Favorite Parts of Being a CEO at Ivy Flip
Charles's enjoyment stems from a deeply personal connection to work, viewing "labor as an extension of yourself," and finding fulfillment in "organizing people in pursuit of a single mission." This is coupled with the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship, allowing Charles to "enjoy life now" while tackling "new challenges on the horizon" that constantly engage their intellect.
Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Organizational Skills, Creativity, Work-Life Balance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Charles Chy
CEO
Ivy Flip
University of Pittsburgh
n/a
Philosophy
Technology
Business Strategy
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Charles's entrepreneurial journey stemmed from his college philosophy studies, particularly his interpretation of Marx's ideas on labor and alienation. He found fulfillment in organizing people towards a shared mission, viewing it as a form of creation.
2. Charles emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and finding joy in the present, rather than solely focusing on future rewards. His experience living in Mexico during the pandemic underscored this perspective, promoting a healthier approach to his career.
3. Charles highlights the appeal of continuous challenges and problem-solving in his role. He thrives on open-ended tasks and independent decision-making, demonstrating a preference for dynamic work over routine processes. This highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and drive that defines his work ethic.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
This is a deeper question for me, about why I got into entrepreneurship in the first place. When I was in college, I was a philosophy undergrad and I read a lot of Marx. I would say I was a Marxist in some sense.
If you read Marx, you might wonder why I would become an entrepreneur, given how capitalistic it is. But what resonated with me was his idea that labor is an extension of yourself. Capitalism is bad because it alienates people from the fruits of their labor.
There's something inside of you that you bring out into the world when you labor on something. A bird can build a nest, a beaver can build a dam. Human beings can create things not just for utility, but for aesthetic or creative reasons. I thought a lot about that.
I'm not very good at creating things. Ask me to paint a picture, make a pot, or sew something, and I'm useless. But I thought the thing I could be good at was organizing people in pursuit of a single mission, building by bringing people together or orchestrating them. I thought that would be a way for me to create.
Life is short, and we spend so much of our time doing things we don't want to do, not enjoying our days or lives with the idea that we'll retire and enjoy them then. That's a mentality I've fallen victim to many times. After 10 years of being an entrepreneur, I've learned it's important to stop and smell the roses.
During the pandemic, I lived in Mexico for about a year and a half. That really opened my eyes to the idea that I can just enjoy my life now. I don't need a multi-million dollar exit to feel good about myself and finally start enjoying my life. There's an opportunity to do that every day.
It's easier for me to do that as my own boss, without someone limiting my time off or dictating my work hours. So, having more freedom and flexibility is important.
The final thing is that I don't like being told what to do. I like open-ended questions, where it's not just about following the same process day in and day out. I want a new challenge on the horizon that needs to be figured out, and no one is there to give you the answers. I think that's what motivates me about the work we're doing. It's fun, engaging, and keeps you on your toes.