Final thoughts on Entrepreneurship

This course has been entirely different from what I thought it would be when I started and I am extremely grateful for that. Throughout this semester, we have focused on the value of ongoing learning both through formal education and informal avenues of learning, leadership, pursuing dreams, setting ethical boundaries for how to conduct ourselves, finding the right companions and mentors, and using our passions, strengths and talents to become who we were always meant to become. When I first started this course, I thought it would be much more business oriented, more focused on foundational details of what it takes to start up a business.  I was wrong.  This class was much more.  I took this class in conjunction with a writing class geared towards professional writing for my major.  They dovetailed together beautifully because what I learned from the combination of these two classes, was that I don't want to be an entrepreneur.  I want to write. I want to be a leader in my field, and write books, articles, and reports that inspire others to pursue their own passions. I want to connect people together with their ancestors through research, meaningful stories, and help them form meaningful relationships on both sides of the veil. What I don't want to do is run a business. As we progressed through this course, I found myself loving all of the leadership resources and despising the case studies. If I opened a Harvard Business school article, I groaned. This course taught me that entrepreneurship is not right for me. 

In many ways, I do have an entrepreneurial spirit and the many associated personality factors including being a risk taker who sees a vision that no one else sees.  I resonate with seeking stars and steppingstones, wanting to make a difference in the world, being a leader and becoming who I was always meant to become. This is what I fully intend to do with my life.  However, I will be pursuing those goals through a different avenue than starting my own company. I still see myself as a person who has the ability to make an impact, and make decisions necessary to bring about a greater good.  However, rather than taking a leadership role from the outside with a start up, I want to direct the work from within an already existing company. It will take many of the skills that we studied in this class, lots of time and dedication while starting at the bottom and working my way up to where I can impact decisions, but those are strengths that I have.  I've demonstrated that pattern in my life before and am able and willing to do it again. After this class, I have a greater resolve to pursue my dreams of writing and directing a genealogical retreat; but now I know that those dreams don't involve starting my own company. 

Location: Indiana, PA 15701, USA

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