Unpacking the Truths of Entrepreneurship: Lessons by Jonathan Aberman

If you are solely chasing quick riches, entrepreneurship might not be the right path for you.
~ Jonathan Aberman

On September 20, John Cabot University hosted Jonathan Aberman, Partner at Ruxton Ventures, in the context of Professor Silvia Carnini Pulino’s International Entrepreneurship course. After completing his studies at Cambridge University, Aberman ventured into a career in investment banking in England before transitioning into corporate law. His extensive background and wide connections ultimately led him to his current career as a Venture Capitalist. His journey serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities within the entrepreneurial world.

Aberman admitted that this journey was a long one, not lacking in failure or success. However, through his diverse careers and experiences, one theme always held: the assessment of risk and return. This skill served as a cornerstone in his professional endeavors and throughout his personal life. For Aberman, being professionally successful is about finding one mastery in life that gives you a competitive advantage and makes you an asset to any team.

But he was not always striving for these so-called “prestigious” careers. His childhood dream of becoming a musician still resonated through his professional endeavors. He wondered how he could merge his passion with a more professional career. Aberman realized that the thing he craved most from this dream was creativity and teamwork. Combining these with his extensive corporate and banking experiences, he decided to transition into the field of venture capitalism, helping small businesses grow into influential, transformative companies. 

Upon entering venture capitalism, he met with a friend who asked him why he wanted to change career paths. His initial response was “to get rich quick.” His friend advised him to keep being a lawyer if getting rich quick truly was his sole pursuit. Entrepreneurship is not about the outcome, but about the journey.

Eventually, Aberman came to discover that entrepreneurship transcends the realm of a mere career; rather, it embodies a distinct persona. An entrepreneur is an individual who seizes opportunities, assumes leadership, embraces the journey, possesses tenacity, adaptability, self-confidence, and self-reflection, and doesn’t fear failure. It is not a career based on monetary gain; it is a way of life. It is a persona that thrives in life’s unpredictabilities and embraces discomfort.

Aberman shared that “entrepreneurship isn’t about answering the door when someone knocks, it’s about having your bags packed.”

(Michaela Salzman)