30A-Final Reflection

1. This semester has been so much fun. I started off thinking I was going to start up a seafood restaurant/ craft brewery and it turned into making access ramps for the elderly and disabled. Some of the best moments for me were getting to read the feedback from my peers. I always looked forward to peer reviews so I could see what each person had to say about my posts. I truly could not have asked to be put into a better group. Though I never got to meet any of my peers I felt as if we connected over the semester by helping one another out. The moment that I really dreaded was when I sent the professor a e-mail about my initial idea of the restaurant/brewery and did not receive the positive feedback I was hoping for. I was nervous because that was my set idea and I had to sit back and really think of a problem and how I could solve it or make the solution even better.

2. I don't have one true moment that sticks out the most. I will remember the lectures that took place and how open and honest the professor was. He never sugar coated anything and he made it very clear that it is not always easy to start a business and though you may think you have some great idea there is always someone out there hoping to do the same thing but better. Truthfully, the most joyous experience throughout the course was all of the positive feedback I received. It kept me motivated and not afraid to really voice how I wanted my business to proceed. I was most proud of starting from nothing and coming up with this business plan and watching it come to life. I was able to make connections, enhance my problem solving skills, and all around realize that there is never a reason to fear failure.

3. In the beginning of this course I was interested in entrepreneurship but wasn't sure if I had the type of mindset necessary to become one. After a lot of hard work and really putting myself out there throughout this entire course I can now say I feel confident in calling myself a entrepreneur. I've learned what it takes to get out there even when it means leaving your comfort zone in order to succeed. I feel like as each week went by I continued to gather more and more tools that I will be able to utilize in the future. I look forward to seeing where my life goes from here and I truly can thank this course for that.

4. For students that are going to be in my shoes in the future I would recommend that they come into this course with a open mind. If they are not willing to take criticism about their idea or able to make changes then they are not going to be successful. I would also recommend that they watch each lecture because trying to teach yourself throughout this course is not going to be beneficial. Lectures can take some time but in order to gain the knowledge you will need they are very important. Students need to be open to learn from their peers and not afraid to help them out. It isn't always easy to point out things that you think a person may need to work on or could be better but you are helping that person grow and your criticism could be the aha moment they have been waiting for. This course offers so much and if you are willing to take it all in with a positive attitude you will succeed and learn a lot while doing it.