said the serial entrepreneur.

“Since we last talked, I have built and financed a growing profitable business. I have hired over 50 amazing people, all empowered by my model, and making a great living.

My valley friends say this isn’t enough. I need to take VC money and scale. If I take the deal, I won’t grow based on my values. I will be forced to build a platform, and like Uber, the intent to originally empower a workforce will in turn, drive them into commoditized slaves."

“Then don’t take the money" I said “when did a lifestyle business become a bad thing? Build organically and grow geometrically using your profits."

“Yea, but Elwin, that might be great for 5-10 years, and for me personally, but I want to make a sustainable change in lives of the people who work with me.

I know the exactly how to build the software platform that will disrupt me just like Uber disrupted cab companies and the required investment.

But the real cost: I don’t know how to I make sure the platform doesn’t commoditize the people that I intended to empower."

“This my friend, is a Faustian situation" I said.

He smiled, “Indeed, grow a solid business only to be disrupted, or be the disruptor sacrificing my intent"

Original Linkedin Post: http://bit.ly/2v1DpbM