Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
732: From Harvard Engineer to Inc. 5000 CEO: David G. Ewing on How to Build a Successful Business
Nov 27, 2024
David G. Ewing, an innovative CEO and Harvard Engineering graduate, shares his entrepreneurial journey from the 2000 tech recession to leading Motiv, an Inc. 5000 company. He discusses overcoming self-doubt through mindfulness, the importance of creating "moments of wonder" in customer experiences, and the role of support networks like the Entrepreneurs Organization. Ewing emphasizes work-life integration over balance, humility in leadership, and effective time management strategies to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.
52:01
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Quick takeaways
- David G. Ewing emphasizes that entrepreneurial resilience is critical for success, especially during initial hardships and failures.
- The transformative partnership with Oracle not only stabilized Motive during economic downturns but also instilled disciplined business practices.
Deep dives
The Gritty Origin of Motive
Motive's inception was rooted in necessity rather than a well-laid plan, as the founder, David G. Ewing, started the company at the age of 24. Following a failed startup and a challenging economic climate, Ewing initially sought consulting work to sustain himself financially before gradually nurturing his software company idea. The journey was fraught with instability for four years, characterized by volatile hand-to-mouth existence before he could clarify his vision for the company. Ultimately, it wasn't until Ewing was 28 years old that he began to establish a more structured foundation for Motive, rooted in perseverance through initial hardships.
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