Rachael is the CEO/founder of Gather Labs—a vertically-integrated High Complexity CLIA lab focused on same-day diagnostics results.
When you have an idea you know can change the world, the path to bringing that idea to life can feel like a fictional hero’s journey. Forward-thinking founders who are devoted to their vision know that this road is filled with more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan script.
There are parallels we can draw between popular fantasy or apocalyptic worlds and the realities startup founders face every day. Speaking from experience, there are plots and characters in one of my favorite series, Stranger Things, that give us creative metaphors for the life of visionaries who don’t necessarily play by the rules. Here are five of those parallels (beware, spoilers ahead!).
1. Entrepreneurs accept alternate realities.
Founders who are willing to do something that nobody else has done before will frequently be told that it can’t be done, their ideas are absurd and that they should reorient their energy toward something that makes more sense to more people—the “safer” path.
This certainly was the case for the Stranger Things kids and Will’s mom (Joyce)—the only ones to initially conceptualize what was going on in their town after a boy went missing. Their ability to zoom in closer and feel more deeply allowed them to see things differently—not just in identifying the problem of Will’s disappearance but also in finding a solution to get him back.
Similarly, founders encounter similar scenarios: They must continue to believe that their vision is possible, worthwhile and can change lives if actualized—all while facing constant internal struggle and confusion from the world around them.
It would’ve been nice if someone warned us about the internal and external struggles entrepreneurship would bring. However, one of the most rewarding elements of the hero’s journey is in overcoming those obstacles. I’ve found that finding my center through yoga and meditation or finding ways to physically escape the noise, such as retreating to destinations where I feel at peace, helps me remain sharp and disconnect from feelings of anxiety and worry that come with the struggles entrepreneurs face.
2. Entrepreneurs build a team.
Just like the gang in Stranger Things, a great startup team is made up of individuals with diverse strengths who take on the challenges of the “upside down” world of entrepreneurship together. Similar to the ensemble cast of the show, founders must build a trusted entourage whose skills complement each other, help achieve the end goal and share the same core values.
Jim Collins’ book Good to Great gives us the famous bus analogy, which insists that business leaders should focus on the “who” before the “what.” Make sure you have the right people in the right seats (and the wrong people off the bus) so you can confidently believe that your team is committed to the mission, the journey and the people—rather than the destination.
3. To save the world, they must sometimes shut it out.
These characters (and entrepreneurs) aim to achieve what others deem impossible. Their founder (or superhero) is a young girl named Eleven with magic powers who can move things with her mind. I think there’s a strong metaphor for entrepreneurship in the show with the sensory deprivation tank, where she can tune out everything and everyone to focus closely on one issue. Though it may seem counter-productive to step away during a crisis, sometimes a safe, quiet place is exactly what’s needed to find the best solution.
Founders are always managing so many aspects of their business that when faced with a pressing issue, it can often be effective to step away and indulge in silent reflection and listen to their intuition. Startups often face challenges that, if handled improperly, could devastate their mission and the people they serve. While business leaders should always hold a grasp on reality, there’s no denying the benefits of taking a step back.
4. They push past their limits.
There are multiple times throughout the series when Eleven has to push beyond what she believes she is capable of. Without fail, she always stepped up when it mattered most. Her friends always believed in her, so she did, too.
This is absolutely the case for founders, as well. There are very few startup case studies that depict a smooth-running operation from start to finish. Building a business from scratch inherently entails running into certain challenges that you, society and even your board may think are impossible to overcome. Entrepreneurs must inevitably overcome obstacles that will seem insurmountable. But if El has taught us anything, it’s that people are often far more capable than we give them credit for.
I’ve learned that when facing a huge goal, you shouldn’t think about how you’ll get there. Just take the first step, even if the next is unknown. Some days that’s enough. Try to push yourself to take one more tiny step and then one more. Focus on the micro, and then one day, you’ll see you arrive at the destination. That sense of completion is so sweet!
5. Underdogs can turn into superheroes.
Before founders reach prominent success and are labeled “visionaries,” they’re often called many other things: oddballs, outcasts, etc. These characters are no exception, with one key difference: They don’t internalize these characterizations as negative traits. In fact, their differences and peculiarities end up serving them well. No matter the scenario, they prove that underdogs can be the superheroes we all need.
Without dreamers in business, we wouldn’t experience true disruption. May we all believe in the visionaries, find our inner superpower, build cool companies and possibly save the world along the way.
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