Serial Entrepreneurs – Too Many Ideas to Settle on One

Entrepreneurs can be seen on a bell curve.  Many entrepreneurs conceive one idea and devote all of their time and effort to this single venture.  Other entrepreneurs undertake a couple of business endeavors over their career.  Then there are serial entrepreneurs.  Serial entrepreneurs are the rare individuals who originate a wealth of pursuits and seem to jump from one business to another.

There are positive and negative aspects to being a serial entrepreneur.  Of course some people are brimming with brilliant money making ideas.  They may find they are able to make more money from involvement in multiple businesses than they would earn from engagement with one.  These individuals often need an outlet for their creativity as well and are only content when occupied with several projects.

Although being a serial entrepreneur can be financially rewarding and intellectually stimulating, the work of a serial entrepreneur can also be challenging and disappointing.  If you decide to launch more than one business make sure not to neglect any of your ventures.  Being a serial entrepreneur is time and attention consuming. Although it is often helpful to appropriate to others your responsibilities at different businesses, be aware of the involvement each project still needs.  In addition, know when it is the correct time to shut down a business.  Understand that many small businesses need a couple of years to get on their feet and take off, but don’t let your time and resources be drained by a pursuit that will never be lucrative.

Do you frequently find yourself brainstorming new and exciting business ideas?  You may have what it takes to be a serial entrepreneur.  With enough creativity, perseverance and luck you can start more than just one of your dream businesses.

Babson College offers entrepreneurial courses

Babson College is offering three new Summer Study Programs for outstanding high school students starting this summer 2011.

High-achieving teens entering their junior or senior year in high school may take one of two courses in a seven-week, residential program from July 5 – August 19.

* Babson Entrepreneur Development Experience: for the current or aspiring entrepreneur who wants to discover how to fit his/her business idea into the greater world picture through lessons of corporate citizenship and business development.

* Babson Idea Generation Program: for the aspiring changemaker who wishes to create innovative, real-world solutions to social, economic, and environmental issues — now. The student must want to develop his/her problem-solving skills and work in a challenging and fun team environment.

Tuition for either course is $7,380 and includes housing, meals, activities, and 4 college credits.

Each of these courses is taught by top-ranked faculty in a challenging campus environment. Students will earn 4 college credits and they may opt to take a second 3-credit class in courses that may include: macroeconomics, accounting, business law, calculus, printmaking or a foundation class in arts & humanities. They will differentiate themselves from their peers for college applications and have the opportunity to build their network in meeting with business leaders and industry experts, all while exploring the city of Boston.

High-achieving teens entering their sophomore year in high school may participate in a one week nonresidential experience from June 27 – July 1.

* Service Learning Experience: a non-residential program for rising sophomores who are passionate about social outreach and want to spend their summer experience helping some of the world’s biggest changemakers locally to make an immediate difference. No college credits are earned for this program.

Tuition for Service Learning Experience is $400 including materials and lunch.

Babson’s Summer Study Programs for High School Students provide a living/learning laboratory for students to focus on applying and advancing their knowledge in business and entrepreneurship. In this collaborative community, students will gain the tools and experience to impact and reshape organizations, industries and the world. Each program will introduce students to Babson’s way of Entrepreneurial Thought and Action and provide resources and strategies for students to think about company and world issues through their classes, cases, speakers and scheduled activities.

The application deadline is March 1, 2011. For more information visit: www.babson.edu/summerstudy.

Babson College in Wellesley, Mass., is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education. Babson grants BS degrees through its innovative undergraduate program, and grants MBA and custom MS and MBA degrees through the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Babson Executive Education offers executive development programs to experienced managers worldwide. For information, visit www.babson.edu.