Final Reflection

Although this is the end of our journey together in ENT 3003, you now have a set of experiences that you can use to better navigate the future. My hope is that each of you have, to one extent or another, developed an entrepreneurial mindset. That you keep a sharp eye out for problems, and you're willing to offer a solution. 

For this final reflection, I'd like you to do a few things:

1) Read through your posts from this semester. Recall all of the experiences you've had a long the way -- the highs, the lows -- the fun moments, and the moments of drudgery, and even the moments of dread.

2) What sticks out to you as the most formative experience? The experience that you'll remember years later? What was your most joyous experience? What experience are you most proud of yourself for accomplishing?

Looking through prior assignments I have completed for this course, I believe the most formative experience had to come from the posts involving customer interviews. Although it was challenging to coordinate these interviews, most of which were my friends attending different universities (as that met my customer demographic requirement), it was quite rewarding to read real opinions from them. The organization and processes I went through to specify my customer and their needs is a highly valuable skill that I will hopefully apply later in my career. Furthermore, I will remember these experiences years from now because I have proof of friends that were willing to help me, and therefore would be likely to help me again (as would I).

Strangely enough, my most joyous (and satisfying) experience was recording the three elevator pitches. In general, I have always felt comfortable speaking in front of crowds, though I have little experience speaking in front of a camera. After recording the pitches and analyzing how I appeared in the video, I enjoyed seeing how I present myself on screen – as opposed through writing. Moreover, it was also incredible to watch my peer’s elevator pitches and put a face on the people I had been reading about for months.  

3) At the beginning of the semester, I mentioned that I wanted each of you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Now, at the end, do you see yourself as an entrepreneur? Do you think you have moved closer to developing an entrepreneurial mindset?

            For the most part, I still do not see myself as entrepreneur but do feel that I have gained an entrepreneurial mindset. Compared to the first week, where I had no knowledge in entrepreneurship, it’s been an intriguing experience throughout these assignments, and I’m grateful to have learned all that I have. To me, entrepreneurship is more of adapting to challenges and being receptive to criticism, reviews, and understanding that you cannot figure everything out. After these past few months, the most influential thing I have learned is that entrepreneurship is not intended to be approached the same style as those around you, but rather the style that works best for your strengths and your opportunity.  

4) What is the one recommendation you would make to the students who are going to journey down this path in the future? What would you recommend they do to perform best in this course? What would you recommend they do to foster that mindset?

Although I am no expert in entrepreneurship, I would recommend to always keep an open mind to new ideas and strategies. The world is evolving around you, and there is no reason to handle your start-up in the same fashion that others are; do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! In addition, be sure to identify your customers and demographics to the best of your ability, or else your product will not produce as efficiently as you thought it would. To perform well in the course, simply stay ahead of your assignments, try to complete all the interviews by Thursday, and do not over-analyze assignment instructions. To foster this mindset, apply what you have learned in this class to other classes. Perhaps it will prove harder to identify opportunities in other subjects, but that’s the hidden beauty within entrepreneurship – anyone can do it!