The genesis of this column was a decision 12 months ago to abandon a well-paid and well-respected corporate career to embark on a life in innovation.
It was the business world equivalent of selling up on Sydney's leafy North Shore and driving a kombi to Nimbin.
A year on, and as a measurer of milestones and lover of lists, it is timely that I pen five pearls of wisdom to pass on to the next poor sap looking to repeat my mistakes.
Firstly, if feedback is a gift, being able to accept it is a virtue.
Launching a start-up has taught me that anyone who has ever accessed the internet not only has their own aspiration for a unicorn, but also a firm idea on how to improve mine. And the art of taking folks "on the journey" is to listen patiently.
I once employed a young diplomat who, whenever I launched into a tirade about life and love, diligently took notes.
Years later I asked what he did with his note books. He discarded them. But, he pointed out, the act of taking notes was what convinced me he was interested. He had wisdom beyond his years.
Secondly, don't be bamboozled by language of technology.
Nothing complex about technology
The truth is innovation has made technology increasingly simple. Even a software simpleton (and I stand testament to this) can master the basics like Basecamp and Wordpress.
So, if a software developer is talking in a language you don't understand you can safely assume they are grossly inarticulate or charging like a wounded bull.
Thirdly, the most amazing talent can be found at home. Don't let diversity be a bumper sticker.
Commtract's achievements can largely be sheeted home to some amazing mothers who get paid far too little for their contribution because they require flexibility.
Here's hoping they are also too busy to read The Australian Financial Review.
Fourthly, celebrate the successes. Starting any business is incredibly intense and often it feels like the walls are closing in.
In six months of operation, we have close to a thousand people on the platform, and have more than 130 projects underway or complete right across Australia. Not bad from a standing start.
To quote Ferris Buller, life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
And finally, always play your best talent.
OK, this has nothing to do with Commtract or innovation.
But can anyone who hasn't sustained serious concussions in their playing career explain how Kevin Walters left Daly Cherry Evans out of the Queensland Origin team?
And now I can hear it. I've lost the crowd's attention. Time for me to hand over the soap box.
Peter McConnell ran corporate communications for Woolworths, until quitting last year to launch his own start-up. He serialises his adventures in the AFR.
