ou might see people in powerful positions, and when you ask about their job title, “entrepreneur” is what you hear back. This is kind of a multi-purpose or broad term that means someone who owns or operates businesses. For instance, you might be a music mogul and describe yourself using this word.
Maybe you want to have this sort of profession more than anything else. Taking financial risks is also part of entrepreneurship, so you’d better be ready for that. If you’re willing to take on that aspect of it, there’s nothing to say you can’t accomplish your goal.
It’s not going to be easy, and you’ll need help along the way. Here are some steps you can take that should get you to where you want to be.
Go to College
Some individuals might not like hearing this, but going to college is probably the best first step you might take if you want to be an entrepreneur. It’s true that some people who go by this term never went to college, but they’re in the minority.
It’s smart to get a degree that can help you toward entrepreneurship. For instance, a business degree would make sense because you’ll need business savvy if you’re going to succeed in this endeavor.
If you get a degree in something like social sciences or the arts, it’s not inconceivable that you couldn’t still become an entrepreneur, but it’s not as likely. Any degree that can give you an edge in the business world will serve you best.
Time for an Honest Skill Set Evaluation
While you’re in school, evaluate your skill set. What can you do well? Are there any weak areas?
If you see possible improvement areas, list them. Study that list, then try to overcome those limitations.
For instance, if you’re not good at public speaking, take an improv class or do some standup comedy. Whatever you can do to get comfortable talking in front of people, do that, since this is a skill that every entrepreneur unquestionably needs.
Come Up with a Business Idea
If you don’t have a viable business idea, you’ll never make it in this profession. You need to develop a business model that works, so wrack your brain and write down some of the most likely concepts.
Then, research your competitors. Is this a completely fresh idea? If it’s not, and someone has done something like it before, don’t let that discourage you. You’ll just have to do it better than the competition.
Think about who is already selling what you plan to sell. How much are they charging for it? Will you want to come in at a lower price point or a higher one?
You’ll also want to seek out industry professionals with whom you can speak. You have to bounce your ideas off them because they will be honest, while your family members may not be. They don’t want to hurt your feelings.
Make a Concrete Plan
Once you’ve narrowed down your idea list to the one you feel has the best success chance, you’re ready to flesh out your plan’s details. Making a business plan is definitely something an entrepreneur needs to know how to do.
You can often find business plan templates online. Think about details like how much everything will cost, then start thinking about the money’s source. You will most likely need to approach a bank or credit union at some point unless you have a wealthy relative or nest egg you can use.
Find a Mentor
At this point, you’ll want to find a mentor within the industry in which you have an interest. Think about the person you most admire. Is there any way you can reach out to them that will impress them?
It might not be easy to get in the same room with them, but you must figure out how to do it so you can pick their brain. It will be a lot harder to make a go of it on your own.
If you can gain access to them, ask them out for a meal, and be ready to pitch your ideas to see what they’ll say. If you can’t get that, ask for fifteen minutes of their time, at their convenience.
It will be hard to break into any industry if you don’t have a strong support network. Once you have someone backing you, emotionally, if not necessarily financially, that can be tremendously helpful.