motivated, overall productivity rises.
What are some mindset tips you need to have when running a business?
Learn to embrace three things – optimism, persistence and curiosity.
My understanding is that a mindset is how we’re programmed to react to situations that happen to us. As an entrepreneur, your passion and your will to make a vision a reality is what fuels the fire. And based on my personal experience + having interviews over 65 of the entrepreneurial world’s peak performers on my podcast – I can say – they all stay optimistic, even when the s*it hits the fan.
Right after that, comes the willingness to make things happen, despite the setbacks. Embracing failure, mainly through persistence is one of the key aspects of making things work. Taking a step back to reflect and rethink a solution is a must, but the willingness to see it through is the main driver.
And last, but not at all least important – curiosity is a lethal weapon. The urge to rethink an existing solution, figuring out what value can be added to what you’re doing, or wanting to do sets that initial spark that shapes an entrepreneurial vision. Cultivating that it is a must.
What are some of your favorite books or articles that have impacted the way you think?
There are many, but, I’ll put this in a list for those interested:
- Freakonomics, by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
- Fail Fast, Fail Often, by Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz
- Tools of Titans, by Tim Ferriss
- Losing My Virginity, by Richard Branson
- Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
And, it might sound cheesy, but since the question is aimed at “the way I think” – I’d add all the conversations I’ve had with people smarter than myself over the years. Meeting the right people, and having meaningful conversations helps heaps. Being present and active in that sense is no joke.
Who is someone who has really impacted your work? It can be a family member, friend mentor, public persona, etc.
Besides some of the already mentioned influences, I’d single out one of the most important ones –my father, (professor) Ehud Menipaz.
He truly shaped me into the person that I am, and among so much experience we naturally shared, I’d single out four most important lessons from him:
– How to think for the width of knowledge instead of depth
– The power of simplicity (especially in business)
– Mind and body go together
– Never to react impulsively
What are your thoughts on the future of technology and how it will impact business?
I think that one thing is an unapologetic constant in the world of business. And that is change.
However, some of the tech we’re seeing today is surely set to change the way we approach work itself, and the traditional concepts of business. Some 30 years ago, it was the Internet. But, just like AI, and the innovations before it, it’s all aimed to automate and make the business processes easier.
For me, AR/VR still have untapped potential, and are surely to enter our lives more.
Who would you love to have lunch with?
So many great people are out there, and so much knowledge. Wouldn’t really constrain it to a lunch, or one person, but in a gun-against-my-head type of situation, I’d pick Richard Branson.
