The Last Lecture

Entrepreneurship is a journey.  It is not something that can be achieved overnight, but rather something that takes a great amount of time and effort to accomplish.  But as I learned more about this journey, I have come to understand that without the risk there comes no reward. 

One thing I have struggled with (and continue to struggle with) is what I would choose to start as far as a new business or idea is concerned.  The $100 Challenge was a great experience to help my understanding the importance of choosing something you love or have a passion with.  The key is to have meaning in the journey.  Meaning that runs deeper than money.  There has to be a real and great reason for wanting to be an entrepreneur.  The hope to help others’ lives become better in some way, whether it is a great service of product offered. 

Ethics is also important in entrepreneurship.  Whether it is who you choose to work with and surround yourself with, or a decision that must be made (and made with integrity).  In order to avoid sticky situations, have a set of morals and values already established at the beginning of the journey.  This can help when the tough situations arise, as the decision will be made ahead of time. 

Overall, the opportunities and rewards that come with entrepreneurship can be incredible.  The sacrifices made can be off in the long run.  It takes a special kind of person to complete a journey such as this and be successful at it. 

Week 12

Trial and error is important in life.  Whether it is in business or personal life, the way to become better and to learn is from our experiences – whether good or bad.  As I have had a chance to reflect this week on some of the trials and errors in my past, I have come to the conclusion that those instances where I feel like I failed the most are the best lessons and learning experiences I have had in my life.  Some of them where life changing…and they changed me into a better person than I was before.  I think this can be said in the business world as well.  When there is a failure or trial, it is a great opportunity to step back, assess the situation, and learn from it.  Learn what went wrong, what can be changed to make it better, and try again.  Whether it is changing something because it didn’t work, or just simply trying again...never give up.  Just learn and continue moving on.  

This week was the wrap up of the $100 challenge.  What a great assignment and learning experience for me.  I had some minor trial and errors along the way.  Overall, it was a worthwhile experience, and I learned that this is something that I can see myself doing for a while.  Even if it is just a couple of photo shoots a month.  One thing I realized as I was doing the shoots and editing the pictures…I was happy doing it.  I enjoyed taking the pictures, but the best part of all is seeing my clients’ faces as they saw their images. 

Week 11

Family business was this week’s topic.  I found it interesting to read and learn more of how this works for families.  I have often wondered how families can work together in the business world together all day, and then return how to the same people and not have a lot of contention.  But, after this week’s assignments I realized that it takes a lot of planning and defining to ensure that the contention in the future is minimum.  Family businesses can be very successful.  The term family business is enticing to some customers.  It gives the business a unique reputation.    

The $100 challenge is continuing to progress.  This week I wrapped up editing another photo shoot session.  I feel like this has been a successful project to this point. I have learned a little of the things I would do differently in the future.  Starting a business, even a small version of one as we are doing for this class is not an easy task.  It takes time and effort, especially if it is just one person doing everything.  But, even a small business like this can be rewarding.  Overall, I am excited with the results so far and look forward to the presentation portion of the challenge.   

Week 10

This week we discussed franchising.  It is interesting to think of the many different companies available to us through franchising. It also made me realize how many times I have chosen to be a customer at a franchise location versus a local business. In my town, there is a local gas station that has been in business has long as I can remember. About ten years ago, a well known regional gas station went up across the street.  Better prices,  newer facility, and a well known reputation. Every morning I drive by these stations, and the marquee on the small business says "buying here us a vote for small business".  After this week, that sign has a new meaning. 

I'm continuing on this week in the $100 challenge. I had another client shoot yesterday. While I haven't had as much interest as I had hoped, I still feel progress. It is disappointing to get interest and even an appointment, only to have them cancel. I'm starting to understand the roller coaster ride this can be (to a small extent). One main challenge i have seen is the geographic restrictions due to the nature of my business. I would have potential clients and more referrals, but they are not in my target area. On the other hand, it is exciting to hand a client their disc, and to get positive feedback. I've reached and exceeded the $100, albeit by only a little. Overall, this had been a worthwhile journey to this point. 

Week 9

This week was focused on change.  From the case study we discussed, to the assignments given, we learned about change, and how change can be good.  As one that doesn’t like change, I have learned that life is about change, and if there is a new way to do something, there needs to be change.  With business improvement process, change means being more effective and efficient, which in turn will boot customer satisfaction.  We need to be trying to improve and progress every day, and change is a part of that process.

I continued to work on the $100 challenge this week.  I focused some on marketing and getting the word out.  I linked my blog to Facebook.  While it wasn’t as successful as I had hoped, I did get two more mini shoots scheduled for this week, and one that can’t schedule until after the project is complete.   Word of mouth is also a great form of marketing.  One of the girls I worked with a couple of weeks ago re-posted my link to her friends to get my name out there.  She made the comment she would recommend me to anyone.  A happy customer is one that will tell others about you.  Recommendations and referrals are very beneficial to business.  The marketing part of this process is the most difficult for me.  But without marketing, there wouldn’t be business. 

Week 8

This week we learned about the hiring process.  I have sat in on a few interviews, but I have never had the responsibility of hiring and firing employees.  This is something that I find to be uncomfortable to me, as I am more of a passive/aggressive person that tries to avoid conflict.  However, I understand this is a major part of the business process, and it is important to hire those people that will improve your business.  While hiring those that have the right education and experience is necessary, some of the skills and training can be completed on the job if the right candidate is found, but may not have all the exact skills. 

For the $100 Challenge, this week I wrapped up the three shoots I did last weekend.  I spent several hours editing the pictures from the sessions.  I burned each customer’s images to a dvd and printed out a print release to include with the disc.  I gave them to each of the customers within 3 days of taking their pictures.  While I feel that is a decent turnaround time, I feel like if this was to go beyond the challenge, I would schedule things a little differently.  I have created a blog to put the shoots on to display the work for possible customers.  This week, I will determine one more date of the “mini shoots” and use Facebook as networking to see if I can’t get more customers.