Voices
{ Alumni entrepreneurs share their experience }
What are the challenges of running your own business ?
Jose : Is there a short list ? For a small business I think not . Every day is a challenge ; ( the restaurant industry ) is one of the toughest as a sole proprietor . Margins are low , demand is volatile – restaurants are the first to suffer when the economy dips . Work days are long and forget vacations . If you want to see your business thrive , it is vital that you give 200 percent .
Ryan : Initially , learning to properly evaluate and bid on projects , so as to not shoot ourselves in the foot . You learn a new lesson with each project , and learn not to repeat mistakes .
Also , wearing the many “ hats ” required to run a business . We take on all the roles required , which include not only managing and building the projects , but also acting as bookkeeper , lawyer , accountant , marketing and sales reps , IT / systems admins , and so much more .
Robert : The challenges are financing . With the downturn in the economy , many investors are looking for more safe-bet films , films with named actors attached , and that ’ s great . But the result has been that it ’ s harder to build a career when you need a named actor attached to your project to get it made . It requires that you may decide on someone known rather than someone right for the part .
How did your education prepare you ?
Jose : After my graduation , I proposed to my family that I had gained the tools to build this new concept and that I was now qualified to be the primary decision maker . CSUMB prepared me with an understanding of how to implement our vision and use business strategies to build our brand and position ourselves in a tough market .
J . P .: I had the opportunity to come to college and study environmental science . I became interested in organic farming after learning and seeing the negative effects of pesticides on the environment and our bodies . Since my family has a background in farming it just seemed like the right path to take .
CSUMB was the key element to our decision to grow organic . Earth Systems Science & Policy lead us to a more sustainable and earth friendly way of growing produce . It gave me the knowledge to make decisions while considering how all parties may be affected .
Dana : When I went back to school , my goal was to acquire skills that built upon my strengths – people , writing and technology . I ’ m now working in Internet marketing that requires content writing with a focus on people and a need for backend technology and code . I also do a lot of training in my work . Having the opportunity to teach web design after I graduated and many of the skills learned studying instructional technology were invaluable .
What ’ s the best part of the job ?
J . P .: Everything ! I like the farming aspect , I like packing with my brother and listening to music , driving my van while eating a basket full of organic strawberries , delivering to people ’ s houses ( even if I have to run away from dogs )... Everyday is different .
Dana : The people . I get to work with a wide range of people and learn a lot about diverse industries . I get a chance to work my strengths and outsource my weaknesses . I ’ m able to work from home and collaborate with those who work with me remotely . I travel to meet with clients and to attend and speak at industry conferences . I ’ m networked with a number of incredibly smart people who challenge me regularly , and I ’ m constantly learning .
Greg : I can ’ t sit still . I hate sitting at a desk . This job allows me to be at a different locale every few hours . I see the coast in the morning and the strawberry fields in the afternoon . It ’ s pretty cool .
What advice do you have for others who might be thinking about starting a business ?
Greg : Find a niche that you can sell . And just do it . Do it now . Don ’ t wait until you are financially secure or have a perfect business plan . Because you know what ? That time will never come . You will blink , and in a flash you will have a house , wife and child . Then what are you going to do ? Start a business that “ might ” fail and lose your livelihood ? No , of course not . Start it now while you are young and don ’ t mind crashing couches , eating ramen , and have no real responsibilities .
Robert : I think when you start a business , you have to know it ’ s something you will love to do , rather the thinking about the immediate financial gain . We are three years into this business and still building . But I look towards the future of what we will be able to do – I think you need that , because it does take years to build a strong , sustainable business .
Ryan : Choose partners that you trust like family . Get a good and thorough accountant . Have predetermined definitions of success and failure . Have an exit plan . Be prepared to work long hours , as running a business involves a lot of time spent on tasks aside from the work itself . And stretch a lot ... we ’ re not built to spend 12 hours a day in a chair .
Read extended interviews with the entrepreneurs and get more advice on starting a business at csumb . edu / magazine .
– Liz MacDonald the magazine of CSU Monterey Bay
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