Every entrepreneur is driven to execute on a dream, an idea, a solution for a problem they have or something they want. That person is his most authentic self in this pursuit. There will be many more “agony of defeat” moments than even itty-bitty thrills, but you can’t imagine doing anything else. Somehow each becomes a valued battle scar that allows for a deep connection that only another entrepreneur can understand. We need to know we are not alone.

The shared pain of the realities of entrepreneurship is what drives the great ecosystems to grow and ultimately flourish. Success isn’t measured in the number of events or a new record for the multiple on a recent return on investment. At the end of the day, the goal is a support system strong enough that a business failure isn’t blamed on location.

All the advice from our friends in booming tech communities won’t help if we don’t have A-level people who care and are here for the long haul. Studying best practices in a vacuum doesn’t move the needle. Those looking simply to replicate best practices will never lead us to outpace our market rivals — we will always be catching up. We need to throw the gauntlet and forge a new path and innovate for ourselves! Dare I say it? We must be disruptive innovators and be entrepreneurial in our approach to rebranding Miami as the tech hub of the hemisphere. Then we can host other cities coming to study what we did. In January more than 20 tech founders will be moving to Miami. Next year let’s make it 200.

Susan Amat is the co-founder of The Launch Pad at the University of Miami and the founder of Launch Pad Tech. Follow her on Twitter at @susanamat.