Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Volley co-founder Mike Murchison, whose company connects people with strong networks and qualities to help them reach their goals faster. What was the inspiration behind the idea? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m the co-founder of Volley, a website that helps you harness your community’s social network for career-changing introductions.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
We started Volley because we want to help people reach their goals faster. No one can achieve their goals alone; volley helps us help each other.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
I love connecting people, so, honestly, the favourite part of my day is in the morning when I go through my cards on Volley and connect my friends around challenges they’re facing or people they’re looking for. The most challenging part of my day is probably task prioritization. There are always a million things to do in a start up; one has to get really good at identifying the highest order tasks to focus on.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
Hallucinations from sleep depravity were a pretty clear sign for me. But that was a while ago when I took a short-term approach to productivity. Today, I have a much longer-term orientation, which gives me more balance in my day-to-day.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m fundamentally drawn to where people and technology meet. If I’m not working on Volley in five years, I’ll be working on a different start-up with a similar mission.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
Throughout my life I aim to create, learn, and laugh with people who are much smarter than myself.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Selling my last start up was a big one.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
The hardest thing you can do is listen to yourself. Do hard things.
Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Ruby Watchco. Just go there.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
I read a lot. I’m currently reading Abundance by Peter Diamandis, which does a great job of outlining our world’s most vexing problems.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
Somewhere I’ve never been before. To me, travelling is about new experiences.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
Something very, very similar with very, very similar people.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’m a big fan of Rumie, which is democratizing access to tablet education in the developing world.
What to you is notable?
People who pay it forward. I’ve only accomplished what I have because so many people have offered advice, feedback, and introductions along the way. I’m happy to help out any one I can; send me an email at mike@volleyit.co.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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