Week 2 Reading Reflection

What I found was the biggest surprise for me while reading Chapter 1 was the fact that the GEM data showed 110 million people between 18 and 64 years old were actively engaged in starting a business (pg. 16).  I always believed that the common age for people to start businesses at was closer to the 30 to 50 age.  Reading that people as young as 18 and as old as 64 were starting businesses is surprising for me to see.

One concept that was confusing to me was the "Dynamic States Approach".  The way Figure 1.3 in the textbook depicts this concept does not make it easier for me to understand the meaning of the "Dynamic States Approach".

Question 1: Do you think that the reasoning for such a high percentage of entrepreneurial activity in America has to do with the societal believe and yearning for the American Dream?

Question 2:  Do you believe there will ever be a time when entrepreneurial firms will not be such a great source of American strength?

I would ask these questions because I believe that in the United States now, dating back to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution the economy has always been based on the strength and about of new companies that arise in the U.S.  I believe that this is so because we as a society in the U.S. wish for the American Dream; to be successful, to make a whole lot of money, and to make an impact in this country.

I disagree with the statement that "Most Entrepreneurial Initiatives Fail".  I believe that there are many entrepreneurs out there that succeed at their first attempt at starting a business.  I think that saying "most" is a pretty bold statement.  I don't entirely believe in the corridor principle either.  To say that during every new entrepreneurial venture that is launched there are new opportunities that come about that were unintended is a generalized statement.

Bug List

1. My roommate staying up until 3 am every single night playing video games.
        This bug exists because my roommate probably was used to staying up late at home

2.  The smell of gas on my hands every time I ride my scooter to class.
      This bug exists because I neglected the need to clean my handlebars after that time I spilled gas on my hands

3.  People who do not do their dishes after they are finished eating a meal
      This bug exists because these people, including my roommates weren't taught how to clean up after themselves

4.  People who are so infatuated and obsessed with their social media accounts
      This bug exists because the world that we live in now is centered around technology and social media

5.  Mexican food, especially from Taco Bell
     This bug exists because when I was 5 years old my parents gave me a Taco Bell burrito and I was sick for days after that incident. Ever since then I can't stand Mexican food

6. When a friend calls me and decides to have another conversation with someone else while they are still on the phone with me
      This bug exists because people are not aware of the fact that it is rude and hard to talk to two people at the same time.

7.  When I can't find the remote while I'm laying down
     This bug exists because I've always hated misplacing things

8.  When my girlfriend attempts to finish a story that I am trying to tell her meanwhile she says the wrong things.
      This bug exists because she truly thinks she knows the facts of my stories

9.  When I get a stain on my clothing no matter how small or large this stain may be
     This bug exists because I always want to look presentable

10.  Rude people who don't hold doors for you or say hello when they see you in my hometown of New York City
       This bug exists because everyone who grows up in NYC has that sort of "street smart" mentality

11.  When my roommate decides to play loud music when I am trying to complete this "Bug List"
       This bug exists because he does know how to be respectful and courteous to the fact that I am doing homework.

12. People who talk over the professor in class while I am trying to take notes
       This bug exists these people obviously do not care about the needs of the other students in the lecture hall.

13.  Long waiting times for a seat for 2 at Carrabba's on a Saturday night.
      This bug exists because of the large amount of people that have decided to go out for dinner on a Saturday night.

14.  People who tell me that I will not be able to accomplish my dream of becoming the President of the United States.
      This bug exists because these people are simple minded and are complacent with their lives as they are

15.  Store bought baked products
       This bug exists because growing up I've always been used to homemade desserts

16.  The smell of nail polish
       This bug exists because I remember how my mother used to apply nail polish to her fingers during long car rides to a family party or gathering

17.  The New York Yankees
       This bug exists because I am a die hard New York Mets fan and the rest of my family are all Yankee fans

18.  Getting my brand new sneakers dirty when I walk outside
       This bug exists because I've always liked to keep my appearance nice and clean

19.  People who claim that they are better than me at a sport or an activity
       This bug exists because of the fact that I am overly confident and invest in my own capabilities and talents

20.  When my contact rips while I am in class and ready to take an exam
       This bug exists because I always forget to properly clean my contacts


I found the task of thinking about at least 20 things that "bug" me extremely difficult.  Sitting here and going into my thoughts about what bothers me on a day to day basis is definitely not something that I have done before.  I believe that it is very challenging to actually  delve into your own feelings  because I never have time to do so.  This list was eye opening and helped me think about what I believe is good and what I believe is wrong or annoying.

My Entrepreneurship Story

In Sixth grade my two closest friends and me started a "business" where we sold bottle caps in the school yard during recess.  These bottle caps were used for a new game that we created one day in the school yard.  We called the game  "Cap Hockey" and it instantly sparked a lot of people's interest.  We began to think that we were huge business moguls and we began to produce these bottle caps for people to buy everyday during school.  Business was booming and we even created executive  positions in the "company".  After a while we started hiring more and more kids to do the selling for us and we even payed them.  Unfortunately this was the greatest point of the company because after Sixth grade we gave up the "business".


I enrolled in this course because I've always wanted to run my own business one day.  When I came across this class during registration I became interested in what it had to offer.  I read the description and I knew that this class would teach me very valuable things that I can use the in the future.  I hope to take what I will learn in this course and apply it to my own goals and aspirations of creating my own business. I am looking forward to a great semester and having a great experience in this course.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Brandon Ewing.  I'm from New York City and I have lived there for basically my entire life.  I am currently a Political Science major with a minor in Business. Unfortunately,  I haven't traveled out of the country, but I've always wanted to and hopefully I get the chance to in the near future.  I am very into sports, in which I played four years of football and baseball in high school.  Now I currently play for the UF Club Baseball team and that has been a great experience for me so far.  Ever since I was in kindergarten I have said that my dream is to become the President of the United States and that still is my dream.  I have always been goal driven and very passionate about being successful in everything that I do.

Thank You

Entrepreneur's Mantra