1/15/2015

As I embark a second semester onto the path of obtaining my Bachelors degree I am wondering to myself, "what in the world are you doing?"  I am rounding the corner to 60 and now is my time to sit back and relax, instead I am working my butt off more than ever.  I am asking myself questions such as "why entrepreneur? why?  Is a college degree really that important?" But I am driven by a higher power to do what I am doing and I do not know why.  Getting a minor in entrepreneur is what he wants me to do so I am doing it.

I love the inspirational stories but I doubt myself that I can do anything of that caliber.  When I read about the $100 project and that I had to donate my funds I was rather overwhelmed and irritated.  Then I got onto the website and I was impressed.  Here is a whole list of entrepreneurs trying to eek out enough life to put a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.  I have a daughter on a mission in Ecuador so picking a person from that country was an easy choice.

Now here is my big question for the week. "What am I going to do to make $100?"  I have such limited time!  I have 16 credit hours and an old brain.  I already work on school 12 hours a day.  I put out on Facebook for ideas and received just a few

frozen pies business, especially around Valentines day
Dog poop picking up business (thanks Phil)
Dog walking business - I guess my family knows I love dogs
Collecting pop cans
Collecting scrap metal

Some of my own

Before my father in law died I had made him a bib that looked like a tuxedo.  He ask me to develop adult bibs that looked like military uniforms.  Not just ones that were camouflage but looked like real uniforms.  This one has interested me for awhile but I have not had the time to develop it and, other than the senior center store, where do I sell it at?

My other questions "why does the Lord want me to take entrepreneur classes?" Well, the other day I was listening to a podcast about missionaries that served humanitarian missions for the church and I got a warm feeling, that is why.  So I guess I am obtaining a degree in something the Lord wants me to have so I can serve him in the future.

question: "Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?"

Well I have the get up and go but I don't really have the confidence.

Whatever I do, once I get out of school, is going to be something that benefits people.  I am not interested in making millions.  The entrepreneur book I am reading talks all about making your business that works for the customer and you and no one else.  I will be posting my book report next week on the blog as I do not want to forget some of the important reading I have done in it.

 What are things that you are looking forward to learning and experiencing? 

I am looking forward to some hands on experience in starting a business, though it may be small. I am looking forward to donating funds to give micro loans to families in Ecuador.  I am looking forward to the inspirational stories that motivate me to be my best self and sharing those with my husband.

What were some specific insights that you found while reading your book and reading some of the blogs?  

quotes from the book I love and agree with and/or have learned something about

 "If you want to be useful, you can always start now, with only 1 percent of what you have in your grand vision. It'll be a humble prototype version of your grand vision, but you'll be in the game.  You'll be ahead of the rest, because you actually started while others are waiting for the finish line to magically appear at the starting line." Derek Sivers



"Starting small puts 100% of your energy on actually solving real problems for real people. It gives you a stronger foundation to grow from...It gets right to the point. And it will let you change your plan in an instant." Derek Sivers

From Jackie Huba's blog "outstanding customer service = more $$ and more word of mouth."

"To me ideas are worth nothing unless they are executed." Sivers  My husband and I are full of ideas and no execution.

I think customer service is where it is at.  Please the customer and make them happy and your business will grow healthily.

 Why do you think that keeping an Entrepreneurial Journal will be a valuable tool?

As with any journal it is enjoyable to go back and watch progress.  This journal will be a great place to put in some of my ideas and keep them forever rather than losing them.  It will be a great place to put in quotes and learning I have done so i can go back and read them again later.   

Progress on $100 challenge

I have made a list to choose from, I have explored a couple of ideas, I have talked it over with my husband. I know where I am getting my $20 seed money.