On having the right support infrastructure for success

One of the things I have always felt incredibly grateful for is that I have the right support infrastructure to succeed. I am successful not only because of the fact that I work hard and put in long hours. I am in fact successful because of all the fantastic people who support me. As I approach the end of the year, and I reflect on my 2010 Manifesto, I realize that I couldn’t have arrived where I am now if I didn’t have the right support infrastructure for success. I was asked once how often do I say thanks, and I answered rather curtly “all the time”. And it’s true. To this day, I still thank my friends without whom I would not have succeeded, even those who are no longer in my life.

I have the support and friendship of the cofounders of The Network Hub, a formidable platform for entrepreneurship, a launch pad and a safe haven where I have grown as a consultant and entrepreneur.
I have the support of my home department (Political Science at UBC) for my teaching
I have the friendship and support of The Network Hub community and alumni, for my entrepreneurial career
I have trusted partners in the different areas that I blog about, PR/marketing folks in the restaurant and food industries, in the theatre, dance and arts communities, and in the non-profit world
I have had wonderful mentors in the evolution of my blogging
I have wonderful clients who partner with me in fantastic projects.
I am able to count on wonderful friends who pass on leads for new projects or partner with me in joint ventures.
And in a surprising twist of events, through the years, I have counted with my family and offline friends’ support to my blogging

This last point has resonated with me lately quite a lot. My offline friends and loved ones often try new restaurants “because who knows, Raul, you might want to blog about it”. Or they join me in social media functions, like my brother did in his recent visit (we went together to the News 1130 Tweetup). My Mom went with me to many social media functions this summer. And JT often buys tickets to shows he knows I might want to blog about in the future. And tolerates it when people stop us as we go for walks and they recognize me as “OMG you’re Hummingbird604″.

To all the folks who partner with me and provide me with the right support infrastructure for success, my eternal gratitude and love.

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