Guy Kawasaki	The Week of February 5th, 2006

Renaissance Man

1. What’s in your wallet right now?

Enough for me to have a wonderful life, but less than what's in Bill Gates's car's ash tray. That plus a United Airlines Red Carpet Club card because I am always flying.

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

I have to say that they gave me a very complete education about money. They probably taught me better than I am teaching my children.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

I spend too much on hockey stuff: equipment, league fees, camps, tickets, you name it.

4. What makes you happy?

Buying hockey stuff.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

If I were a quarterback, I would keep track of touchdowns. I am a businessperson, so money is how you keep score. Money doesn't control me. I'm very happy to give it away. It's just how to keep score.

6. Where does money come from?

In my case, my mantra is "empower entrepreneurs," so I hope money comes from empowering entrepreneurs to change the world.

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

I'd buy 529s [college savings plans] for all my kids.

8. What is your most prized possession?

I really don't have any in the sense that you mean. You could take everything away from me, and I'd be fine. All I really care about is my family and my health.

9. Who is your role model?

I really don't have one. Isn't that pathetic? I travel to my own drumbeat with the help and love of my wife.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

Raising three, and soon to be four, children. Children are the ultimate startup.

11. What are you up to these days?

Investing as a venture capitalist, writing a blog, and speaking about seventy-five times a year.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I want to do two things in my life: 1) be a great father and husband; and 2) help entrepreneurs change the world.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

Is this where the beauty contestant is supposed to say, "World peace"? It's not that I have everything every person would want. It is that I have everything I want. My theory is that if you're fundamentally a joyous person, then buying more stuff can add a little happiness here and there but cannot really change you. And if you're fundamentally not a joyous person, nothing you buy can change that.

14. Favorite activity that doesn’t cost a dime?

Blogging. I love to blog. I was born to blog.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

I buy a new digital camera at least once a year. I love digital photography.

Guy Kawasaki is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm and a columnist for Forbes.com. Previously, he was an Apple Fellow at Apple Computer, Inc. where he was one of the individuals responsible for the success of the Macintosh computer.

Guy is the author of eight books including The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. He has a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.

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