Make your bed every morning. It gives you a humble start to your day.
Zachary Burell holds his Master’s degree in Physics and is currently a Graduate Student in Physics Entrepreneurship at Case Western Reserve University. He also works as an Engineering Physics Intern at Zin Technologies.
When he is not pursuing work at Zin Technologies, Zachary Burell is actively laying the groundwork for a commercially viable quantum computing company. His desire to help others through the development of technological solutions has led him to the decision to create a company capable of following through with that goal. As he seeks out the funding for his startup, he continues to educate himself through his academic career and a continued love of reading.
When he does carve out some free time, Zachary Burell can be found volunteering to help educate the public in the sciences. As a volunteer science teacher, he has helped many students cultivate a love for all things STEM. He also takes time to gaze at the stars, go camping, kayaking, and bike riding. This intrepid entrepreneur in development knows both how to enjoy himself and help others.
Where did the idea for your company come from?
I suppose it naturally emerged as a viable strategy given the basis of our economy. The opportunity to do science and be self -supportive is one that presents many unique opportunities not available if you are at the whims of distractions like funding committees and other political intrusions into the scientific process; Entrepreneurship is the only way to achieve these ends simultaneously.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I do not really have a typical day. I work some days, I go to school other days, I have to do my research and apply for funding. The only real typical thing I do is to keep my schedule. On Mondays, I make my schedule for the week. If I didn’t keep a calendar, it would be impossible to keep my days straight.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I always have a notebook and a pen with me. Our brain is great at coming up with Ideas, but is not good at storing them, getting ideas down so they are not forgotten is the essential first step. It is important to follow up this creative phase by subjecting your ideas to skepticism and killing off the unviable ones as quickly as possible.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The trend in the growth of Commercial Human Spaceflight and the proposal to fly to the Moon aboard a commercial spacecraft in the next year or two is very exciting as it suggests affordable space tourism could be not that much further away.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I rely very heavily on the schedule that I set on Monday mornings. It ensures that all of my priorities are addressed when required. If things pop up, I have some free time to be able to put out any fires.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell the younger Zachary Burell to listen to what your granddad told you. Just make your bed every morning. It gives you a humble start to your day.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Most of the things that I know are very controversial. One person’s truth is called a conspiracy when it is without research. Many people are waking up to the truths in our world, but only the alternative media will discuss what we have been trained not to see. For now, perhaps I should just choose 9/11 as a huge disagreement between me and other individuals who have not done their own research. I am sure the truth will be forthcoming.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing that I do over and over again is read. I read all the time. I finish one book, and I get another. I would recommend that everyone do the same.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
One strategy I will do is to continue to look for funding to be able to build and support my research and my goals. I will do my research on what is available to me. I will master the art of drafting proposals and business plans to promote new ideas and gain support.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
The reason why I am in grad school is to learn all that I can to minimize failure in the future. As long as I stay on my path and complete my education, I am hoping that I will be able to avoid any significant failures. If there are any failures, I will learn from them and make the best of it. There are no real failures as long as you took the swing. I plan to address problems carefully but head-on.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I think there are a lot of issues getting around campus. They should create a real-time app for students on campus who are going from point A to point B to be able to connect in real-time for help with transportation.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I bought a new starter for my car. Now I can get around. I ordered the part, and I was lucky enough to find a guy who was able to install it for me. Going to a shop would have cost me so much more. I was grateful to find him.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Python, it is a part of Panda’s. I use Panda’s a lot. It enables me to do editing very quickly. I use a lot of spreadsheets and PDFs. I can do editing of word and excel.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid”, also known as GEB, by Douglas Hofstadter. It provides an excellent overview of the hierarchy of the natural world. It explains everything from true abstract mathematics through to the consciousness of human beings, and how they are all interconnected. I think it would be valuable for anyone if they want to obtain a deeper universal understanding.
What is your favorite quote?
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Key Learnings:
● Awake and aware consciousness
● Hard working with a positive attitude
● Eager for knowledge
● Would like to use sciences and math to make the world a better place
Connect:
www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-burell
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.