#115 Kevin Kehoe | From entrepreneur to cancer survivor - lessons in doing extraordinary things

<p style="font-weight:400;">Kevin Kehoe is an entrepreneur and cancer survivor; co-founder of Aspire Software, and author of “One Hit Wonder - real life adventures of an average guy”. As the book highlights, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;"> </p> <p style="font-weight:400;">During 30 years of consultancy work in landscape management, construction in snow and ice, Kevin saw a need for new software in these industries – current software lacked the ability to give the contractor everyday insight. He co-founded Aspire Software.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Kevin explains 3 tips he would give someone about to start up a business:</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">1)      People – the team you are going into business with are the most important – it’s essentially like a marriage – choose wisely!</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">2)      Capital – most people underestimate how much they need.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">3)      Hours – don’t underestimate how much time setting up a business will take, and the impact this will have on your family etc.</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">How would you cope with starting a business and then almost immediately going through a traumatic life event (in Kevin’s case, incurable cancer)? “Cancer is a brutal unforgiving disease – just when you think you’ve made progress, it kicks you back in the teeth.”</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Has having cancer changed your perspective on life and business? “It’s turned me into a hugger – I tell people I love them!”</p> <p style="font-weight:400;">Kevin explains his perspective on resilience – “From a business angle, resilience is everything, especially in relation to start-ups. It is essential, especially early on. If you get the plumbing and wiring right at the beginning – the right people, the right service model etc., you don’t have to tear down the house further down the line.” Resilience can be about taking things a day at a time, which is something you really learn, living with cancer. It’