Education-Experience Paradox

Author

Caleb Laird
April 01, 2024 • Read Time: 2 minutes

Can you start a business without any knowledge of the industry? Doubtful.

Can you learn everything about that industry from a textbook? Also doubtful.

Thus a paradox emerges: do we learn or do we experience? Samuel Taylor chimes in with both.

In a recent interview he discusses his journey building Long Table—specifically what it takes to transform a mere idea into a business.

Taylor had no working knowledge of the packaged food industry, but he knew he wanted to produce his pancake mix in bulk. So he immersed himself in every resource available until he had enough of a plan to get through his first year.

At that point he jumped straight in. After all, “experience is the best teacher.”

Many well-meaning entrepreneurs preach that you should figure it all out by trial and error. But without a baseline knowledge, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Learn your trade on paper and in practice.

Neglecting either is short-sighted.

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