My Weekend Reading List - 7/6/2013‏

Happy weekend, everyone! I really enjoyed my Fourth of July holiday, and spent a lot of time reflecting on the work we’ve accomplished at the agency. There’s something about America’s annual celebration of freedom that reminds me of the entrepreneurial spirit, and the people and events that inspire me.

When I read Why Startups Live by Andrew Montalenti on TheNextWeb.com, I couldn’t help but think back to the formative days of my career and starting a scratch insurance agency. Putting meaning behind those amazing first stages is an incredible feeling.

I also caught up on some episodes of the podcast, Entrepreneur on Fire with John Lee Dumas, and became really motivated by discussions with people such as Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin. Just looking at the show’s recent lineup of guests had me thinking I need to update my iTunes more often.

Browsing some New York Times headlines also led me to the article, Immigration and Entrepreneurship, which zoomed in on data suggesting immigrants are unusually entrepreneurial. This was the first time I had heard about the “startup visa,” which served as a great reminder of how America remains a place of diversity and opportunity for those who strive to achieve.

Finally, after attending a handful of graduation parties this past month, I thought about the next generation of insurance agents. Reading Advice for Recent Grads from a Young Entrepreneur made me envision my own daughter, hopefully starting a successful business of her own, and sharing the motivation and spirit that has driven me throughout my professional career.

I hope you enjoy a great holiday weekend, and all the success you deserve in the days that follow.
 
Talk soon,
 
Doug