Part 1 of this post explained how I was in a situation in which my college didn’t really support the entrepreneurial education I was seeking.  That begs the question of  how I kept my passion for launching a business alive?  What kept my fire burning?  

First, I became a sponge every summer.  I sought out internships that would teach me about the life of a business owner.  I found mentors who were willing to help me learn the lessons not taught in classes.  I surrounded myself with friends who were passionate about entrepreneurship and we had conversations that were much better than any organized on-campus club. Aside from those things, I read…A LOT.  I read biographies of people that had shared my dreams and went after it.  I read newspapers and articles highlighting business success stories.  Really, I did everything I could to fuel my own fire knowing that one day all of the information I was absorbing would be put to use.  A year after graduation, I began my first business with a college friend who shared my passion.

Lucky for you there are some great things going on for any student who aspires to launch their own business.  Most schools have made a significant investment in developing their entrepreneurship programs.  If you are in high school, make sure you find a college that has a solid course load built around running a business.  There is a national organization called Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization that is appearing on campuses across the nation.  From the students that I know in these groups, they are great.  Definitely a step above the club that was available to me.  

One last thing, and I think this is huge.  You have to realize that there are more students than ever who are passionate about entrepreneurship.  Find these people. Talk to them.  One such group of people that I came across is found at Under30CEO (www.under30ceo.com).  This is directly from their website:

“No business survives on its own. Everybody with dreams and ideas needs a tribe behind their passion. Everybody needs help, motivation and most of all believers. Our focus is to facilitate cultural change and make it acceptable for young people to go out and do what they truly care about.  This community was created to push young entrepreneurs and their dreams forward. This is not just a social network, it is a community of passionate people looking to make change. This community is not just virtual. The virtual community only enhances the real-world change we are facilitating; the virtual world is only a supplemental tool for entrepreneurs and our hectic, fast paced lifestyles.  Under30CEO is a living breathing dream constantly being pushed forward by the ambitious, motivated, hard working and big dreaming members that will let us all succeed. Succeed at living life on our own means.”

I am a member of this community, and I believe in what they are trying to do.  I sat in on one of their video chats the other night, and it became clear to me that this group is committed to becoming fuel to your entrepreneurial fire.  Check them out and get invoved!

Whatever you do, don’t let college kill your entrepreneurial spirit!