Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have come up with a lot of ideas and business concepts and i have a friend/business partner that backs me 100% but i don`t know if my lack of actual experience will hurt my chances for starting a successful business.  What should i do? My connections are few but i have a strong desire to make it work.  I am also at a loss for what exactly i should do, i have thought about a mobile car care service, mobile car wash service, a moving company, and a errand/concierge service among others.  Currently i do some lawn care on the side.  Where should i turn? My dad gives me great advice, he has a MBA and he runs a lumber company but he doesn`t own it. He says i should wait to finish school and work for somebody else and then start my own business if i want. I personally am a little bull headed and i want to get into this thing, but i need help from someone who owns their own successful business.  What should i do, i am all ears.

Review what startup nation tells you in their step by step advice. Make a life plan and then if your business supports that follow it. It isn`t necessarily about the idea, but the execution.

There is nothing wrong with a college education and can add to your credentials later in life. Nobody can take your education away from you. I would say listen to your heart and sensible study of how you want to lead your life and if you think executing on your idea is more important than finishing your education. 2-4 years is not that long to wait. Continue to flesh out your ideas, get everything ready while you finish. Even if you don`t start your company you will have learned something and you will be further ahead then when you started.

Regards,
nGenuity Information Services.

Hi Chris Farley,

I must admit that I giggled when I noticed the name.  Thanks for that...a good laugh first thing in the morning. I love Chris Farley!

I agree with nGenuity. College can give you experiences and network of friends that will be helpful to your success. I am a college drop out. In fact, I tried many times to get back into it and get that degree. Never made it.  However, every time I got back into it, I learned something new.

I admire people who make the big chunks of salary working for a good company. But I like my freedom better. So I understand where you are coming from.  My point is, ( I know I am starting to sound like a flip-flopper) education is important to your success. 

Although I stopped going to college, I kept up my education on my own.  Considering the many times I went in and out of college-I would say it still adds up to probably 4-5 years of being in "school." Stay in it, observe your growth, and you will find what you will be good at. Then when you will know the right time to start your dreams of being an entrepreneur.

Opportunity will present itself to you and it`s better that you got the right education to follow through with it.

LT





 


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http://www.face2facevideocard.com
"videos can say it like it is"
09-21-2007

www.senatinproperties.com
real estate investments

nGenuity... First, I completely agree with you.

At the same time, I contemplated starting a business while in college too. I was advised by my teacher (an educator which I truly respected) to wait until college was finished. Looking back, I believe his advice was appropriate due to the fact it takes a lot of time to properly run a business. Also, people always think they are prepared for the `next step` but often we learn we are not as prepared as we think.

I would give the same advice my educator gave... wait until your classes are complete. Concentrate on them (the classes) while you prepare documentation, prep your website, make a list of contacts which can help propel your new business. You would be surprised how many people you meet in college that will become helpful if not necessary to run your new business effectively.

With that said, you will have have to make you own judgment about starting your business now. There are specific situations which make it evident that running a new business is more fulfilling than college.

All in all, it IS a tough decision. I do suggest that finishing college may be more important in the long run. ...and I am the guy who has used very little of my college education directly. At the same time, I have met wonderful partnership opportunities due to my college attendance.

Tough question to give truly helpful answers, without fully understanding your specific situation. Good luck.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

I would look into internet businesses as well.  Despite what some believe, this internet "thing" is just getting started and I personally would give just about anything to be in college again with the opportunities that are all over the place on the web.

Starting out now and learning the ropes, business models, and how to drive traffic to a site would set you up for life.


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Jack Humphrey, CEO Universal Marketing and Management, Inc.
Link Building Blog
NetSmart Media
Authority Sites

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Michael A. Silva
Silva Consultants

www.silvaconsultants.com

Thanks everybody for your input and really appreciate it.

Something interesting I stumbled upon and made me think of you:
"20 Something Business Trend:  High School Graduate"


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Jack Humphrey, CEO Universal Marketing and Management, Inc.
Link Building Blog
NetSmart Media
Authority Sites