Week 2 Reading Reflection

1. I was slightly surprised by the distinction between being an entrepreneur and being a small-business owner. Prior to this course, I had assumed an entrepreneur could be considered an interchangeable term with business owner. However, entrepreneurs strive for growth, while many small-businesses remain stagnant in several fields, including profits and level of innovation.

2. I was a bit confused by the author downplaying the need for money. Obviously, there is much more to a successful business than capital. However, the author almost implies that with proper planning and procedure, that one can get around a lack of capital. While I do understand the importance of being a well-rounded entrepreneur, I do not think I would be very successful without money, especially for start up costs.

3. I would ask the author more specifically about his personal entrepreneurship experiences. Textbooks are meant to apply general knowledge to a vast amount of readers. A one on one, personal conversation would more than likely offer a great deal of insight.

I would also ask the author what his personal opinion on capital would be. More specifically, start up capital when creating a new business. I would want to know what he would calculate to be a good starting price point. I would want to know what potential profit margins he would think would be producible in both the short and long term, and how start up capital relates as a ratio to potential early earnings. I am aware he refers to Gazelles in the economy, and how they have seen 20% growth each year with a 100,000 dollar startup. However, I would be interested in knowing what necessary adjustments would have to be made if that sort of growth did not happen, particularly in the first year.  

4. I don't think there's anything that the author was necessarily wrong about. Being a new student to the world of entrepreneurship,  I think it will take some time to identify what is considered wrong or right in the world of entrepreneurship. Thus, I really cannot identify something as wrong quite yet. However, it is interesting to think that in the future I may be able to look back on this reading and potentially find something that I disagree with. 

Bug List

1.  I get upset when people don’t tip well.

ans.     Morally, it is important to realize that most of these workers make less than minimum wage.

2    2.  I’ve never been a fan of the people who are in the furthest lane to the right at a red light when they intend to go straight. Everyone behind them wants to turn right but has to wait at the light.

ans.     If you plan on going straight, don’t drive in the right lane.

3.    It’s always stressful watching someone chew with his/her mouth closed.

ans.     Learn basic manners.

4.     There are a lot of very ignorant people who think that they know about politics.

ans.     People should educate themselves before making inaccurate statements.

5.     Likewise, there are a lot of people who value their opinions, but are quick to discredit others.

ans.     If you have an opinion, then you should respect those of others.

6.     People who squat with the pad on the bar at the gym should reevaluate what they’re doing at the gym.

ans.     Learn to squat with just the bar on your back.

7.     Most people who make the argument that GPA doesn’t justify intelligence, tend to have very bad GPAs.

ans.     Try harder in class.

8.     Miracle weight loss solution infomercials on TV are exactly what is wrong with society.

ans.     There aren’t shortcuts. Don’t eat crap. Go out and exercise.

9.     People should at least make an attempt to wear clothes that aren’t covered in wrinkles.

ans.     Iron your clothes, or at least put them in the dryer.

10.  A lot of people get too caught up on their phones when in social settings.

ans.     Put your phone away.

11.  A lot of people are too caught up taking pictures of the fun things that they’re doing, that they forget to actually enjoy the moment.

ans.     Put your phone away.

12.  Too many people get far too caught up in technology in their daily lives.

ans.     Find something fun to do outside.

13.  A lot of people tend to get very close face to face when speaking. Sometimes they also unintentionally put their hands on my shoulder when trying to convey a message.

ans.     Respect personal space. Not everyone likes to be touched or have spit on their face.

14.  Social media isn’t a diary. Don’t post depressing things on twitter and facebook.

ans.     Talk to someone in person about your issues. You’ll probably accomplish more.

15.  There are a lot of people who get tattoos just for the sake of getting a tattoo. A lot of them regret it later.

ans.     Tattoos are cool. Get something meaningful permanently etched onto your skin, though.

16.  The sun isn’t inside. Why exactly do people think it’s acceptable to wear sunglasses inside?

ans.     It takes about half a second to take sunglasses off of your face.

17.  Most Seattle Seahawks fans have been Seattle Seahawks fans for about three years.

ans.     Find a team that you can root for even when times are tough. Nobody likes bandwagoners.

18.  I’m from Winter Park, FL. It is a very urbanized town and probably the furthest thing from being considered “country.” For some reason, a lot of people think that they’re country in Winter Park.

ans.     Driving a pickup truck doesn’t make you country. Neither does your fake accent and saying “y’all” at the beginning of every sentence.

19.  There are a lot of people who feel the need to constantly speak about themselves.

ans.     Ask more questions and talk about yourself left.

20.  If you can’t grow facial hair, or grow patchy facial hair, why do you leave it on your face?

ans.     Work with what you have or be clean shaven.

Reflection: I found it very easy to come up with about ten things to put on this list. However, the last ten became slightly more difficult. It's very easy to get annoyed in every day life. But, to actually take the time to remember all of the specific little things that can make you upset, tends to be a bit more difficult. 

My Entrepreneurship Story

I consider my Uncle Johnny an entrepreneur. He owns and operates several businesses, his most successful being a property management company based in Orlando. Having not graduated college, he left school to pursue his goals. It's a true testament to the idea that great things can come to those who work hard. While a formal education does help, he has succeeded without a degree. He seems well-versed in just about every aspect of life. He spends his time reading, learning knew things, always claiming that knowledge is the key to success. I hope to one day lead a similar life. I hope to constantly grow as a person, to use my money wisely, and to ultimately be very successful in my respective fields of work. This course, is much different than many courses in college, in the sense that it is far more interactive than many classes that have me glued to a textbook. My biggest goal with this course is to learn and develop the skills necessary for me to become successful.

The Entrepreneurship's Mantra

My Introduction

Hello, everyone! My name is Alex Knight. I just recently started at the University of Florida this term. I am currently in week 2 of my studies here. I transferred from the University of South Florida. So far I really enjoy it. I am from Winter Park, FL, which is just outside of Orlando. However, originally, I'm from Rhode Island. I am a big Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins fan. I hope to one day go to Law School and potentially get a job in the sport's industry. In my free time, I enjoy watching sports, playing sports, exercising, scuba diving, skydiving, and really anything outdoors. I love music and have been to several music festivals as well.