What Does It Take To Be an Entrepreneur? An Insider Look On How a SUNY Poly Class Is Developing Entrepreneurs

When most people think of entrepreneurs, they think of famous examples like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and so on and so forth. The truth is there are entrepreneurs all around us; the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor has found that 55% of adults in the U.S have started one business in their lifetime. Have you ever wondered what it takes to become an entrepreneur? Maybe you have an idea in your head, or just want to learn more. Well, that’s what I was thinking a couple of months ago when I was registering for courses. It seemed like my schedule was set until I got an email about an exciting entrepreneurship course at SUNY Poly. 

ENT 485 Reimagining Entrepreneurship: Ethical Venturing for Social Impact

The email mentioned how the course provides a “hands-on” experience for those interested in entrepreneurship and making a positive social impact. Throughout the semester, students develop their venture, get mentorship from an SBDC (Small Business Development Center) coach, create a business plan, and pitch their venture at a business competition. Now, being more than halfway done with the course, I can say the email was right; plus there’s so much that you can gain from the experience!

Collaboration

Behind any successful entrepreneur, there’s always a team behind them. Something I appreciate about the course is the emphasis on collaboration. In the real world, it’s teams that bring impact, not just one person. The first few weeks of class, we developed teams that we would stay in throughout most of the semester. Everyone on each team had different experiences and perspectives, which is helpful throughout the whole process. Not only were you able to collaborate with team members but with the instructor, Dr. Edgell, a business coach, and other classmates on different teams. Especially in the ideation process (when you’re coming up with ideas), having people who think differently than you can help spark new connections or ideas.

Patience during the Process

Entrepreneurs must also be patient. Thankfully, Dr. Edgell has an interactive process that guides the class through ideation to eventually pitching the idea. The process takes time, and there are a lot of decisions you must make within a deadline, which is like any project. What makes the process more enjoyable is being able to visualize your work. The class encourages creating prototypes, charts, and lots of sticky notes to envision your thoughts and ideas tangibly. You also learn through the process to be comfortable with change. Your final venture idea will probably look different than your first, and that’s okay! The truth is the process helps refine and strengthen your idea(s) and makes them more sustainable.

Dedication

Throughout the course, you’ll become committed to the business you’re developing. Every decision you make, the time you spend researching, and the feedback you receive reveals the potential of the impact your business could carry. Understanding that value, I think, is a great motivator for entrepreneurs. Having that dedication sustains you and keeps you grounded when it seems like chaos. 

Integrity

While there are other notable characteristics entrepreneurs can embody, I think integrity is one of the most important. Through the course, you learn about sustainability, ethics, and making a positive impact. You gain an understanding of how organizations are challenging the traditional approaches, and are building more impactful and sustainable businesses. While you work on developing your business, you can incorporate these values to become a responsible and proactive member of society.

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into becoming an entrepreneur, but you don’t have to be intimidated. At SUNY Poly, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more. I would highly recommend taking ENT 485 or any other entrepreneurship class! The skills you learn are highly transferable to both your professional and personal life. You’ll be challenged, supported, and inspired! Before I sign off, I would like to thank Dr. Edgell, Shelby, Niyati, and my classmates for creating such a memorable experience! The lessons I’ve learned will carry far beyond this course!