Entrepreneur Journal

This week, I really enjoyed the article about Microlending. I think that it really showed how one person can make a big impact. Muhammad Yunus started with just $27 out of his own pocket and has grown a microlending business to lending over $400 million. I just found the whole story about this so intriguing. It really showed how he was able to make such an impact in millions of peoples lives. In Charles Handy's article, he talks about the importance of virtue and integrity. I think it is summed up perfectly in the following: "Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws in turn depend on truth and trust. Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play. The markets will empty and share prices will collapse, as ordinary people find other places to put their money – into their houses, maybe, or under their beds." I think that we have seen this happen in our country. As the integrity and virtue of the country as a w...

I really enjoyed this weeks readings and videos. I particularly enjoyed listening to Randy Komisar. I loved his explanation about a balanced life. He said a lot of us look at it like a pendulum and if the ball of the pendulum is pretty much centered than we have a balanced life. But he said that what we need to realize is that sometimes the ball is going to be off to one side or the other and that's okay as long as it doesn't stay there permanently (at least that's how I interpret it). I think that this is such a great view. We need to look at it with a longer perspective. Balance is something that I have been trying to figure out as I have been going to school. I feel like if I am focusing more on school, the house tends to suffer, but if I focus on the house then my school work suffers. I need to stop looking at it as a one or the other thing and realize that right now, school is a bigger priority than the house and it's ok! School is not going to last forever. Seriou...

This week, I really enjoyed speaking with Emily about her business. I feel like I learned a lot about starting and owning your own business. Talking with her made me feel like starting my own business is not the craziest idea. I think that it is something that I could do. Especially with just a small, at home business. As I was talking to her and contemplating the questions for the paper, it really made me think about what I think success is. I realized that to me, success in your business, is having it run the way you want it to and have it be profitable. I think that having your definition of success is important so that when you have a business, you will know if you are successful or not. I also really enjoyed the readings this week. "The Challenge to Become" is one of my all-time favorite talks. I think that that is our first priority in this life; to be truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also really enjoyed the "License to Pursue Dreams." As I l...

This week I really enjoyed learning about "little l" leadership. I had actually learned about it when I took Pathway, but it was good to read it again. I love how President Clark made the connection of leadership to the Savior. We are to emulate Him in all ways, so why not in leadership as well. I also loved how President Clark wasn't talking just about leadership in our jobs or careers, but throughout every aspect of our life. I also really enjoyed learning reading "A Message to Garcia." I found the section about "I'll Do It Myself" particularly of interest. I definitely fall into the category of finding it just easier to do things myself rather than rely on someone else to do it. But, I like how it talked about why it is not best to do that. It said, "Tempting as this may be, it is impossible to build an effective organization without delegating important tasks to talented and capable people. It’s the only way to make a grand vision a real...

I really enjoyed this week's readings and videos. Elder Holland's video is probably one of my most favorites (actually the whole talk is one of my all time favorites). But, it was a good reminder that everyone encounters tough times. We just have to keep pressing forward. As I have contemplated the obstacles that I may face as I look for a career, I keep coming back to the fact that I am probably my biggest obstacle. I have a lot of fear, worry and insecurity about taking a step toward something. In one of my other classes this week, I had to interview a BYU-I alumni. It happened to be a girl who is in a very similar stage of life as I am and she has her own photography business. It was good to listen to her talk about her experience and how she began. She said that her husband was actually the driving force and that she was nervous to start. It just seemed so relatable to me and really made me think about what is stopping me. I then thought back to the readings and videos fr...