Dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur
Have you been dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur for some time, but you weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you thought about going back to school to take a few classes or getting an MBA? Have you thought about maybe working for a small business owner to learn how to run a business? Maybe you thought about just opening up an eCommerce site and seeing what happens. The truth is there is no ‘right’ way to become a business owner.
Learning on the job
I know a couple of business owners who never wanted to own a business. One of them worked for a business owner who wanted to retire and offered the company to him. He was given the tough choice of find another job or take over the company. I remember when my friend told me his story. He owns a successful accounting business and told me that he never was dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur. I was shocked to hear this and didn’t understand how this could be possible. He explained that his boss wanted to retire and sell the business to him. He was reluctant at first. It took some time and negotiation to make it work. Fortunately it worked out for both of them.
Where do I start?
I always wanted a business, but never knew how to get started. I read books, took classes, thought about getting an MBA, thought about working for a small business owner that I could learn from, but kept making excuses. Then one day, I ran out of excuses. The timing felt right. I decided I needed to do something, anything, even if it didn’t work and I dove in head first and bought into a franchise business model. It wasn’t easy, but I made it work and it was a lot of fun. I still say opening my first business was the best decision I ever made. It set me on a path of personal growth and entrepreneurship.
Traditional Business School
Because I was dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur, I thought I should get an MBA. I explored a couple of programs and talked to friends who were getting them. Ultimately, I decided that traditional business education doesn’t really teach you to be a business owner. It teaches you how to get another job. Most people get MBAs because they want to make a career transition. I didn’t want another job, I wanted my own business.
Finding a mentor
There were a couple of business owners that I wanted to learn from and I think it would have been a good idea to ask them for a job, any job, just to learn about entrepreneurship, but I didn’t go that route. I had previously worked with a very successful entrepreneur. I considered going to work for him and just trying to learn what I could from him. It would have involved a very long commute and I decided not to pursue it. Though, I still think it can be a good way to learn.
What I really needed
When I was getting started, I didn’t really see any good options for business education. I wanted something similar to a formal education, but more focused on entrepreneurship. An education that would teach you everything you need to know, but also guide you through the process of doing it. A hybrid system that never really existed before. However, I think I have found the system that I needed all along.
The Entre Institute founded by Jeff Lerner is challenging traditional education. It’s helping people of all ages and walks of life to realize their dreams of owning their own business by teaching them about entrepreneurship and guiding them through the process. I’m excited to be a part of it and I think you will love it too.
