Billy Boyle Blog

When I was a student I remember reading Boethius (I think in a bid to avoid doing the engineering work I was suppose to be doing). He was a 6th century Roman philosopher, whose concept of the Wheel of Fortune (not the TV show) has really stuck with me as compelling metaphor for the unpredictable world of start-ups.

Boethius’ Wheel of Fortune symbolizes the capricious nature of luck and fortune. At the wheel’s helm is the goddess Fortuna, who spins the wheel at random, changing the positions of those on it: some are elevated to success, while others are brought down to failure. This ancient concept plays out when you read the latest news in Pitchbook or Wired, where fortunes can change rapidly, and both success and failure are part and parcel of the journey – one moment, basking in the success of a new product launch or a significant funding round – then a crisis, a sudden market shift, or a product failure.

However, Boethius’ philosophy isn’t just about acknowledging the unpredictability of life—it’s also about how we respond to it. Boethius argued that true happiness comes from within and is not affected by external circumstances. This perspective can be incredibly empowering for entrepreneurs. It encourages them to maintain equanimity in the face of both success and failure, to stay grounded during highs and not be disheartened during lows. Focusing on the vision and mission of the company, rather than getting swept up in the momentary successes or failures – building resilience and adaptability, two key traits that can help start-ups weather the inevitable storms they will face.

Boethius’ philosophy also encourages a long-term perspective. The Wheel of Fortune keeps turning, which means that even if you’re at the bottom now, things can always change for the better – understanding that failure is often a stepping stone to success (sadly it didn’t end so well for poor Boethius He was tortured and executed in 524).

He also made it into one of my all time favourite movies – 24 Hour Party People…..