The Kurty D Show

033 - From Impossible to Inevitable with Aaron Ross

Episode Summary

Do you believe in luck or fate? Aaron Ross has a unique perspective that might change your mind… This week I'm excited to share my conversation with my friend, Aaron Ross - the pioneering software sales leader, author, & consultant. This episode goes against conventional thinking and is loaded with insights. Aaron had a pivotal part in my early tech career when I was fortunate to be his housemate in Santa Monica in 2010 - 2011. Coincidentally this is also when he wrote his best-selling book “Predictable Revenue,” which is now considered by many in the Tech Sector to be the Bible for selling Software as a Service. Aaron has gone on to have a high-profile career consulting with some of the biggest names in enterprise tech, plus writing up a powerful follow-up book called “From Impossible to Inevitable” with Jason Lemkin from SaaStr. Now, Aaron has ten kids with his amazing wife Jessica, and they recently moved from Los Angeles to Edinburgh, Scotland- where Aaron is reimaging his life and cooking up what’s next! If you’re an Aaron Ross or Predictable Revenue fan- or interested in personal reinvention, I think you’ll find this interview to be worth digging into.

Episode Notes

What we covered:

Aaron’s journey throughout the years as a professional.
How his career in sales was more of an accident rather than a career path he actually wanted.
How the idea of “doing the things that you love and you don’t have to work a day” lead to burnout.
The importance of having “good” and “bad” days if you want to succeed even more with your career.
The importance of not letting your ego dictate your career path.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Whatever you do, some days you’re gonna suck and some days, you’re gonna be better. Everything I’ve done, there are some good days and bad days. You’ll be surprised, maybe tomorrow or next year things will change.” - Aaron Ross

“It’s easy to go back to what you used to before, but it doesn’t always work.” - Aaron Ross

“Don’t be an asshole in the way you write. Get your ego out of the way.” - Aaron Ross

“So much about doing startups is about luck.” - Kurt Daradics

“Some people may not believe in luck. They believe in fate or everything happens for a reason, and I tend to be in that camp, honestly.” - Aaron Ross

“I took the job because I knew I needed to learn that craft. And you can’t learn it by reading books. It’s a way to get paid to learn.” - Aaron Ross

I didn’t let my ego get the job that I want to. It wasn’t the title and definitely wasn’t the pay.” - Aaron Ross

Links Mentioned:

Stanford Graduate School of Business

UC Sta. Barbara