#219: Born to Build - Adam Rossi

Always Be Building

In this episode, I sit down with Adam Rossi, who built and sold a successful cybersecurity software company serving federal agencies. Adam shares his journey from structural engineer to tech entrepreneur, offering key insights on starting and scaling a business.
We discuss his strategic approach to entrepreneurship - working for two years to gain experience before launching his venture, living frugally while his wife's income provided stability, and evolving his company from a one-person engineering software business to a 250-person organization developing sophisticated government tools.
Adam candidly discusses the challenges of scaling, his post-exit experience, and how he's approached subsequent ventures with a focus on better work-life balance. He shares practical wisdom on how to get started in entrepreneurship, managing risk, and why young founders may have advantages in terms of energy and flexibility.
The conversation also covers his current projects, including his popular off-grid cabin builds and his perspective on Bitcoin as a tool for financial independence. Adam's story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and those navigating business ownership's challenges.
Hope you enjoy the show!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Precap
00:02:06 - Introduction and Background
00:03:49 - Entrepreneurial Journey and Advice
00:07:04 - The Risk and Reward of Entrepreneurship
00:12:49 - Dealing with Uncertainty and Loneliness
00:15:37 - Negative Feedback and Entrepreneurship
00:18:47 - The Evolution of a Business Idea
00:20:18 - The Early Days and Challenges
00:22:02 - First Major Project and Pivot
00:30:23 - Growth and Evolution of the Company
00:34:58 - Decision to Sell the Company
00:38:13 - Life After Selling the Company
00:40:20 - Transitioning from Retirement to New Ventures
00:42:25 - Investing and Entrepreneurship
00:45:55 - Interest in Bitcoin
00:48:29 - The Struggles of Overthinking
00:53:15 - The Appeal of Off-Grid Living