ENT 3003
University of Florida
My Entrepreneurship Story
I have been an entrepreneur since I was a teenager. Some would say it could even be destiny. I worked with my father growing up, who owned a locksmith company, like his dad did. I started washing cars and doing yard work in my neighborhood when I was 13. I designed flyers and business cards and walked around my neighborhood, going door to door, asking home owners if I could provide these services. In High School, I created monthly magazines that I took around and sold to my classmates and also paid people that had artistic skills to make drawings for me that I sold for a mark up.
I then started a web design agency at the age of 18, which I grew into a rather successful business until I was 22 and I sold it to an employee I had at the time. I proceeded to do 1099 legal insurance sales for a MLM company for 4 years, achieving the top levels in that organization. When I finally became tired of that venture, I started a new marketing company (4 years ago). I have since grown that agency into a powerhouse in Charleston, with 300 companies that we either created the branding for or created websites for. I have grown my staff to 6 with 4 production employees specializing in the 4 areas of digital marketing. I have also launched 2 local Not for Profits, Great Business Networking and the North Charleston Chamber of Commerce.
I enrolled in ENT 3003 because this is what I live and breathe every day. It is the only thing I could consider doing after so many years of doing it. During the periods that I was changing my companies or in start up mode, I would work for others (waiting tables, being a deputy sheriff, and some others). What I have repeatedly come to know, is that I am psychologically unemployable. I'd prefer a broke day as a business owner any day over being an employee of anywhere, well other than maybe being in marketing for UF. I hope to learn an academic prospective of being an entrepreneur in that I may improve my operations, company structures, or other things that I may not know from just being a doer my entire life without a collegiate education.
Hey Alan, what a great life story. By reading this post I soon became interested in knowing more from you. I am excited to read more about your thoughts and aspirations as the semester progresses. For both nonprofits that you have started, are they 501c3? I would love to know more about how you started them.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, this was a great post hearing about all the kids you did as an entrepreneur at a young age. Starting young is ideal because I believe it helps you grow and gain confidence as an entrepreneur as you get older. Not only did you gain the confidence, but it seems you gained great experience since you worked with your dad as well. What a story!
ReplyDeleteHey Francisco,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your interest. They are actually 501c6's, which are Business Leagues. They are very similar to starting a for profit business with the 2 major exceptions- you have to have a filed bylaws document and you have to have a board of directors. The Board of Directors actually control the organization, similar to an IPO.
To start businesses and move on to others only to gain more success in the next, is truly a talent. You are living the “American dream”. The dedication to not be content with where you are is admirable. In my coming years I plan to not be content with wherever I am, and intend to leave a legacy not only to my future children but to humanity as a race. I believe it is the responsibility of humans to ensure the human race for tomorrow.
ReplyDelete