Third Shift Entrepreneur

Chapter 5Real World Education

Matt was up early the next morning and ready to make the 16-minute bike ride to the address that Kenneth had texted him. He had not ridden his bicycle in what seemed like a year, which was odd given how regularly he biked everywhere when living in DC and Chicago, even through the punishing winters in previous years. Something about the temperate weather and the general motivation he was feeling had him grab the bike, inflate the tires, and head out at 5:30 a.m. as the sun was rising.

Upon arriving, he realized that the address provided was a residential real estate brokerage office. The lights were on, but he didn't see anyone. He cracked open the door and could hear loud talking in the back even though he was 15 minutes early.

“Hello?” Matt called out.

He saw Kenneth, his Lyft driver turned potential client and now turned personal coach of sorts, come charging out from the back hallway. “What's up, Matt? Glad to see you made it. To be honest, I wasn't sure if you'd show up.” Though their interactions had been finite, Matt felt a deep kinship and trust for this new friend and guide.

“I thought I would be early, but it looks as if the other folks are here,” Matt said.

“It's all good. We've been here since 5:30 a.m. Newcomers, like you, come at 6:00 a.m. But you're fine. This is good timing. Come on in and I'll introduce you to everyone.”

Matt walked into the intimate conference room with whiteboards on two of the four walls, folding chairs scattered ...