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Final Reflection: Built to Finish

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  Embracing the Message of Completion This week’s reading, “Finishers Wanted” by President Thomas S. Monson, was a fitting conclusion to this course. It emphasized that what truly matters is not just how we begin, but how we finish our journeys. This idea encapsulates the core lessons I’ve gathered over the past 14 weeks. Growth in Understanding Entrepreneurship At the outset, I believed entrepreneurship was primarily about innovative ideas and taking risks. Now, I understand it’s about having a vision, preparing diligently, and shaping the kind of person I want to become. Lessons like Jim Ritchie’s “Peak Performance” highlighted the importance of crafting a life plan and identifying personal values. Writing “I am” statements, such as “I am financially self-reliant” and “I am mentally tough,” made me realize that I can prepare for life’s challenges in the same way athletes prepare for competition. Lessons from Tom Monaghan Tom Monaghan’s story was particularly impactful...
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Gratitude as a Foundation for Growth

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  Week 13 Blog: This week’s focus on gratitude helped me take a step back and see how far I’ve come, not just in this course but in life overall. It’s easy to get so caught up in progress, plans, and problems that we forget to pause and appreciate the blessings and lessons we’ve already received. The readings and videos reminded me that gratitude isn’t just about saying thank you. It’s about recognizing the good that comes from every part of the journey, even the difficult parts. One idea that really stood out to me was that gratitude is something we choose. In one of the videos, the speaker said that success doesn’t bring gratitude. Instead, gratitude brings success. That really made me think. I realized that when I focus too much on what’s missing or what isn’t going right, I start to feel stuck. But when I shift my focus to what’s already going well, even if it’s small, I feel more motivated and capable. As my husband and I continue preparing to start our business, I’ve had m...
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Becoming a Change-Maker

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  W12 Blog Post:  This week’s topic on becoming a changemaker really got me thinking about the kind of business I want to help build with my husband and family. One of the main takeaways from the article What’s a Business For? was how important it is to have virtue and integrity in business. It made me realize that trust is what keeps an economy running. Without it, everything becomes harder. People hesitate to work together, deals fall apart, and progress slows down. You can’t build anything that lasts if people can’t count on your word or your intentions. I liked what Charles Handy said about the real purpose of a business. He explained that the goal isn’t just to make money, but to earn a profit so that you can do something meaningful with it. That perspective hit home for me. The reason we’re building a real estate and construction business is not just to make a living. We want to create something that supports our family, gives us the freedom to work together, and help...
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Measuring the Real Cost

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  W11 Blog Post: This week in BUS110, the focus was on “measuring the cost” not just the obvious financial costs, but the emotional, relational, and even spiritual ones that come with the choices we make as entrepreneurs and future business owners. One thing that stuck with me from the mini-case assignment was how often we’re put in situations where both options have a cost. Sometimes it’s not a matter of right or wrong, but deciding which sacrifice we’re willing to live with.   That idea really hit me as I thought about balancing business with family life. In one of the cases, the entrepreneur had to choose between being at his daughter’s dance recital or closing a big deal with a client. That’s the kind of decision that’s not just about money, it’s about values, priorities, and what kind of life you’re building. I know in my own life, time with my family is something I can’t get back once it’s gone. It made me ask myself, “What kind of entrepreneur do I want to be, and w...
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How Big are Your Dreams

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 Blog Post Week 10: This week’s theme, Dream Big Dreams, really hit home for me, especially after writing my interview paper about Sam, a young entrepreneur who took bold steps at an age when most people are still figuring things out. The timing of the lesson couldn’t have been better. I’ve always had big dreams of starting a business with my husband, something that brings together his construction experience and my background in business and real estate. But I’ve often found myself holding back, waiting for the “right time” or the “perfect plan.”   One of the biggest takeaways from this week’s materials was the reminder that we don’t need to wait until all the stars align. In fact, most successful entrepreneurs don’t. They start with what they have, where they are, and grow from there. That message helped me look at our goals from a more practical angle. Instead of trying to figure everything out at once, I can start focusing on the small steps: researching our local mark...
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Disciple Leadership and Higher Ground

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  Week 9 blog post: This week’s focus on Disciple Leadership really made me think about the kind of leader I want to become, not just in business, but in my home and community too. One message that stood out came from Guy Kawasaki’s talk on trust. He explained that trust begins with us. We have to be the first to trust others if we want that trust returned. That really hit home, especially as my husband and I prepare to build our real estate and contracting business. I want our company to operate with integrity, where people know they can rely on us, not just for the work, but for how we treat them.   One part that really caught my attention was Carly Fiorina’s point about how strong leaders ask the right questions. It made me think differently about what leadership actually looks like. Sometimes we assume leaders need to have all the answers, but often it's more about being willing to listen, learn, and figure things out as you go. Her insight into customer satisfaction, ...
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Facing Challenges Head-On

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  Week 08 Blog Post:  This week’s focus on dealing with challenges felt really familiar. It’s something I’m living through. Between raising a big family, finishing my business degree, and planning to launch a real estate and contracting business with my husband, life is already full of moving parts. Some days it feels like there’s not enough time or energy to do it all, and those are the moments when doubt tries to creep in.   But what stood out to me this week is that challenges aren’t a sign we’re off track. They’re actually part of the journey. Every successful entrepreneur has faced setbacks. What makes the difference is how they respond. That reminder helped me rethink the way I look at hard days. Instead of asking, “Why isn’t this working?” I’ve started asking, “What can I learn from this?” or “How do I keep moving forward?” Shifting that mindset has helped me stay grounded, especially when I feel overwhelmed by all the things competing for my attention. I al...
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