My Entrepreneurial Journey

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...