I think that initial independence is very important; that's what

"I think that initial independence is very important; that's what being an entrepreneur is all about." – Jon Oringer

Listen, O seekers of creation, to the words of Jon Oringer, the founder of Shutterstock and one of the pioneers of the digital age, for in his reflection lies a truth as old as civilization itself. He speaks of the sacred moment of initial independence — that first, fragile spark when a man or woman steps away from the familiar path and dares to walk alone. This is the essence of the entrepreneur, not merely one who builds businesses, but one who builds realities from the unseen — who replaces certainty with vision, and comfort with courage.

The meaning of Oringer’s words reaches far beyond commerce. When he says that independence is what being an entrepreneur is all about, he speaks of the spirit that lives in every creator, inventor, and pioneer who has ever broken away from the crowd. Initial independence is the moment of birth for all great endeavors. It is the act of standing apart from the chorus of doubt, declaring, “I will build this with my own hands.” It is not the final victory that defines the entrepreneur, but this first, trembling step — the decision to begin without permission, to trust one’s own mind as guide and compass.

Throughout history, every movement of progress began with such independence. Think of Thomas Edison, who in his dimly lit workshop spent sleepless nights testing filaments for his light bulb while others mocked his persistence. Or Madam C.J. Walker, born into poverty, who through faith in her vision became one of the first self-made millionaires in America. None waited for blessing or guarantee; they relied on the strength of their own conviction. Their independence was not merely financial — it was intellectual, spiritual, and moral. They trusted themselves when no one else would, and that trust lit the world.

Oringer’s own story mirrors this path. Before Shutterstock became a global marketplace of creativity, he began alone, taking thousands of photographs himself, writing the code for the platform, and building the business from his apartment. There was no vast company behind him — only the independence to begin, the courage to persist, and the vision to believe that what he was making would one day matter. This is the true meaning of entrepreneurship: to build not because the world asks you to, but because your spirit cannot rest until it does.

Yet, the ancients teach us that independence is both freedom and trial. It demands perseverance in the face of uncertainty. To be independent is to walk through the desert before reaching the oasis, to face rejection before recognition. The entrepreneur, like the explorer or philosopher, must endure solitude — for it is in solitude that conviction is tested and refined. Those who fear isolation can never bring forth something new; those who embrace it become the architects of destiny.

But this independence is not meant to last forever in isolation. As Oringer’s words remind us, the initial independence is the seed — the beginning of creation. Once the seed takes root, it must reach outward, drawing nourishment from others. The true entrepreneur learns when to stand alone and when to build together, when to guard their vision and when to let it grow in the hands of others. The strength of the beginning gives way to the wisdom of collaboration, and from that balance, entire worlds are born.

Therefore, take this lesson to heart, O listener: if you would create something lasting, begin first by claiming your independence. Do not wait for approval, for none will come until you prove yourself. Trust in the quiet power of your own will, for that is the divine spark from which all innovation flows. But once your vision stands firm, open your hands to others, as every tree must share its shade. For independence is the soil from which greatness grows — but interdependence, when earned, is the garden that sustains it.

So let your life echo the wisdom of Jon Oringer: honor the first moment of courage when you step into the unknown. That moment, fragile though it seems, is the foundation of empires, the heartbeat of discovery, and the beginning of every revolution that has ever changed the world.