10
TIPS FOR
STARTING A
BUSINESS IN COLLEGE
by Britteny Cash
It’s crazy to think that it all started as a class assignment:
Write a business plan for a company you would like to start.
Like some students I pursued entrepreneurship while I
was still in college and I can honestly say it may have been
one of my best decisions! It might seem like a risky move,
but it’s actually the best time to do it most college students
generally don’t have children, mortgages, or jobs to risk, so
failing is just another lesson learned.
5. Leverage relationships with your friends AND professors.
6. Participate in school-sponsored networking/entrepreneurship events.
7. Use your social media!!!!!!
8. Don’t fear failure.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
10. Get creative, think outside the box, & have fun with
whatever you decide.
Possible Start-Up Ideas: Start a blog, Barber/Hair Stylist,
Car Detailing, Online Business, DJ, Lawn Care, Cleaning
Service, Web Design & App Creation, Graphic Design, or
Computer Repair
About the Author
I went to college with the idea I wanted to be a nurse. Turns
out I decided to make business and everything surrounding it my career path. I was so excited about business that
I started a laundry business. I ran it my junior and senior
years of college. My passion for entrepreneurship continued to grow and I ended up starting a second business my
senior year, a cooking business.
After graduating with a degree in management-entrepreneurship and a minor in marketing I stayed in the Hampton Roads because I received a great full-time offer in my
field and honestly I wasn’t ready to just rely on my income
from my businesses. Now none of this came easy and I
think that was part of the reason I didn’t want to step out
and become a full-time entrepreneur, because I knew that
just a quick as the success came I could be gone just like
that. There were so many days that I just wanted to say forget everything and quit. What was my saving grace is me
learning how to prioritize and planning a day to do things.
It saved me a huge headache and time from trying to get
things done at this last minute. Another thing that helped
me was I wasn’t afraid to ask for help. My friends help me
take orders and make deliveries. It really is true when they
say teamwork makes the dream work!
If you’re a college student looking to launch a business, here
are 10 tips to help you find success.
1. Find a mentor or expand on a hobby/interest you
already have.
2. Compare your financing options & Build a realistic
budget.
3. Test out your ideas (use all those people around you).
4. Take advantage of your status as a student.
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I graduated from Old Dominion University
in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business
Management and minor in Marketing. I currently own 3 successful businesses and am always
looking for a new way to add another source of
income. In January of this year when I started
my company, Mac Consulting. I set a goal to help
100 clients successfully start their own business and 10 people that I know personally at no
charge. I moved back to Richmond- (my hometown) at the end of 2015 (as some of you may
know if you follow the IG account) because I love
the city I am from and want nothing more than
for the people in that city to succeed at whatever
it is they want to in life, and if I can help make
that possible then I’m all for it! I am about ¾ of
the way to accomplishing my goal and the year is
just over halfway done.