W05 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

This week was awesome regarding what I learned. I had an incredible experience interviewing a friend of mine and learning about how he runs his Thai restaurant. I learned very great lessons from this and also gained a mentor in the process. Joel taught me the importance of creativity in a business. Not just in design, but in finances and how a business is run. He taught me that there are many ups and downs to owning a restaurant but overall, it is a rewarding experience. He taught me that it is important to build good relationships, having people that are available to help you with your business is invaluable. Ultimately, talking with Joel gave me confidence that starting a business is not only possible but can be a successful experience if you are out in the work. I’m excited for my entrepreneurial journey to start. I am looking forward to learning more about restaurants and how to run a successful business. Joel has offered to help me out and mentor me as I create my own business. I know with hard work and his help I can be successful. 

As far as the study goes, I loved learning about conversion from Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I was able to learn about the importance of being converted and when we are we can help others in their conversion.  “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Conversion is what prepares us for Eternal Life. Conversion is all about becoming. We are not going to stand before God on the last day with a list of what we did good or bad. We will be judged on who we became on this earth. 

I liked learning about how inspired and important BYU-Idaho is for developing faithful disciples. Elder Bednar describes it as a “Disciple Preparation Center”.  I am grateful to be attending such a school and getting a better education. I know that the hard work I put into school will prepare me to be a great instrument in the hands of the Lord. I know I can become who he wants me to be by completing my schooling. 

I learned the importance of working with ethical people as an entrepreneur. Frank Levison explains the importance of hiring “nice people”. Ego and resistance to working as a team ruin the environment for everyone. It is important to be careful in choosing who you work with. 

I learned about building trust. Guy Kawasaki explains how trustworthiness happens when “you first of all trust others.” I liked his analogy about “bakers and eaters.” Bakers see the world as an opportunity to serve others and eaters see it as an opportunity to get as much as possible for themselves. Logically it seems like taking care of your needs first will help you out the most in the long run. However, giving and serving others will help you ten times the amount compared to being selfish. If we put others first, naturally we will be taken care of. 

I like learning about the experience of Taylor Richards. He describes how he underestimated himself and his business and never thought being super successful was possible. In his story, he ends up being the number 6 dealer in the nation. I like how he describes himself as “ordinary”. It doesn’t take fame or status to become successful. You can be an average person and have above-average results. It is all about believing in yourself. Don’t underestimate your potential. The sky's the limit. Heavenly Father wants us all to be successful. If you follow his guidance and put in the work you can become what He wants you to be.