1. What are the connections between the disciplines addressing entrepreneurship at ODU?

Entrepreneurs should incorporate many different disciplines into the planning of a business or innovation. Art, Health, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, and Natural Sciences are all disciplines here at Old Dominion that are demonstrably important to an entrepreneur. Businesses need a logo, a brand, and social media. A talented Artist can offer this to your team. Whatever your business decides to make or produce, the health of your employees, consumers, and the environment should all be taken into account. Any business in today’s day world should be equipped with modern technology and a staff member who understands enough computer science to keep the business functioning. It is also important to understand Natural Sciences because things like climate, geography, and weather all affect what and where consumers want to make purchases. The environment can also destroy your equipment through weather and disasters. 

2. Is entrepreneurship an art or science?

The Oxford dictionary defines art as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,” and it defines science as “the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained.” Using these definitions, I believe entrepreneurship is an art that can be studied. While each individual entrepreneur may practice a unique technique or sell something esoteric, the effects and the results can be studied and measured and turned into something more like a science. You might not need a scientist to tell you that ice cream won’t sell in the winter, but the fact that consumers often buy beer and diapers together was observed by the research teams of large stores and it led to a reorganization of most businesses.  

3.     How is failure good?

An article called “Sometimes Learning is Painful” by Chris Loper at tutoring.com described how failure can be good. “Pain is a uniquely strong motivator for learning. It is one way to convince your brain to care.” Chris mentions that when we get hurt either physically or emotionally, our brain will want to avoid that failure in the future. I know that I personally try not to overreact when I fail. I like to think to myself, “should I have seen that coming? Have I made this mistake before?” and if I have made the mistake several times, I tend to have a bigger reaction. I can be fairly forgiving of myself if I make a mistake like a simple accident. 

4.     What have I learned from failing?

I have learned how to talk to people from failing. I have problems managing my emotions, and as a child I could be too distant or too excited and it was often a little off putting to my classmates. I didn’t understand some things about basic hygiene or dressing myself and so I am sure I lost some cool points for smelling bad or wearing uncool clothes. But, I learned from people making fun of me. I am sure there are some people who hear criticism but cannot accept the value of its truth. I learned a lot of things from hearing people say things about me to other people. It wasn’t until just now that I realized I should be grateful for that because I guess enough people liked me that they didn’t want to hurt my feelings by joking on me to my face. 

5.     What ethical issues might arise related to what I am working on?

I do not know what I am working on because my group has not replied to my initial message. I know that I would like to work on my idea for an app. I am trying to protect consumer privacy by offering people a  cheap and simple way to verify their accounts without needing another cell phone. But honestly, I do not know how to achieve this result technologically. So maybe it isn’t the best idea to pursue. In general, a business should be worried about any injuries that could happen on the premises or as a result of a product. A company has to worry about litigation from other competing companies and claims that they may be copying another individual’s intellectual property. Companies need to ensure they are paying their employees fairly and properly, and also that the business itself is classified in the correct category. If I end up working on my app, consumer privacy is a big legal concern. I would be responsible for any and all information customers give me and if I become hacked it would be a legal tornado.