Today was officially my last day at Izea. I’ve intentionally kept quiet until this point simply because while I was still employed by the company I didn’t want to step on anyone else’s toes in announcing anything. Ted’s been incredibly childish about the whole thing, giving me the silent treatment for the past two weeks so I guess no-one’s going to make an ‘official’ announcement and I’m good to go.
There were a myriad of things that led to my decision but the overriding one was my “selfish” need to put my family first. I canceled moving house twice because of Izea. Saying goodbye as my daughter prepared to board a flight back to England I had to take 5 phone calls despite my protests that there was absolutely no way I could do anything for Izea that particular afternoon. On Father’s day my kids took me out to treat me and ten minutes after arriving at our destination a phone call from Ted forced me back in the car and home in front of a computer for the rest of the day. “Sorry kids, Daddy has to go to work again” will only cut it for so long.
When I resigned I spent the day wandering around the office close to tears. I was leaving behind a lot of good memories and products that I’d poured my heart and soul into. I made my decision because it was absolutely the right thing to do for my family and I stuck to it. The weeks that followed though showed me an extremely dark and uncaring side to the company and any remorse soon gave way to a firm realization that my decision was the right one on so many more levels than just my family.
There are a lot of really good people at Izea and I wish them all well.
So long Izea, and thanks for all the fish.
Good for you! I have worked for companies like that. You don’t really realize what they really think about you, how much they really care about you, until you tell them to shove it or something similar. I was making as shitload of money, but so what, at the end of the day I had no life, and when I wanted to have a life was too damn tired to do anything. So, I started freelancing and even though I make way less money, I couldn’t have been happier!
Good luck with your future plans!
Comment by Rafal — November 28, 2008 @ 6:48 pm |
Thanks Rafal. You’re absolutely right of course
Good luck with Flame360.
Comment by pwrighta — November 28, 2008 @ 7:08 pm |
Sounds like a smart move Pete. I was always amazed watching rockstartup at the amount of pressure you guys were put under. It didn’t seem to sit very well with a healthy work/home life balance.
Hopefully your next job wont be so stressy/unresonable.
Comment by Andy Tyrrell — November 28, 2008 @ 7:53 pm |
Best of luck in all your future endeavors. Enough is enough, and you passed enough long ago.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Comment by DarcKnyt — November 28, 2008 @ 8:38 pm |
You have to do what’s best for you, and the sheer amount of time being poured into Izea over the last several years just couldn’t have been healthy. I think you made a good decision. Best of luck Pete
Comment by Jennifer — November 28, 2008 @ 9:47 pm |
I’m sorry to hear that things turned sour in your last weeks. That’s always hard on everyone involved. You need to do what’s right for you and your family and it sounds like you did exactly that. I know you worked really hard on a lot of the project roll outs and your dedication always showed through in your presentation. I’m sure you’ll succeed at whatever you decide to do next
Comment by Loretta — November 28, 2008 @ 10:27 pm |
Hey Pete!
Your departure leaves me with mixed emotions. On one hand, your passion and technical leadership was a core driver for all the good IZEA has brought to people’s lives. On the other, family is worth making tough decisions like this. You’ve had a tougher balance to manage than many and you know best when that balance requires a new gig.
I remain blown away by everything the team created under your leadership, and wish you continued success and happiness!
Thanks Pete (the Pirate)!
Comment by Dan... — November 28, 2008 @ 11:19 pm |
Thanks a lot guys, and thanks in particular to you Dan. Hearing/reading that means a lot.
Comment by pwrighta — November 28, 2008 @ 11:21 pm |
Bummer Pete. It’s sad that it came to this and that it’s turned bitter. Seems like the good people are dropping from Izea like flies…
enjoy the free time you’ll regain!
Comment by Colleen — November 29, 2008 @ 12:49 am |
Pete my friend.
You already know my thoughts on this! You go and make a good life for yourself and your family. Remember happiness and health are both forms of wealth!
Brah I really hope to catch up with you soon.
Comment by Skimmer — November 29, 2008 @ 4:22 am |
I’m sorry to hear this Pete, but you need to do what truly makes you happy.
Comment by Julie — November 29, 2008 @ 2:37 pm |
Good luck, Pete. And what everyone else said about the choice between work and family.
Comment by Cass — November 29, 2008 @ 2:57 pm |
Pete, sorry to hear but probably for the best. I agree with Tiz, pressure ++. Look after yourself and good (job) hunting. Oh, and what Si said to. See you soon I hope. J sends her love
Comment by Russ — November 29, 2008 @ 3:34 pm |
Congratulations, I just went through a similar experience earlier this year. Good luck and keep us updated. Perhaps another book? How about one on Ruby? I still have your VB6 book from Wrox.
Comment by Joon — November 29, 2008 @ 4:47 pm |
Pete,
Sounds like you did the right thing. Life is too short to miss important family moments, and the pressure was always on you to make things work…yesterday.
Sorry to hear there’s been hard feelings. Perhaps a little perspective and time will lay those aside. In the meantime, enjoy your new gig (whatever it is).
BTW, it’s safe to follow me on Twitter now that the election is over.
Comment by Karoli — November 29, 2008 @ 10:45 pm |
1. Just let the phone ring next time. Really.
2. Never interrupt the call you’re on to take another, ever.
Setting those particular limits really will change your life for the better, even when you’re just sure it will ruin everything.
Comment by Steve B — November 30, 2008 @ 3:31 am |
Good For You!
You definately did the right thing. No one ever said before they passed away “if only i’d spent MORE hours at work…”
All The Best!
Paydex
Comment by Paydex — November 30, 2008 @ 6:54 am |
Hey Pete,
Sorry to see you leave Izea, but I’m sure you’ll continue to be your brilliant self wherever life ends up taking you. It sounds like you totally made the right choice for yourself and your family, and I wish you well in your future ventures.
Comment by Jade Rauenzahn — November 30, 2008 @ 3:13 pm |
Pete, it’s not easy to realise when you’re in the thick of it, but at the end of the day, your family must always come first. It’s a hard decision, but I think it will be a step in the right direction for you.
I wish you the best of luck in finding a new position. You are one of the reasons Izea have managed to deliver what they have and I’m sure you’ll be sorely missed.
Comment by owen — November 30, 2008 @ 6:51 pm |
The guys who try to make you feel bad because you’re leaving, are worth leaving.
Good luck – I’m sure it’ll be a positive change, and you’ll always have the memories of when it was working well.
Comment by Richard — December 1, 2008 @ 1:07 am |
I wish you nothing but the best, Pete! I always knew I could count on you for that extra push to get things moving and I will miss that. It’s always hard to make a distinction between your personal and professional obligations, but I agree with Paydex that you’ll never come to regret putting family first.
All the Best,
Carri
Comment by Carri — December 1, 2008 @ 12:19 pm |
Family first, no matter what.
You put in a tremendous amount of work at IZEA and I’m sure it is very painful to cut the ties – especially with hard feelings. Thanks for all you did for the Posties!
All the best Pete.
Comment by Heather in Beautiful BC — December 1, 2008 @ 6:47 pm |
Good luck on your next endeavor Pete, I hope it’s a big success. Family is the most important thing there is, you have to do what’s right for you.
Comment by Valerie (valmg) — December 1, 2008 @ 9:31 pm |
Good luck to you Pete. I’m sad to hear you are leaving IZEA but totally understand your decision. You were awesome to get things going and keeping things on track at IZEA. I, along with countless others, appreciated all your endless hours and dedication.
Comment by Karen — December 1, 2008 @ 11:55 pm |
I never got to meet you, but what I saw of you and heard of/from you, you sounded not only like a smart and dedicated worker, but a nice person all around. Family most definitely comes first. Enjoy your time with them, especially as your children are young. They grow up too quickly.
Comment by Connie — December 3, 2008 @ 4:15 am |
You will be missed. I’m sorry to hear that it went down like this. I had no idea, and I wish I could have done or said something during that time to help.
Comment by Priscilla — December 3, 2008 @ 2:09 pm |
We have to put ourselves and our family first…it’s a tough thing to come to realize sometimes. You were a huge piece of Izea, so I’m sure it was a difficult choice- but sometimes the hard choices are the right ones. Best of luck and continued success in whatever you choose to do.
Comment by Deb — December 4, 2008 @ 1:53 pm |
Like the old saying says “work to live, don’t live to work”. Sounds like you are well out of it and will be much happier not having to work under the scatter-gun approach of “serial entrepreneur” Mr Murphy.
Hope all goes well with the new job and remember – 9 to 5, Monday to Friday might be theirs but everything else is yours and you should enjoy it 110%
Comment by Wolfie — December 4, 2008 @ 3:57 pm |
God bless you, Pete. I understand what you mean, our kids are worth more than anything. It sounds like yours have a terrific dad.
You will be terribly missed at Izea, but not forgotten. Take care!
Comment by Mrs. Mecomber — December 5, 2008 @ 2:17 pm |
man i miss me some pete
Comment by dang@izea — December 10, 2008 @ 3:37 am |
Aww I miss you too
Thanks for all the wonderful comments guys – really means a lot.
Comment by pwrighta — December 10, 2008 @ 10:46 pm |
I’ll bet you and the kids had a pretty nice Christmas this year. Good for you. Have a great NEW life. Everything works out for the best in the end. Always
Comment by Lee — December 28, 2008 @ 10:52 am |
[...] My mate Pete leaves Izea: He’ll be missed, but family comes first [...]
Pingback by Bring on the honey | Ugh!!'s Greymatter Honeypot — January 2, 2009 @ 7:40 am |
Hey Pete,I’m sorry to hear that you left. I know, I’m late coming upon the news. Take care, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time with your family…and still waiting to see you quit smoking
Comment by marcus — January 8, 2009 @ 7:36 pm |
Hey Pete,
Somewhere along the way I missed your leaving and agree that an announcement would have been appropriate. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye. Our disagreements never centered around any lack of talent or skill on your part.
In retrospect they did hinge around process and procedure issues at Izea.
I’m writing this comment a few months after your departure, and I’m sure you have had a lot more time for retrospect. Having lived through a high flying start up myself and a messy departure, its not always easy to see the forest for the trees while you are in it or even while you are on your way out. Time heals old wounds when we learn from the lessons of the past. I suspect you are just now reaching the point where some of the blurry dots are starting to get connected.
I’m 3 years past my last start up and still learn new things about it every month (not quite every week or day now).
Regardless, I wish you all the success in the future, and please do consider the process and organizational structure aspect of this. Years back I used to work for Motorola (pre start up years) and we often times talked about trying to heal or avoid ‘hero culture’, or the reliance upon individual or groups of key employees.
Sometimes we step in to get something done, fix something at the last minute. We save the day, but its not because things went according to plan. When this becomes the norm rather than the exception, the organization sets itself up on a path towards a bigger problem, a critical mass of issues that are too big for a hero or heroes to overcome. Often times as well the hero or heroes get so worn down at a personal level that they just can’t save the day one more time, and in this case that definitely seems to ring true at the end.
There’s an argument to be made for taking a salary and being responsible and accountable for saving the day, but there is no redundancy, no safeguards, no strong foundation to be built on the type of organization that builds this type of team. It plays out well in the movies for short term projects but not in real life for a company that is in it for the long haul.
Best Regards,
Brett
Comment by brettbum — February 7, 2009 @ 2:44 pm |
Thanks Brett.
There’s so much I want to say here after that awesome, and well thought out comment, but I won’t. While I’m trying to move on I continue to be the subject of smearing from people inside the company, as well as online jabs and jibes aimed towards me and my family – in fact, it’s recently gotten to the point where I’ve cleaned out my Twitter followers for example and even locked my account down in an effort to stay as far removed from these people as possible. Same on Facebook, same on Linked in. This is a social networking age we live in, so I can’t simply go offline, so it’s a sad day indeed when I have to take other measures to basically stay away from the crap people are trying so hard to get me to hurl back.
With all that going on, it’s extremely hard for me to make any comment about the company as a whole since I’m getting more angry about certain aspects every single day.
Comment by pwrighta — February 7, 2009 @ 7:25 pm |