Entrepreneurship and the Texas Future

"Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding."
Proverbs 4:7

The Texas Public Policy Foundation opened its new building with a fantastic primer on entrepreneurship; this author especially appreciated the discussion of Biblical financial principles and the role they played in building the businesses.

Jim Lininger:



Highlights:

• Insurance companies were pulling out of the medical industry in Texas.
• "I was just offended."

• "Then I became really passionate about school choice."

• "Two years later we went public and I owned 98% of the stock."

• "The schools today are as bad as they were 26 years ago."

Red McCombs:



Highlights:

• "I was very much aware of the Depression."

• "I always hustled for the use of time."

• "I never was money hungry, but I never was opposed to carrying around a little either."

• "I know how to win, I expect to win, and most of the time I do win."

• Most great things in the world are driven by entrepreneurs.

• Do what you're currently doing really well and you'll be noticed.

Jim Henry:

Highlights:

• "When you say you're a Christian company, you've got to act like one."

• "It took us seven years to earn our first million dollars, but the Bible says that which is grown slowly is grown successfully."

• Never borrowed money until later.

• Fracking is more like mining for oil and gas than drilling.

• When you start something, have a plan.

• Turn hard times into good times.

• "The harder you work, the luckier you get."

• "Only those who are doing things are making mistakes."

Q&A:

Highlights:

• McCombs: "If you're going to be in the field, Texas is the best place to be."

• The easy way out is never the best way.

• Christians tend to be harder working and more reliable than most people.

• If you follow tithing carefully, you'll be blessed.

• Tithing is foundational.

• Opportunity knocks by the week, the key is to pick the right one.

• "The hardest time in the world to get a job is when you're out of a job."