Why I left Harvard to start a business

_{[Read time: 2 minutes]}

People often ask why I left my full-time job at Harvard to start a business. My answer tends to catch them off guard:

“Speed boats.”

(figuratively speaking, of course)

In my mind, a business, organization, or institution operates like a cruise ship or a speedboat.

Cruise ships operate big.

(Harvard is a massive cruise ship, and rightfully so)

• They’re built for safety — with backup plans, lifeboats, and plenty of equipment to weather any storm.

• They offer endless amenities and choices — opportunities abound.

• They require a full crew to operate — the pressure to move the ship isn’t all on you.

Cruise ships create a massive wake. Their impact spreads far and wide.

But here’s the catch: they need a lot of energy (and time) to turn.

That means decisions happen slowly. Many people are involved in the process, which means implementation drags. And changing course is expensive, so speed is often sacrificed for precise planning.

Speed boats operate small.

• They don’t have all the safety features.

• They might only have a small cabin below the deck.

• And they need just one person to drive.

Speed boats don’t make as big of a splash, but are agile and nimble.

That means decisions happen fast. With fewer people needed to make them, implementation is swift. Changing course is basically a necessity (and doesn’t cost much).

And yes, more mistakes are likely to be made, so success relies on iteration, adaptability…and obviously…speed.

I finally realized 3 things mattered to me (and my work):

1. Tempo: I wanted to work in an environment where decisions happened quickly — even if they weren’t always perfect.

2. Agility: I wanted a dynamic space that would push me to adapt in real time — even if I wasn’t protected by the organization's bubble.

3. Upside: I wanted a business where my efforts weren’t capped by salary levels or years of experience – even if that meant sacrificing those amenities and ditching the safety boat.

To be clear, a speed boat isn’t better than a cruise ship.

And a cruise ship isn’t better than a speed boat.

It’s a choice between the two.

Some people thrive on cruise ships.

I left Harvard because I’m built to thrive in a speed boat.

And it took 10 years to realize that.

Thank you for reading.

See you next week.

— Peter

P.S. Finding the right words to describe this preference took much longer than expected. But it seems to make sense now. What are you built for?

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