1.     Am I an entrepreneur?

Currently, I am not an entrepreneur.  I have never taken the risk of introducing a new product or service for profit.  In this class, I will begin my journey in becoming an entrepreneur.  I will join a group in this class to come up with a problem that exists in the community, and we will utilize our problem-solving skills to come up with a solution to this problem.  As I read through the first module, there are four phases in becoming an entrepreneur in this course.  The first phase in becoming an entrepreneur is to create a business model, the second phase is start-up and funding planning, the third phase is funding, and the fourth phase is executing the start-up plan.  By the end of this class, I will have completed all four phases in becoming an entrepreneur and I can finally say that I am an entrepreneur.

2.     What is success?

I believe success is accomplishing a task or achieving a goal that is meaningful to me.  In this class, the creation of an innovative product or service that solves problems in our communities is a good example of what success is.  In order to be successful as an entrepreneur, you need the motivating drive to never give up, to succeed, and to overcome any setbacks along the road to achieve your goal.  To succeed in this class, I will set goals to accomplish assigned tasks on my calendar, put in the work to complete all assignments correctly and on time, and keep my motivation up.

3.     Am I a self-starter? How well do I follow through on my ideas?

I am a self-starter.  Four years ago, I made the decision to further my education to pursue a new career in cybersecurity.  In 2019, I returned to college motivated to work full time while being a part-time student at TCC.  I believe I follow through on my ideas pretty effectively because I’m taking my final two semesters at ODU this semester and will graduate with my bachelor’s degree in December.  Being this is my final semester; my motivation is not as high as it was when I first returned to college.  I recognize the importance of staying focused and organized in this final semester to achieve my goal of graduating in December.  To help me follow through my goal of graduating in December I must focus on the present, stay motivated, organized, and maintain effective time-management.

4.     How does ODU view entrepreneurship?

ODU strongly supports and encourages entrepreneurship by offering many courses and programs for students.  For students interested in starting their own business, ODU created the Entrepreneurship and Economic Development division.  ODU gives students access to a variety of resources to help them with entrepreneurship and links students, faculty, and alumni with others who share their interests.  To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, ODU established the Strome Entrepreneurial Center.  This facility provides business startup advice to faculty, alumni, and current students.  In order to promote networking and entrepreneurship, it also features workshops, speakers, and meet-ups.

5.     What is my role in this ecosystem?

In this ecosystem, I have various roles.  As a human, my role in this ecosystem is to preserve our local environment as it impacts all living things.  My responsibilities as a husband and father include protecting my family and giving them food and shelter.  In my profession as a Navy defense contractor, my role is to support the U.S. Navy to defend our freedom, country, and our citizens.  In my pursuit of continuing my education as a college student, my role is to learn, study, and complete all assignments.