Communication Skills Entrepreneur Passion

The Right Match

Directions: Find concepts, characteristics, and skills that relate to entrepreneurship. Read each statement. Match the term that best applies to the situation. Write the correct term next to the

statement.

Communication skills Entrepreneur Passion

Confidence Financial concerns Personal commitment

Creativity Flexibility Professional development

Decision-making skills Manager Small-business owner

Determination Open-mindedness Willingness to take risks

“Ecopreneur”

______1. Alicia joined a local chapter of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization to learn moreabout starting her own software design business. She took additional computer

classes and found a mentor to guide her.

______2. Bill gave up time with his friends after school so he could develop clients for hismarketing-research business.

______3. Rebecca learned to paint and sculpt at an early age, and she spent many years developingher artistic talent in her spare time. She opened a small art boutique where

she sells her work. Rebecca’s business developed from something that she enjoys

and finds fulfilling.

______4. Min Ling has a few clients for the small catering business that she took over fromher sister. She wants to keep her working hours to a minimum so she can go to

college. She isn’t interested in expanding her business because she needs time

to study.

______5. Danny’s brother has a birth defect that affects the use of his hands. Danny modifiedan eating utensil so his brother can feed himself easier during meals.

______6. Tasha loves to try new things. She loves a challenge. When she failed at two

previous business ventures, it did not stop her from starting another business.

______7. Nobody thought Fred could make it work. Who would buy this strange newproduct? But Fred made it work. He believed in himself, his talents, his skills,

and his product.

______8. Jamal started a sub shop in his hometown. Within two years, he opened two moresub shops and a catering business.

______9. Annette loves animals. When she started her pet grooming business, she knew thatmany of the pet owners might worry about their pets during the grooming session.

But, Annette has a special way of relating to pet owners, which makes them feel at

ease during their pets’ grooming sessions.

______10. When Chad opened his full-service restaurant, he accepted the fact that thebusiness might fail.

______11. When he had to determine what supplier to use for his export business, Jasontook all the facts, analyzed them, and then acted on them effectively.

______12. Paula’s company ran into some financial difficulties. Instead of limiting her options,she listened to others’ suggestions as to how to get the company back on track.

______13. Jim owns a highly successful grocery store that offers local, regional, andinternational items. Because he is concerned about protecting the environment,

Jim installed solar panels to provide most of the store’s power.

______14. Although he likes to be in charge and tell other people what to do, Luke doesn’tenjoy taking risks and isn’t interested in becoming a business owner.

______15. Jamie enjoys being a freelance writer. Because she is her own boss, she getsto decide when and where she works on her projects.

______16. Due to the economic recession, sales at Kris’s handmade jewelry shop aredown. If her revenue doesn’t pick up soon, Kris will have difficulty paying all

of her bills.

The Tal e of Two Enterprises

Kellen’s Video Venture

Kellen Jefferies dreamed about owning his own business, making lots of money, and living by his own rules.He loved helping hospital patients, but didn’t like having to answer to a supervisor all the time. As a medicaltechnician at the local hospital, he was tired of the daily schedule and routine. One day, he had taken all hecould take. Kellen abruptly quit his job. For a few weeks, he was at a loss as to what to do. To pay a few billsand start a business, he decided to sell the cherished, vintage car that he inherited from his father. He usedthe money to open a video game resale shop. Kellen loved to play PlayStation in his spare time (it helpedreduce his stress levels), so it seemed like a good business to start. The shop was located in an inexpensive,

empty storefront near his neighborhood, where many of the community’s senior citizens lived. As a memberof a bicycling club, Kellen spent several of his weekends on the road. Kellen didn’t have enough money to hirepart-time help, so he closed the store on the weekends that he was gone. However, weekends were the timewhen most of his clientele, school-aged children, wanted to shop for video games. Within the first year, Kellencould not pay his bills, including taxes. The store closed, and Kellen was left with no income.

he Interactive Math Tutor

Math was always Carly Green’s favorite subject in school. When she graduated from college with a degree inMathematics Education, she was ready to teach other students to love math, too. The problem was that Carlycould not find a teaching position in the area where she was living. She decided to be a substitute teacher untilshe could find more permanent employment. After several months of substitute teaching, she was having ahard time making ends meet. She knew she had to do something to increase her income. Several students shetaught had asked her for some extra help in math. She started tutoring students after school. She developed

teaching guides and programs to help her students learn math in ways to accommodate their personal learningstyles. She loved what she was doing and didn’t mind working long hours and weekends. When she wasn’tworking, Carly took some business management and computer classes. Within a year, Carly had expanded hertutoring business. She developed an online tutoring service. It was geared toward working college studentsso that they could receive help around their busy schedules. As an independent consultant, Carly sold someof her teaching guides to a publisher. Because she was earning enough money, Carly left substitute teaching

to devote all of her time to her business.

Discussion Questions

1. What entrepreneurial traits and skills do Kellen and Carly share?

2. What are some traits and behaviors that made Carly’s business more successful?

3. What are some traits and behaviors that led to Kellen’s business failure?

4. How do Kellen and Carly differ in their reasons and approaches to starting a business?