On February 13th, 2019 Stevenson University hosted an Entrepreneurship Career Panel. The panelist consisted of John Dinkel of Dinkel Business Development, Chris Daley, founder and principal of Whirlaway LLC, Elizabeth Trimm branch manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Andrew Murphy, partner and owner of Flying Frog Publishing, Andy Brown, founder and CEO of Eat Pizza, and Garrett Pfeiffer, manager of Maryland Brand Management. Throughout the event, the panelist discussed their strategy of creating a business, how to manage a healthy work-life balance, and guidance on successfully establishing a brand. One comment that resonated with me was one must have tough skin to start a business. Andy Brown mentioned that he was called an idiot by many of his peers when he first began selling frozen pizza. Hence, I will need to be my biggest supporter when no one else sees my vision. In addition, I felt it was helpful learning why each entrepreneur started their business. John Dinkel mentioned that he started his business as an outcome of his sister in law passing away suddenly. When this occurred he questioned if he was living a life of self-fulfillment and joy. As a result, he took the necessary steps to quit his 9 to 5 job to start a life he felt gave him a purpose.
The subject matter of the entrepreneurship panel was very relevant to the material we learn in digital publishing. With the enhancement of technology, one can create a business and establish a brand through sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. At the end of the panel, Andy Brown revealed to me that it is essential to learn the basic fundamentals of business. To clarify, I need to learn accounting and marketing so I won’t have to become dependent on an accountant or brand marketer. In the same token, I must utilize the skills that I learn from digital publishing when it comes to building a website or producing online content because no one will be able to perfectly capture the vision I want. This event specifically connected to my career because my goal is to become an entrepreneur. Currently, I major in Business Administration with a minor in Fashion Merchandising. I feel, learning about entrepreneurship in class does not hold the same value as talking to a group of entrepreneurs. They disclosed personal failures they endured as well as the knowledge they wished they knew prior to starting a business. I believe, the panelist helped reassure me that business is the path I want to pursue. In the words of Andrew Murphy, I am willing to HUSTLE to be successful!