#115 Kevin Kehoe | From entrepreneur to cancer survivor - lessons in doing extraordinary things

Kevin Kehoe is an entrepreneur and cancer survivor; co-founder of Aspire Software, and author of “One Hit Wonder - real life adventures of an average guy”. As the book highlights, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

 

During 30 years of consultancy work in landscape management, construction in snow and ice, Kevin saw a need for new software in these industries – current software lacked the ability to give the contractor everyday insight. He co-founded Aspire Software.

Kevin explains 3 tips he would give someone about to start up a business:

1)      People – the team you are going into business with are the most important – it’s essentially like a marriage – choose wisely!

2)      Capital – most people underestimate how much they need.

3)      Hours – don’t underestimate how much time setting up a business will take, and the impact this will have on your family etc.

How would you cope with starting a business and then almost immediately going through a traumatic life event (in Kevin’s case, incurable cancer)? “Cancer is a brutal unforgiving disease – just when you think you’ve made progress, it kicks you back in the teeth.”

Has having cancer changed your perspective on life and business? “It’s turned me into a hugger – I tell people I love them!”

Kevin explains his perspective on resilience – “From a business angle, resilience is everything, especially in relation to start-ups. It is essential, especially early on. If you get the plumbing and wiring right at the beginning – the right people, the right service model etc., you don’t have to tear down the house further down the line.” Resilience can be about taking things a day at a time, which is something you really learn, living with cancer. It’s not all about grit, determination and gung-ho – that’s not resilience. Sometimes it’s just getting through the day, working through the tasks you’ve planned for that day. One manageable step at a time.

 

Note: Sadly, Kevin Kehoe recently passed from his 8.5 yr battle with Stage 4 cancer. This interview is being posted as a tribute to Kevin.

 

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycAE8uNWmkM   Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kehoe/ Website: http://www.kehoe.biz/ Email: kevinkehoe@me.com  

 

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