I think I have always had some sort of drive in me. I was working a full time job as well as my side job on the weekends just to pay the bills. The breaking point for me came when my current job told me to either create something that brings in money to our hotel or we wont have a position for you. With no experience at all, I created 2 markets both producing about a million annually. I thought to myself - If I can do this for someone else, why can't I do it for me?
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students (young and old) locally or internationally who want to become entrepreneurs?
1. You have got to know how to take baby steps. If you have a huge dream in mind or huge end goal, dont let yourself get stuck not knowing which move to make first. JUST MAKE A MOVE!
2. Be Fearless.
3. Know what you don't know and be curious. If you understand - keep your ego aside and truly know what you dont know, you'll know how to find or hire someone who might know few things you lack to compliment your business and help it grow.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Absolutely NOT. I love what I do and I love that I get to blaze my own trail!
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
I'm not sure it's a particular "skill" that is needed to be an entrepreneur - I think it's more about the characteristics one has to have internally.I do think that an entrepreneur needs to understand that they will need to wear multiple hats for the first phase of the business. An entrepreneur will HAVE to have sales skills. If you don't know how to sell your business you will fail. Sales is what makes the business happen. You could have the best product or service in the world, but if you don't know how to sell it, you will never succeed. I also think that you have to be compassionate and understand people. People buy from people they like and trust, so with out people skills, you may run into a road block.
And my third and final skill recommendation would be the ability to dream. You are the driver of that ship, so you will need to know where to lead your team.
