Mark, what did you learn/read/do to become an entrepreneur?

[Thenewguy]

To keep it simple, I've been studying business since december. Reading all the books on getting rich I can while actively trying to weed through the ones that might be bullshit based on reviews. Basically it said I should start a business and revise the system enough that it could without me then franchise or use profits to invest in other ventures.

I feel like I am fully capable of learning the science behind business through books and classes to where I can grow and manage one. But in a world where it has become the information age. It seems its hard to become financially independent (having money working for you without you physicially working) without being a computer wiz and/or knowing heaps of programming (which would take YEARS) to make digital products/services. (The IDEA of the business I mean.)

I'm a second semester sophomore in college right now and I want to be able to have something in my name regarding business by the time I graduate. The issue is not the science, but the art. I can't see myself coming up with a good idea/service to get my journey to financial wealthiness on the road. I don't have any desire to be anything else. I want to be financially independent to travel the world and see everything life has to offer like you, before I even knew you were doing it, where I don't have an obligation to get up in the morning to work for someone else. I want to be in control of my life. So my question is, where can I go to figure out how I can find an idea to complete my plan if you have any suggestions on websites, books, places, etc. Please?

[Mark]

I don't have the time to go into detail on this... but there's an article on me here: http://www.emergingmarketcareers.com/eme...rk-manson/

I'll also say that, very much like pick up, it's about doing it, not reading about it. I learned about business because I had to, not because I planned to. Guys were emailing me wanting to be coached and I needed to figure out how to put a website up and get people to look at it. From there I needed to figure out how to find new prospects. From there I needed to find out how to sell a book. Everything I learned was IN RESPONSE to a need. I rarely, if ever, sat down and studied something for the sake of studying it. And the few periods where I did do that, I can honestly say, not much came from it.

I'd say find a good business idea, then put it into action, put SOMETHING into action: [url="http://postmasculine.com/do-something"]http://postmasculine.com/do-something

[/url]I may do a big post one day on my entrepreneurial journey. I still feel like it's no where near over. I feel like I'm JUST reaching the point of competence. Most of the money I've made has been on the back of simply writing better content than most other people in my niche.

[Thenewguy]

Thanks man, I really appreciate the advice you and your article said. It seems the best way to stay motivated to keep working toward a sustaining business is to make sure the service is something you love, not just making sure the market is ripe for it or simply thinking about the eventual goal. This is why I am trying to move from Maryland to New York next semester, to try everything. Since New York is a big city, there are many different activities to try and see what interests me. Not only giving me a passion in life, but a possible spark for a business venture.

I also really appreciate the fact that even though you're not (directly?) getting money from it, you come on the forums and help people out. This truly shows that you love what you do, which greatly helps your success in the long run. I wish you luck.

I too absolutely can NOT see myself working for someone or climbing some corporate ladder and have to work under someone else's whim. This is why I spend sleepless nights studying business. So that when I DO find an idea, I will be able to implement it skillfully, and of course, eventually not have it control my life just as any other job would.