Ivy Entrepreneurs

Do one small thing today for your business idea that you have been putting off. This is a reminder that, as simple as it sounds, nothing will happen if you don’t do anything. Research that one part of the business model you have been putting off. Brainstorm ideas for your business name even if you don’t choose one today. Research about your minimum viable product. Please do something today, even if it is small.

Dear student entrepreneurs: Just ask people for help! The worst they can say is no. Looking to get advice from one of your business professors? Just ask them. Looking to join an entrepreneurship event hosted by your school? Just ask them. Want someone to look over your business plan? Just ask them. You would be surprised how many people are willing to help just because you asked kindly. 

There is room for everybody in business! It doesn’t matter if you think there are too many other people doing the same thing you want to do, there will always be room for you if you start your business. Don’t let being overwhelmed stop you from even trying!

Does creating an entire #BusinessPlan seem too overwhelming? Try creating a business model canvas first. This is just a condensed, short, version of a business model that you can use to start brainstorming your full business model. There are free templates online, even on Canva. You would be surprised how easy they are compared to a full business model. 

Daily reminder that YOU GOT THIS! You want to start a business? YOU GOT THIS! You have an idea you want to bring to life? YOU GOT THIS! You made some progress towards your business idea? YOU GOT THIS! We believe in you!!

Free ways to market your business for when you are just starting out as a student entrepreneur: -Email a local journalist a press release (there are free templates for press releases online), you might get featured in a local magazine or newspaper. -Ask your college if you could hang up fliers about your business around campus (the worst they could say is no). -Post about your business on social media, and share what you are passionate about until people are interested. -Tell your family and friends about your business, they could be your first customers. -Join a school club or organization about entrepreneurship, most schools have at least one. -Join a university business competition, the judges and attendees are a free audience to your business pitch.

Some not-so-glamorous things you need to do before you open your business: -Start an LLC to keep yourself and your assets protected when running your business. -Get professional liability insurance, again to keep yourself protected. -Make sure you can sustain yourself while pursuing your business (either have enough money saved or have a steady stream of income before you jump to running your business). -Have a support system, like family, friends, or a counselor, to help support you emotionally when times get tough (running a business takes a lot of emotional energy).

Give yourself more credit when starting a business. You may have imposter syndrome, or you may think you aren’t talented enough to start a business, but you are actually WRONG! Everyone has to start somewhere. It's ok not to be good at something when you first start. What sets you apart from others is that you don’t give up when things get difficult. Consistency, and showing up, will get you much further than you could ever imagine. 

Building a team as a student #Entrepreneur -Use your time in school to your advantage. You have opportunities to join entrepreneurship clubs. Take advantage of these opportunities to meet others before you graduate. Joining clubs lets you meet other motivated student entrepreneurs. -Joining events is another great way to meet other student entrepreneurs who might be interested in starting a business with you. Students who are motivated enough to join a competition might be good team members!

Time management advice from Julia Seraphine, former student entrepreneur turned digital marketing agency owner: -If you have 1 hour to scroll on social media before class you have 1 hour to watch videos about starting a business. -Sometimes doing one small thing per day to move the needle forward can get you further than waiting to be motivated and doing all of your work in one sitting. Sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. Do something anyway. -If you have time to sit down somewhere and get schoolwork done, try doing your work somewhere that other entrepreneurship-minded people will be. If there is a café or fancy hotel lobby nearby that businesspeople go to often, get some coffee and do your work there. You spend the same amount of time working, but working in that café will give you the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs or interesting people. -Time spent researching isn’t time wasted. #timemanagement #studententrepreneur