Every day is different but over the years I have learned that I do my best work first thing in the morning, so I always make sure to tackle my most critical work during that time each day.
Brandon Colker has enjoyed immense success as the CEO of Sustainable Venture Capital, a firm dedicated to funding early-stage projects committed to alternative and sustainable energy. In his role as CEO, Mr. Colker has overseen tremendous growth and has consistently backed projects that meet lofty standards relating to each individual project’s potential for growth and its potential for providing a clear societal benefit. It is in his role with Sustainable Venture Capital that Mr. Colker has been able to achieve a laudable balance between profitability and environmental responsibility.
As a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in economics, Mr. Colker has relied on his education, experience and conscience as the CEO of Sustainable Venture Capital. A highly analytical professional with a penchant for thoroughly researching each potential investment opportunity, Mr. Colker is known for his open-mindedness and his willingness to evaluate opportunities strictly on merit.
He is also the author of How To Make Big Bucks From Big Blogs. Brandon Colker was recently featured on Huffington Post.
Where did the idea for Sustainable Venture Capital come from?
The idea of funding early-stage ventures — particularly those geared toward achieving environmentally responsible goals — has always been appealing to me. Sustainable Venture Capital represented a great way to become more involved with a broad range of important projects.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Every day is different but over the years I have learned that I do my best work first thing in the morning, so I always make sure to tackle my most critical work during that time each day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I’ve always been big on involving people I trust in the creative process, so I always start with an outline or general concept that I can bring to my team. We then work together to round out the idea until we all feel it is worth pursuing or implementing.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
More and more people are coming to the realization that alternative energy sources are not inherently inferior and actually represent a better option in many cases.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
It’s not so much a habit than it is a trait, but I actively try to remain open-minded to any new idea, concept or vision so I can analyze its potential entirely on merit.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I spent one summer working as an assistant to the dockmaster at a local marina. It was grueling physical labor, but it allowed me to develop a clear understanding of the true value of my time and energy.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I am analytical by nature, so it took quite some time for me to adopt a more aggressive approach. I would like to have seen what we could have accomplished had we taken more calculated risks from the outset.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I consider ever idea as thoroughly as possible, and I recommend entrepreneurs be careful about immediately dismissing or accepting any idea.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Our growth has been directly tied to our ability to recognize the kind of investment opportunities that are both profitable and aim to achieve a clear societal good.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Shortly after founding this venture we passed on some opportunities we felt were solid at the time but also represented more risk than we were ready to take on. We have since tried to strike a greater balance between trusting in our analyses and trusting in our instincts.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Any business that is centered on sustainable energy sources is going to do very well in the near future, as there is a significant opportunity for massive growth in what is still very much an untapped industry.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
It was a bit more than $100, but I just made a donation to my alma mater’s athletics program. I still enjoy attending sporting events when I am able, and I am glad to offer whatever support I can.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
My team and I have proprietary software and algorithms designed specifically for our purposes, and I love the fact that they are all highly specialized to suit our operational goals.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“The Future,” by Al Gore. It’s a book that takes an in-depth and informed look at our economic, social and political future along with what the author refers to as the “Drivers of Global Change.” Every entrepreneur should consider reading this book regardless of their political affiliation.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, has had a significant influence on me from both a personal and professional standpoint, and I really enjoyed this Inc. magazine feature about him.
Connect:
Brandon Colker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/brandon-colker/1a/134/48