Words from the CEO: The Beginning- Applying Solar

Where to begin? Perhaps it is appropriate to simply begin at the beginning as this kicks off my first official blog journal as CEO.

To provide some context: SolarX|Works is a young applied solar startup with a passion for harvesting the power of the sun to enable interesting and relevant solutions and although I have been Chief Executive Officer (and, along with the other founders; Janitor, Whiteboard Doodler, Stuff Hauler, Therapist, Patient, Wrench Turner … and just about everything else as required) for several years and probably should have been blogging all along, the timing just wasn’t right.

SolarX|Works has been operating quietly, building momentum, refining the concept of “applied solar” (which I will unpack a bit later) and designing, fabricating and testing our solutions. We are now truly at the stage to expand the conversation.

There is an anecdote about Albert Einstein which (true or not) resonates here

Dr. Frank Aydelotte, the then President of Swarthmore College once invited Einstein as the guest of honor at a dinner. When he was called upon to speak, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry but I’ve nothing to say.” The brief speech didn’t go well with the guests. Noticing this he arose again and added, “In case I do have something to say, I’ll come back.”

Six months later he wired Dr. Aydelotte, “Now I have something to say.” Dr. Aydelotte promptly gave another dinner at which Einstein made his speech.

And now… well … now we at SolarX|Works have something to say.

Over the coming weeks I will endeavor to share our incredible journey and some of our insights with you. You will have to forgive me if my tone is both conversational and intimate as opposed to corporate and remote. We choose a culture that celebrates service, relationships, intimacy, transparency, accountability and fun. Every once in a while, I will throw a buzzword in by mistake (like “unpack”).

Blake Barthelmess
CEO