Last month, we were surprised (or not?!) to find that we all had eerily similar Meyers-Briggs personality types.  But on our team retreat to Shelter Island this week, we discovered we had even more in common!

Fondness for FIFO

It didn’t take long to realize we share a fondness for FIFO.  As Wikipedia explains, FIFO stands for First In, First Out, “an abstraction in ways of organizing and manipulation of data relative to time and prioritization.”  Now, preparing a meal with Art is awesome, but preparing a meal with a team of FIFO All-stars is even better!  In accordance with the credo, we queued tasks seamlessly, self-selecting for skill level and completing each task in its entirety, including cleanup, before beginning another.  For a First-in, First-outer, lending a hand is not just about generosity, it’s an instinct.  Turns out Tipping Point can’t have too many chefs in the kitchen!

The Knack for Falling

Later in the day, the incredible Paddle Diva, Gina Bradley gave us our first Stand-Up Paddleboarding lesson in Gardiners Bay.  It was the perfect group activity; we could paddle together but separately, all in one direction but each at our own speed.  More than any of these things though, what we enjoyed most was falling.  Art was the earliest proponent of “Fall-Down Paddleboarding,” but it was Brad who really made tipping-over tempting.  He dared me to edge forward on my board, to test the physics, to cease trying not to fall.  Giving in was a powerful reminder that falling can be exhilarating and even self-indulgent.  A reminder that fear of failure is a fun-kill.  That it is paddling, not balance, that moves you forward, and as Buddha once said, “the foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.”

What a great experience on the perfect summer day.  There were so many memorable moments; I guess that’s why they call it a “re-treat.”

Tia Ba started working for my family 7 years ago and for Tipping Point since the day we started the business in 2005.  Tia has now decided to change her perspective by moving 20 feet down the hall to a wonderful opportunity at Rapid Ratings, a Tipping Point portfolio company that Tia has helped nurture in the financial administration role for over a year.

6 years ago, I met Christine Brown and wanted to work with her. 4 years later I finally got my wish. Now, she’s moving 3,000 miles away to follow love and theater. Both Andy and the Seattle theater scene are very fortunate.

Tia and Christine have been intrinsic elements of Tipping Point’s growth and development, supporting our clients, portfolio companies, our team and me with dedication and joie de vivre. Neither Tipping Point nor I would be where we are today without you. Thank you.

Additions: I am very pleased to announce the following additions to Tipping Point Partners:

Aliza Pearlson (pronounced a-lee’-za) (aliza@tippingpointpartners.com) started this week as the “new Christine” and will be developing a very ambitious Tipping Point events calendar, starting off with activities in support of our new incubator, which will launch July 15. Aliza comes to us via stints at Hermès, Penguin/Perry Ellis and Columbia University Press. Aliza grew up in Florida and graduated from Barnard.

Kara Martin (kara@tippingpointpartners.com) started a couple weeks ago as Tipping Point’s Controller, working with Tipping Point’s CFO, Stan Lau. Kara will help Stan further professionalize Tipping Point’s financial management capabilities for our clients, portfolio companies, and our own operations. Kara is a CPA and certified Pilates instructor who comes to us via HBO, CBS/Viacom, Insound and FTI. Kara grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from UMass, Amherst.