Graduation season is almost here, and I’m sure just like myself, seniors across the country are in a frenzy trying to apply to different graduate schools, solidify job opportunities, or just figure out what the heck we are going to do with our lives, once we walk across that stage.
From the time we stepped foot on campus as freshmen, to now, I’m sure most of us have experienced this sort of lingering pressure from our family and friends, to go off to college, get our degree(s), and land an amazing job with great benefits.
Briogeo Founder Nancy Twine Reveals Her Tips on Becoming an Entrepreneur in 2016
Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing out of order with this picture. But, what if you wanted more? What if instead of working for someone, you took the lead as your own boss, and created your own opportunities?
For young college students, entrepreneurship is typically “the road less travelled” because it requires a lot of resources, sacrifices and the outcome may not always be definite. But, for those who do choose to go against the grain, there is an opportunity to change the world for the better, and inspire greatness.
Are you up for the challenge?
If you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, here are a few traits that you should consider developing, in order to be a successful business owner:
Confidence
The fact of the matter is that most people are not going to understand your vision, and they will probably try to talk you out of pursuing it. But, you have to be so passionate and sure of the success of your brand that no one can steer you off your path for greatness. And, everyone who you come in contact with should know about your business, and you should carry yourself like the boss that you are every single day.
Determination
Being an entrepreneur is not easy. Trust me, there will be days when you will cry uncontrollably, and feel like you want to throw in the towel. But, you CAN’T! Never give up on your dreams, and do whatever is legal and necessary to make it happen.
Creativity
Entrepreneurship is all about creating something out of nothing. You have to learn how to gain inspiration from your environment, and use that to encourage the growth of your business.
Avid Learner
As a business owner, you should be ahead of the curve in your industry. You should never rest on the knowledge that you have currently, but always be eager to learn more to further the success of your company. Becoming a lifelong learner helps you to develop into a well-rounded individual, and provide the best resources to your audience.
Risk Taker
If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to put all of your fears aside, and just go for it! More often than not, you will make decisions on a whim, and your outcome could be a hit or a miss. But, to be successful you have to just put your best foot forward and try.
Malia Brown (@iammaliatyler) is an ESSENCE College Ambassador, writer and on-air personality. She attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and majors in Political Science and Journalism. She reports on beauty, pop culture, and lifestyle news.