My Entrepreneurial Journey

 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...

  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, ...

  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...

  Blog Post-Week 7: Fueling Passion with Purpose—The Power of Habit This week’s focus on Moving Forward with a Driving Passion helped me reflect deeply on how much intentionality matters when it comes to living a meaningful and purpose-driven life. Out of all the 7 Habits discussed, the one that impacted me most was “Begin with the End in Mind.” As a busy mom, student, and someone working toward building a family-centered business, I’m constantly juggling a lot. This habit reminded me how important it is to pause and ask myself not just what I’m doing, but why I’m doing it. When I begin with the end in mind, whether it's finishing my degree, launching a business with my husband, or being the kind of parent my kids need, my efforts feel more connected and grounded. It helps me filter out distractions and focus on what actually aligns with my long-term vision. It’s easy to get caught up in urgent tasks or just go through the motions, but this habit pulls me back to what matters...

  Blog Post-Week 6 This week’s focus on entrepreneurship felt incredibly personal. Not just because I’m studying business or planning to launch a company with my husband and son, but because it reminded me that building a business isn’t just about profits or products. It’s about people. It’s about purpose. One of the most powerful things I took away was the reminder that time is our most valuable asset. In Wences Casares’s talk, he said, “The one most valuable thing doesn’t matter how much money you have... is your time.” That stuck with me. As a wife, mother of six, full-time worker, and student, I feel that truth every single day. How I invest my time reflects what I value most. And while I have big dreams for our future real estate and construction business, I know I don’t want to sacrifice what matters most to achieve them. Steve Blank talked about setting rules so that the demands of entrepreneurship don’t consume everything else, especially family life. I loved his example...

  Blog Post – Week 05 This week’s focus on Mastery—Skill, Character, or Luck? really got me thinking about how success actually comes together. At first, I probably would’ve said skill and maybe luck play the biggest roles. But the more I studied and reflected, the more I realized that character—especially things like humility, persistence, and a willingness to learn—might be what really makes someone stand out in the long run.   The Spreading Happiness case was a perfect example. Erica Mills didn’t build her greeting card business overnight, and she definitely didn’t do it just by getting lucky. She paid attention to the people around her, asked for feedback, and actually used it to improve. That takes confidence and humility, which isn’t always easy when you’re the one putting your work out into the world. I could really relate to that. I’m someone who likes to plan and do things "the right way," but sometimes that gets in the way of just starting and learning as I go. M...

 Measuring My Life with Intention-Week 4 This week’s focus, “How Will You Measure Your Life?”, gave me the opportunity to slow down and truly reflect on what kind of life I want to build, not just in terms of career goals, but in how I live out my values and support my family. The Life Plan Core Value Statement was one of the most meaningful exercises. It helped me identify the principles I want to guide my decisions, and it reminded me that a fulfilling life is built on integrity, balance, and purpose, not just busyness or external success. One of the most personal parts of the week was completing the Deconstructing Your Fears Worksheet. I centered it on a business plan my husband and I are developing. With his experience as a general contractor and my desire to earn a real estate license, we hope to start a business together buying, building, and selling homes. Writing about that dream forced me to look at the fears I’ve quietly carried: financial instability, failure, the un...