Eurie Kim WG09

37; general partner, Forerunner Ventures; launched an artisanal leather-goods brand and served on the founding team of a European luxury brand incubator

Best advice you’ve been given? Be ready. My father used to always say that to me growing up, and I didn’t know what he meant for the longest time. But now I get it—to capitalize on any opportunity in life, you always have to be ready. You don’t know when that big moment will come, and you can’t hope for second chances. You have to pay attention, be prepared, stay hungry, and be quick to seize any opportunity that comes your way.

Toughest obstacle you’ve overcome? There have been many challenging moments in my life, but without them, I would not be where I am today. So whether it was when the first startup I joined failed (or the second startup, or the third), or when my father passed away after I graduated from Wharton, or, now, taking care of my first baby—a wonderful daughter named Izzy—an all-encompassing career, and my mom, who’s battling cancer, I still consider myself extremely lucky. I’ve been fortunate to have so many supportive people in my life who have taught me that with every obstacle is an opportunity.