‘The Active Pursuit of a Passion’ Jack Huffard '90 talks about the actionable insights he has gained from the Entrepreneurship Summit (Sept. 27-28) and the skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur.
“The combination of W&L students, faculty, and alumni all focused and sharing entrepreneurial ventures and ideas in a safe, trustworthy and encouraging environment creates electricity that is indescribable.”
Name: Jack Huffard ’90
Major: Business Administration
City, State: McLean, Virginia
Current Position: President, COO and Co-Founder at Tenable Holdings, Inc.
What is your definition of entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is the active pursuit of a passion by building a self-sustaining business that improves the way we work or live.
What would you say are the top 3 skills that are needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Why?
- Communication – You will be constantly communicating your idea/mission to all of your stakeholders (customers, employees, and investors)
- Creativity – Every entrepreneur encounters issues that are not expected. Being able to be creative and adjust quickly can be the difference between success and failure.
- High EQ – Maintaining a high level of empathy for your customers, employees and investors will allow you to continually learn and build trust.
If you were talking to a fellow classmate who has never attended the upcoming Entrepreneurship Summit at W&L, what would you say to convince them to attend?
The combination of W&L students, faculty and alumni all focused and sharing entrepreneurial ventures and ideas in a safe, trustworthy and encouraging environment creates electricity that is indescribable. If you are just curious about the entrepreneurial journey, interested in how to make the leap or in the middle of growing your current business, you will walk away with actionable insights.
What have you personally experienced at the Entrepreneurship Summit that has benefited you professionally?
I have built some fantastic connections with students, alumni and faculty over the years at the Entrepreneurship Summit. I have hosted a few internships for students at Tenable and those experiences were mutually beneficial to our company and the student.
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Jack Huffard ’90 is one of two keynote speakers for the 2019 Entrepreneurship Summit, which will take place on campus Sept. 27-28.
For more information and to register, visit the Summit website.
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