Be Your Own Boss
- Reajonnae Freeman
- Feb 14, 2018
- 2 min read
For students enrolled in any of the business degree programs at Full Sail University or interested in becoming an entrepreneur and starting their own business, this was a panel that would have been a shame to miss. Luckily the panel was being live streamed to the Full Sail University Youtube channel where you can catch it in its entirety there.
The panelists consisted of Carol Cox the course director for Business and Marketing at Full Sail University. Cox has over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship having started her own business in 2001. As well as Michael LaPlante, a Full Sail graduate from the Web Design and Development program.
'"Being an entrepreneur is tough,” said Michael LaPlante."
He recounted an event from his past in which he was sued and wishes that he had taken the proper precautions to protect himself. He states that getting a legal advisor would have helped him a lot in avoiding mistakes like that. Cox found a contract online back when she was first starting her business and after revising it to better suit her needs she brought it to an attorney to look at for $100 and still uses it to this day. She’s proof that you don’t have to spend all of your savings into a startup business and can find ways to negotiate and get started while spending the least amount of money.
LaPlante also stated that in starting your own business, mental health is paramount. There’s a lot of stress in starting your own company and lifting it off the ground and even more stress in sharing that beginning experience with others who may not see eye-to-eye with you. He also suggests to find a business partner that is opposite to you, to counter balance you in business and maybe suggest something that you wouldn’t think of. Get people on your team that have a complimentary skill set so that in areas where you struggle others have strength.
Communication was also brought up as an important necessity. As a start-up company, the customers are the main focus so having good communication and being able to properly communicate your brand or service is key to customers believing in you and your brand. Many new companies focus too much on getting investors that they neglect the customers that can bring in just as much revenue.
The #1 thing to take away from this panel is to get yourself out there, don’t be afraid to talk to people, and get yourself known.
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