Chasing Unicorns

Would you agree with me that entrepreneurship can be learned by everyone?

I’m thinking about the essence of entrepreneurship—and asking questions is a kind of brainstorming that brings me closer to an answer. I start with why. Let’s dig deeper and ask other questions: What do entrepreneurs look like? What virtues do they have? What degrees do they graduate with? What else forms them as entrepreneurs? Are they people with a business idea for a future venture? Is an entrepreneurial gene essential for setting up a startup? Curiosity is a good starting point—a good first step—toward entrepreneurship.

My curiosity led me to a new journey, and I joined an MBA program in the field of entrepreneurship for those interested in startup development. Is it an easy path? I don’t think so. It requires skills to think outside the box. I must read challenging books, analyze information, and monitor market trends, but I love it. Lecturers, too, give me food for thought. Being open-minded helps. In addition, I think that if you don’t know where to start, a business degree is a good option. There are, of course, founders without business education, but studying in a business school can help a future entrepreneur to avoid common pitfalls made among startup teams. Most startups never obtain unicorn status because everything has cause and effect; there are actions and results. I never thought that I would be interested in business because I have a strong motivation to be a researcher and an academic teacher.

What is challenging me now? The idea of developing a product or service, providing a valuable commodity that people enjoy using. Creating something that does not yet exist and with the potential to dominate a market and compete with innovative business models. Looking at startups’ histories, we notice that creating requires time. The process—from ideation to execution—can take years. It can be a long, uncertain venture. But I am ready.

Can entrepreneurship be learned by everyone? Yes, and everything depends on you—just awaken the giant within. I am at the beginning of the path which I undertook a few months ago. I have a plan with a list of books to read and reflect on. Now, it is time to execute my plan.