Jeremy's Entrepreneurial Journal

  My attitude towards money is that money is neither good nor bad, but a tool.   An important tool that provides our daily needs, and with an abundance allows us to help others in a variety of ways.   This could be with jobs, charitable giving, time to serve and many others.   Wielded correctly money can be an important tool for individuals, families and the church to fulfill their respective missions.   I think it is important to note that an individual’s view of money can affect the way one lives.   If someone is materialistic then obtaining money could easily be the most important thing in life.   If someone is charitable, then obtaining money will be something that allows that individual to do more charitable work.   If someone is focused on building the Kingdom of God, then money could become a tool that provides more time to serve in the church.   I believe that an attitude towards the purpose of money will affect how it is used. ...

  This week in our Intro to Entrepreneurship class our reading assignments focused on dreaming big dreams.   A couple of important lessons learned with this week’s assignments: 1.       From Harvard Business Publications “The Heart of an Entrepreneur”.   This article examines the differences between administrative and entrepreneurial mindsets and actions.   Clearly both are going to be necessary for a successful business, but the article rightly pointed out that growth and innovation are usually achieved when a leader or leadership in the business or the business culture has the heart of an entrepreneur.   This willingness to push into the risk of the unknown, or create innovative solutions and then make them work lie at the heart of entrepreneurship.   Administrative mindsets are steady, lower risk and pragmatic.   Rather than grow and innovate, maintain.   If starting a business is the goal, administrative management a...

In our Intro to Entrepreneurship class this week, our study material was focused on overcoming obstacles.  As part of the readings, we were assigned a talk from Elder and Sister Holland, then serving as President of BYU: However Long and Hard the Road.   True to most of Elder Holland's speeches, this was very inspiring.  He spoke on many subjects, but his thoughts on the Salt Lake City temple were particularly moving:   "Its grounds would cover an eighth of a square mile, and it would be built to stand through eternity. Who cares about the money or stone or timber or glass or gold they don’t have? So what that seeds are not even planted and the Saints are yet without homes? Why worry that crickets will soon be coming—and so will the United States Army? They just marched forth and broke ground for the most massive, permanent, inspiring edifice they could conceive. And they would spend forty years of their lives trying to complete it." I’ve long marve...

  This week in our Intro To Entrepreneurship class, our topic of study was moving forward with a driving passion.   As a part of the readings this week we were assigned a summary of the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.   I was reminded of how important this book and its principles are, it’s been a long time since I have read it.   The principle/habit of “Think Win/Win” stood out to me this week as perhaps the most meaningful.   Cooperation in a true spirit of win/win seems to have been lost in our society.   Political ideologies, cultural conflicts, religious differences are no longer discussed with respect of each other.   Quite the opposite is true, and automatic intolerance of other’s beliefs now seem to rule the day.    The world needs individuals committed to win/win thinking and action.   Men and women who stand by their principles, but do it in a way that is respectful and in a peaceful way.   C...

  The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Ladder of St. Augustine”   This week our studies in class were titled “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?”.   The readings this week were excellent.   Life tends to be a stern taskmaster, and especially if you aspire to create something of excellence.   The assigned articles were a good reminder that it takes more than an idea or talent to start and run a business.   Significant self mastery, industry knowledge, operational knowledge, planning, market analysis, marketing and salesmanship will all be required and likely more.   The ability to manage all of it and move forward isn’t an easy thing to do.   Time management and discipline in keeping an ideal schedule each week are going to be critical to keep everything working.   It doesn’t take lon...

This week in our Intro to Entrepreneurship class we reviewed a talk entitled The Hero’s Journey.  My interpretation of the premise of the talk is that at the end of life, most people will ask themselves three questions: 1.        Have I contributed something meaningful? 2.       Am I a good person? 3.       And who did I love, and who loved me? What is really interesting to me about these questions is that they could be applied across all spectrums of life.  Those that achieve extraordinary fame or fortunes (or both) and those that led quiet, obscure lives  have I contributed something meaningful? Am I a good person? And who did I love, and who loved me? must face them equally.  It also occurred to me that seeking to contribute something meaningful could be a dangerous quest.  How many on their journey have abandoned the second two questions to obtain some glory that feels...