by Randal Pinkett on Black Collegian.com
Google. YouTube. Yahoo! Facebook.The list of
blockbuster businesses started by college students
continues to grow. Wouldn't it be great if you could
have your fantasy job now, today and not years from
now? As more young people take a proactive
approach to shaping their future, you may be
wondering how you can build your own business right
after graduation, or even while earning your degree.
You don't have to wait to launch your dream
business.The idea of becoming a
studententrepreneur used to be radical, but now it's a
practical, appealing avenue for many. I started a
business while a student at Rutgers University and so
can you.
I've always been an entrepreneur - from running a
lemonade stand as a child, to creating a compact disc
store during college,to becoming Chairman and CEO
of BCT Partners, the consulting firm I co-founded with
three of my college classmates.My campus-based
business helped me to graduate completely debt-free
and and I have five degrees!
I owe a great deal of my success to being a student
entrepreneur on various college campuses and those
experiences gave me equal doses of academic
training and business savvy. When I was a student, I
turned to those around me and actively sought out
mentors and role models, but there were few sound
resources available to young entrepreneurs. I wrote
my new book, "Campus CEO: The Student
Entrepreneur's Guide To Launching A Multimillion
Dollar Business" with this in mind. I firmly believe that
the "entrepreneur's mindset" – of creativity,
resourcefulness, courage, vision and perseverance –
is empowering and with this book I hope to help foster
that outlook in talented young leaders.
No matter your major, background or area of interest,
your generation is well positioned to build
businesses. You bring a unique perspective – you
recognize that corporate job stability is a thing of the
past and you inherently understand the importance of
building a personal brand. You also realize that the
entrepreneurial path can give you the ability to make a
direct, positive impact in your key areas of
influence.
Plus, by starting your own business while still a
student or immediately after you graduate, you can
blaze a pathway to success and generate income
now. Take full advantage of being so closely
connected with your university – there are a range of
once-in-a-lifetime perks, advantages, and resources
available to you right now.
Continue reading for Randal's pearls of wisdom
for starting a successful business
