Blake Reichenbach: How to Thrive in Part-Time Entrepreneurship?

Blake Reichenbach is a Product Manager at HubSpot, focusing on the Content AI Platform, and the founder of Howdy, Curiosity, an innovative online nonfiction bookstore and learning community. With a rich background in higher education, marketing, and the SaaS industry, Blake brings a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to his roles. His professional journey at HubSpot has been marked by leading pivotal initiatives such as the modernization of Trust and Safety infrastructure through advanced machine learning integrations while managing multiple high-priority corporate objectives.

In our conversation, we explored the nuanced challenges and triumphs of nurturing entrepreneurial endeavors alongside a career. Blake shared insights from his journey, emphasizing the lack of support for non-traditional, part-time entrepreneurs. "There weren't ways for people like me to connect with mentors and to connect with other people who had been down the path I was going down," he explained, highlighting the initial isolation he felt.

The discussion also touched on the transformative potential of combining professional stability with entrepreneurial passion. Blake detailed his evolution from a discontented academic advisor to a fulfilled product manager and side-project entrepreneur. His transition was not just a career change but a complete lifestyle overhaul, facilitated by strategic learning and creative exploration. "I knew nothing about building my own business...and really, the only skill set that I had relevant to my entrepreneurial journey at that time was the skill set I was using as a writer," Blake recounted, illustrating the humble beginnings of his entrepreneurial path.

Blake is particularly passionate about fostering a community that supports "the curious professional." He has created Howdy, Curiosity, a platform designed to cater to those balancing full-time jobs with creative and entrepreneurial projects. This initiative aims to build "support and accountability systems for folks who are working on creative and entrepreneurial projects in their free time."

His journey underscores that entrepreneurship doesn't always require risking everything. It can be a stable, incremental pursuit that complements an existing career. "It's the projects we pursue on the side that are the most rewarding and can lead to the most significant long-term growth for ourselves, both personally and professionally," he shared, providing a fresh perspective on what it means to be an entrepreneur today.

Key Takeaways:

1. Entrepreneurship as a Part-Time Pursuit: The conversation sheds light on the often overlooked path of part-time entrepreneurship, proving that one can pursue entrepreneurial ventures without giving up the stability of full-time employment.
2. The Value of Community: Blake emphasizes the critical role of supportive communities for part-time entrepreneurs, illustrating how such networks can provide the necessary resources and mentorship to thrive.
3. Leveraging Corporate Skills for Personal Projects: Blake's journey demonstrates how skills acquired in a corporate setting can be effectively translated into managing and growing personal projects, enriching both professional and personal aspects of life.

Listeners will leave this episode inspired by Blake’s resilience and innovative approach to entrepreneurship, equipped with practical insights into balancing passion projects with professional responsibilities.