Last Lecture

I have asked myself this question over the past several years: How can I live a more meaningful life and help others along the way? I have learned that being an entrepreneur will help me achieve this goal. However, becoming an entrepreneurial hero is a hard journey. The result is a life of meaning and rewards known only to those willing to sacrifice and choose the harder path. What is an entrepreneur and what does it take to be one? An entrepreneur is someone willing to take the risk to begin a new business. He will organize, manage, and assume all risks of the business. Many skills are needed to become an entrepreneur such as financial, organizational, and inter-personal. The biggest thing an entrepreneur will posses is the character needed to succeed. He must be honest in all aspects of life. He must have perseverance as he will face many challenges. He must have a vision of where he wants to go; this vision or dream must be big enough to help him overcome pitfalls along the journey.

My advice for someone wanting to begin this journey is to just start. Taking the first step is necessary to moving on. You need to decide who you want to be at the end of your journey. Make a list of short phrases that describe who you want to be. Prioritize this list to know what steps to take. Set goals to help you become this person. The journey to entrepreneurship is a journey of becoming – becoming a better person. Now, make a list of “I will nots” to ensure you live a life of integrity. This will help you make the correct choice when challenges come. Learn to face your fears. Most things we fear will never become reality. Look at your fears and gain power over them; make them become strengths. When you prepare for challenges before they appear, you will be more successful in overcoming them. There will always be challenges, for that is how we grow.

Finding good mentors is a must. Look for someone who has already made the journey, who is willing to help you learn and progress. Surrounding yourself with good people who accept your journey and support you in it is important to your success. Choose others to help in your business who have strengths where you have weaknesses. This will take being humble as you face your weaknesses but can help you move forward faster. When we are humble we are not prideful. Beware of pride for it can destroy all that you work for if you allow it to creep in. Know that you will have to work hard. This is not an easy path, but the rewards it will give you are worth the struggles. Continue to learn and acquire new skills and knowledge. An entrepreneur is always growing and changing.

At the end of life, most people do not wish they had spent more time working or building their wealth; they may wish they had better relationships with important people in their lives. Keeping balance with all parts of life is important for the entrepreneur. We do not have to be the wealthiest to enjoy peace and happiness in our lives. Know what is most important to you and never neglect those things. Have faith in a Higher Being who will give you direction and all that you need to be successful. You are meant to be successful, you have all you need inside yourself. When we balance our lives, we will be prepared to do great things. Helping to lift others is the greatest part of our journey. Look for ways along your path to give others help. God want us to love and care for others throughout our lives.

In the 2015 Cinderella movie made by Disney Corporation there is a theme repeated throughout the movie, that has touched my heart. Cinderella’s mother teaches her to “Have courage and be kind”. I think this is a great motto for an entrepreneur to adopt. Have courage to do hard things and be kind to everyone along your journey. Life will give you great rewards as you do these two things. Let us all “Have courage and be kind”.