T’was the night before disruption … A startup Christmas poem

December 22, 2016  |  Bobby Burch

gork0bacw2i-aaron-burden

fire warm fireplace cozy

With inspiration from Clement Clarke Moore’s classic A Visit from St. Nicholas, Startland News wanted to take a creative crack at wishing our readers a merry Christmas and happy holidays. Hope you enjoy 🙂


 T’was the night before Christmas when all through the land,
Not a founder was sleeping, for at work they still stand.

Their laptops of silver did twinkle and gleam.
And on gizmos and gadgets they continued to dream.

Red-eyed they remained and alert in their lair
In hopes that disruption would soon be found there.

They scoured the market to find just the right fit
With the maxim “fail fast,” the duds they’d omit.

But the creators were restless with inspiration remote
More time to researching, they’d surely devote

“The investors stopped calling,” I said to my friend.
“Perhaps a bold pivot!” she replied with a grin.

Distraught and downhearted, I slunk in my chair.
“What can we concoct for the masses to care?”

And then in an instant, with speeds near gigabit,
I heard a thunderous crash like the roof had been split!

At once I turned round to my screen on the right
And before me stood Santa made of bits and of bytes.

“What here is the problem?” he chortled with glee.
“Our startup is flailing!” and he seemed to agree.

“We tried tweaking this and we shifted to that.”
I gasped in frustration, then he showed me his hat.

“Take a look at my cap — this advice you should heed.
It’s simple yet useful and fulfills a great need!

“Your pursuits are noble and aim for everyone,
But a product so broad is really tailored to none.”

Like a big bag of bricks his note arrived with a smack!
“A narrower focus will get us on the right track!”

Pixelated and plump, his cheeks rosy with cheer,
Santa whistled to summon his team of reindeer.

But I heard him exclaim when they left quite abrupt
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all who disrupt!”

South Park moon santa reindeer sleigh

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2016 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Best-selling tea towel maker’s business model hangs by this thread: ‘the more I give back, the more I’ll succeed’

        By Tommy Felts | January 17, 2025

        ​​Elene Banks, founder of Kansas City-based Absorb-Lumen, turned her boutique clothing store into a mission-driven business that puts eco-friendly kitchen essentials in the spotlight, all while giving back to the community through a charitable business model. “It was a happy accident,” Banks said, “We started a boutique online and tried to carry tea towels from…

        Developers plan to transform historic UMKC building into boutique hotel, spa

        By Tommy Felts | January 17, 2025

        Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to view the original article. A local group comprised of Sunflower Development Group and hospitality veteran Jen Gulvik has secured permission to proceed with a historic redevelopment project involving one of Kansas City’s most beloved assets: the Epperson House at…

        TikTok ban would mean an ‘astronomical’ change for these Kansas City content creators

        By Tommy Felts | January 16, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Video creators around Kansas City are concerned about their livelihoods and Congress’ ability to limit free speech if the Supreme Court…

        Acting camp to cast: Lifetime movie filmed in KC gives young actors their TV dream moment 

        By Tommy Felts | January 16, 2025

        A Lifetime movie debuting this weekend not only shines a spotlight on Kansas City, said Elaina Paige Thomas, but it showcases talent at The Next Paige, Kansas City’s first Black-owned talent management agency. “Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story” — set to premiere Saturday, Jan. 18 — was filmed this fall in various…