Meet LaunchHouse member, Jeff Bargiel. When Jeff’s not home raising his chickens he’s busy developing termite spit. Yes, you heard that right! Jeff is the founder and CEO of EntoBio. EntoBio is developing “imitation termite spit” to naturally accelerate the decomposition of tree stumps and help control invasive trees and shrubs.
We know you’re interested, so keep on reading to learn more about Jeff’s entrepreneurial adventure!
What inspired you to start (or join) this company?
Biomimicry teaches the thought experiment, “How does nature solve this?” I have stumps and invasive shrubs in my yard and wanted a natural, cheaper, and faster way to get rid of them than chemicals, grinders, or doing nothing.
What inspired you to join the LaunchHouse community?
My dog wanted me out of the house. Once at LaunchHouse, I found that it was a multiplier. Everything went faster, smoother, and better for my business. If I was stuck or needed advice, I could turn for immediate feedback from my fellow entrepreneurs, and I return the favor.
Did you always have aspirations to become an entrepreneur? Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.
No. It came in a series of revelations. First, as an engineering intern, I watched as my employer, a large automotive supplier, was mismanaged almost into the ground and I knew that I didn’t want to work in an “old boys’ club.” After graduation, I worked at a “startup” with some really cool lasers but they couldn’t figure out an application after seven years. So, I came to CWRU for their Master of Science in Physics Entrepreneurship Program. I thought I would work for a startup but not that I would want to start my own. The startups that I worked for were flawed in the Greek tragedy sense. So, like every entrepreneur, I thought, “I can do it better.” And, started scouting for niche problems that could be solved with technology sitting in universities.
The best advice you ever got:
“Don’t follow your passion, but bring it with you.” –Mike Rowe
What has been your biggest learning experience from starting your business?
Communicate in plain language. (Book recommendation, “Everybody Writes” by Ann Handley)
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest one to fool.” –Richard Feynman
In entrepreneurship, talk to your customers early and often. Are you really solving a pain? A few early phone calls are a lot cheaper than years of solving a non-existent problem.
How do you define success?
Discovery is success.