I haven't done it (i.e start the company _as_ the kid was born) so I can't be sure but he was born during the most hectic phase of the company, bootstrapping ou

I haven't done it (i.e start the company _as_ the kid was born) so I can't be sure but he was born during the most hectic phase of the company, bootstrapping our way up, with lots of travel. Even during that time, I still had plenty of time to enjoy watching him grow up. The best lesson for me was watching my co-founder Tony Thomas, who could maintain his Buddha-like calm in the face of trying circumstances. He was the one who taught me it is possible to keep that balance. Of course, I haven't watched any television in years (for the longest time, I didn't even own a TV set) and I cannot name any recent music band but thanks to the Economist-habit, I can quote the per-capita GDP of most countries within 10-20% So you have to make judicious choices, but it is possible to achieve that balance between family life and entrepreneurship.