The reading level for this article is Novice
Editor:
Publisher: Ryan P. Allis,
“A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions.” – Marcus Aurelius Antonius, former Roman Emperor
:: CONTENTS
1. Message from the Editor
2. The Motivation of a Young Entrepreneur
3. Entrepreneurial Quotes
4. Book Review: New Venture Creation by Jeffrey Timmons
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Section One
Message from the Editor
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Welcome to the second issue of ‘The Young Entrepreneurship Herald.’ We thank everyone for their very positive feedback on our first issue last month. Please send any additional comments, suggestions, or feedback to info@zeromillion.com.
In this second issue we have included the full text of a recent article on the motivation of young entrepreneurs by young entrepreneur Ryan Allis, a section with quotes for entrepreneurs, and a review of ‘New Venture Creation’ by Jeffrey Timmons.
This issue, along with all archived issues, can be found online in the Young Entrepreneurship Resource Center at http://www.zeromillion.com/young/.
I thank you for reading this issue and being a subscriber of The Young Entrepreneurship Herald. Please do forward this on to your friends and colleagues.
Cordially yours,
Richard Battle-Baxter
Rutgers University
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Section Two
The Motivation of a Young Entrepreneur
by Ryan P. Allis
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Article online at http://www.zeromillion.com/young/motivation.html
It’s 3:00am on a rainy Monday morning in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and I am thinking. I am thinking about the word ‘motivation.’ What is it that motivates me to work forty hours every week building my company or studying entrepreneurship (after I finish my other studies)? What is it that motivates young entrepreneurs?
There is surely great power in motivation. Without it, our Freudian id would be ever conquering, and we would sleep and vegetate all day. But there is something that drives us entrepreneurs. There is some little voice, perhaps our superego, that makes up get up, put on clothes, and then lead, build, innovate, execute, and inspire for the next fifteen hours. Discern one’s core motivations and you’ve found the heart of his or her being.
Is money a motivation? Well, it is for nearly all of us. But it is by no means the most important motivation. We actually prefer the thrill of the venture. We hope to do something noteworthy. A desire for respect motivates us. A thirst for achievement motivates us. The desire to excel, an internal drive to pursue and attain challenging goals, to reach our full potential, adds to the pot. Finally, the desire to innovate, to create, to make the world a better place and improve the standards of living for all by providing better and higher quality goods and services surely is core.
What is my motivation? Well, on page one of ‘The Lifetime Goals of Ryan Allis’ it states “Goal Four: Create a lasting foundation that will encourage education, reduce poverty, improve health, better economic conditions, encourage entrepreneurship, and prevent corruption in developing nations.” In all honesty, this is my biggest motivation. I hope to follow the philanthropic paths of Rockefeller, Carnegie, Soros, and Gates.
I realized about three years ago that few persons in this world have the opportunity that I do growing up in a supportive middle class American family. I hope to ensure the same opportunity I have had; the chance to receive a good education, to have good health care, to be well-fed, to live in a country with a vibrant economy and relatively non-corrupt political system, and to start a business is made available to all. A huge goal, but I think it can be done.
As an aside, I have included the opportunity to start a business for a reason. Entrepreneurship and the ability to fairly easily start a business has given my life great meaning and possibility. I am now a Chief Executive Officer, a business owner. I have something that is mine. Something to live for. Something to build, to create, to craft, to own, to watch grow.
However, few people in our world have the opportunity to start a business. One of my role models, the Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto did a study a few years back. He and a small team set out to find out how long it would take to legally start a simple business in Lima, Peru. To get the legal paperwork done to establish a shop with one sewing machine without making any bribes took 289 days and cost $1,230 – 31 times the monthly minimum wage. Though surely not all persons want to, the ability to easily set up a legal business is essential to building a world of prosperity.
What are my other long term goals? I presently have four in all. The other three include 1) write a book that sells 1,000,000 copies, 2) be the founder/lead entrepreneur in a company that goes public, and 3) win the Nobel Prize in economics.
These goals motivate me to get up every morning and learn, lead, and work. Three years ago, I had none of these goals and hence, none of the motivation. I was fifteen and going through that rough period of adolescence it seems we all go through. If I had had the experience then to know that anything in this world is possible, that I can make a difference, that I can do meaningful things, that life wasn’t just an endless cycle of waking up, going to school, studying, smoking marijuana, and going to bed, I surely would have been more psychologically healthy and motivated. I was lucky in that I was getting still good grades in school, taking some enlightening classes, and had supportive parents. Without, I may not have made it as I had no goals or underlying motivations that could give my life meaning. I had yet to realize the extent of opportunity and possibility this world has.
Presently, I am more motivated than I have ever been before. I believe this motivation is directly correlated by the extent to which I am doing what I love. I am building a company. I am working as a research assistant for the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Venturing. I am the Vice President of the Carolina Entrepreneurship Club. I am doing an independent study in entrepreneurship. I am taking MBA classes on venture capital and legal issues for start-ups. I am studying economics. I am following my bliss and doing what I love. I am striving to reach my goals and I am highly motivated. Do you know what your goals are? Are you working tangibly and proactively to reach them?
No matter your age, if you do not have a framed and very visible listing of your goals and what you want to accomplish in your life, I challenge you to stop what you are doing for the next 45 minutes and write them down. Create your own mission statement. Define who you are. Know what you are striving for. Discern your core motivations.
On a final note, I was fortunate to attend a private reception last week with renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper. The one thing he said that has stuck with me most was, “Give it that extra 10%. Everyone gives up at 90%, not realizing that the true benefits, the true gains come from that extra little effort, that extra ounce of proactive diligence, the writing of those thank you cards, the reading of that extra book each month, the calling on those last prospects, the preparation for your next day.”
Get out there and give it all you got. You’ve got one life to live. Better make it rockin’. Make your goals. Find your motivation and core reasons for being. Then give it your all plus that extra 10%. And in the end be happy that you made a difference, accomplished something meaningful to you, added value to the world, and had fun all the while.
– 4:48am on a now snowing morning in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Section Three
Entrepreneurial Quotes
Compiled by Ryan P. Allis & Rich Battle-Baxter
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Nothing that sends you to the grave with a smile on your face comes easy. Work hard doing what you love. Find out what gives you energy and improve on it. – Betty Coster, Entrepreneur
If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t! If you want to win, but think you can’t, It’s almost a cinch you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost; For out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow’s will; It’s all in the state of the mind. Life’s battles don’t always go To the stronger and faster man, But sooner or later the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can.” – Walter D. Wintle
Life is but a game, however, in this game the rules are not revealed until well into the game; and then, to only those courageous enough to seek them.” – Ryan P. Allis, entrepreneur
I know I will be _________. Therefore I will be ___________. Fill in the blank. – Ryan P. Allis, entrepreneur
Those who enter to buy, support me. Those who come to flatter, please me. Those who complain, teach me how I may please others so that more will come. Only those hurt me who are displeased but do not complain. They refuse me permission to correct my errors. – Marshall Field, entrepreneur.
One can get anything if he is willing to help enough others get what they want. – Zig Ziglar, salesman
Failure defeats losers, failure inspires winners. – Robert T. Kiyosaki, author, entrepreneur, investor
No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking. – Voltaire
The price of greatness is responsibility. – Winston Churchill
Happiness to an entrepreneur is a positive cash flow. Fred Adler, venture capitalist
Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. – Niccolo Machiavelli, 15th century Italian Statesman
Entrepreneurs average 3.8 failures before final success. What sets the successful ones apart is their amazing persistence. – Lisa M. Amos
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Section Four: Book Review
New Venture Creation by Jeffrey A. Timmons
Review by Ryan P. Allis
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I stumbled upon ‘New Venture Creation’ about a month ago on the bookshelf of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology Venturing here at UNC. Essentially, it is a textbook on entrepreneurship compiled over multiple editions by Harvard professor Jeffrey Timmons. The text is extensive, and covers every aspect of venture creation including opportunity recognition, raising funding, the entrepreneurial mind, ethics, business plans, valuations, building the team, managing growth, and exit strategies. Especially informative are the numerous case studies, worksheets, and sample agreements.
I would highly recommend ‘New Venture Creation’ to any young entrepreneur. I’d suggest checking the library first, however, as the price tag for a new copy is around $100.
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This concludes issue two of The Young Entrepreneurship Herald. We’ll see you in March.
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