ABC’s for First-Time Entrepreneurs
May 5, 2009 at 4:10 pm 2 comments
I’m thinking about tomorrow’s event at Fox School of Business (Temple University) – Where are the Women Entrepreneurs? I’ll be on the first panel and will doubtless be expected to come up with some sage advice for the young women there.
Since this is an academic environment, I’m thinking ABC, so here’s a sneak peek:
A – Admit you’re a beginner.
This one has always served me well since there are so few things I really know how to do. At least I’m always willing to try. This should explain why my lifetime highest bowling score is way lower than President Obama’s lowest one.
B – Be willing to learn from anyone who is willing to teach you.
This goes double if you are conventionally smart. Other people are just as smart but in their own way and you will be amazed at what they know that you never even thought of.
C – Communicate to everyone who you think can help you.
Even if they can’t, they may know someone who can. And if they don’t, you’ve put your needs out to the Universe.
Maybe in a few more years I’ll learn enough to go from D to Z…
Entry filed under: Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Human Potential, Innovation. Tags: Barack Obama, entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, motivation, women.
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1.
Amber Aureden | May 6, 2009 at 9:54 am
I’m HERE!! (Actually I’m still studying in France finishing my Spring semester, but I’ll be back in Philly next week!) I’m a young WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR studying at Temple – and I’m extremely disappointed that I was not be able to come to the discussion today. I’ve got “A” and “C” down…but I’m doing the best I can with “B” – where does an entrepreneur go for mentoring or advice when there’s no one able to teach you (at least locally) what you want to learn? It gets expensive to travel and get training elsewhere especially when you’re already paying your way through college.
2.
drjanice | May 8, 2009 at 7:53 am
Amber, this is a wonderful question for which I have no real answer. It is our failing as the older generation that we have led the younger generation to believe that we have all the answers. In fact, there are questions that haven’t been asked yet, and so the answers may not exist yet. This is your world to explore – the answers are someplace.
I’ve come to see our job as that of holding the candles that light your way and then handing those candles over so you can go farther than we were able to.
Often, there is more to be learned from the questions than from the answers. In learning to ask the right ones, you truly gain from your education.