Wetcoaster Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 See past threads on this subject: /topic/276028-calling-on-all-entrepreneurs/page__p__9847279#entry9847279">http://forum.canucks.com/topic/276028-calling-on-all-entrepreneurs/page__p__9847279#entry9847279 /topic/297006-how-do-you-create-youre-own-email-domain/page__p__9436337#entry9436337">http://forum.canucks.com/topic/297006-how-do-you-create-youre-own-email-domain/page__p__9436337#entry9436337 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeak Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Another suggestion - listen to anything Wetcoaster says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucks_dynasty Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 I have friends who own their own company. So here's a short story... Friend #1) It was his father's store. It was good money but small. He took over. Works 6 days a week at 10hrs a day for the past 20yrs. He's since expanded to other cities and is pretty well off. But he's married to his job. No wife. No kids. No pets. Friend #2) Worked for a company for a few yrs. Became sort of like a right hand man. Convinced his boss to sell the company to him. Took on a HUGE debt load. He's smart and driven and grew the business. Almost went bankrupt with his expansion. But he's rich now and diversifies his money (property, stocks, etc). Has a wife and kids. Friend #3) Started a cafe with his buddies. Didn't have a business plan nor exit plan. Now after 3 yrs of making no money...he wants out. But his buddies don't want to give up just yet. Just got married and has a baby. Got a full-time job elsewhere now and works part-time at the cafe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offensive Threat Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Be prepared to fail. Most small businesses do. Read the bio of most big money success stories and you will find a few early failures in their past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixwings Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 UVic has got a strong entrepreneurship program. I have some friends who were in it and they said it was really good, some of them started businesses straight out of university that are going quite well. If that's something that interests you it's worth looking into. I'm dubious about the benefits of a 4 year program focused on entrepeneurship. It seems like if you have a good idea, you need to start it and figure it out as you go. Although a ski/snowboard shop isn't going anywhere, so taking a few years learning how to create a sustainable business may not be a terrible idea. My brother started a business, and while he's doing REALLY well, it has taken a toll on him. When you own a business, it's no longer a job, it's no longer 9-5 or something you can leave at the office. For a business to succeed, it needs to be part of you, and consume you. My brothers business is a part of him, there is never a minute off. And while he's wildly successful and rich, it has definitely taken a toll on his life. He does however love the company and loves his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Heffy Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 For courses, I'd recommend a basic course in accounting and one in marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanKeslord17 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 If you don't mind me asking, where are you doing Computing Science? Just wanna know as I'm going into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverpig Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 If you find programming easy, then keep with compsci and do a tech startup. The nice thing is you can start it part time for next to zero cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armada Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 If you don't mind me asking, where are you doing Computing Science? Just wanna know as I'm going into that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 http://www.bdc.ca/en/Pages/home.aspx#.UHYpYURreOg Business Development Bank of Canada. A federal government corporation, good for developing capital. Not sure if it has the resource material it used to have. But do your homework. Make sure you've got a good base to work with and a product or service that has demand. As Goalie13 said be prepared to lose money year one, break even year two and in year three then you might finally get a profit. My brother started small but had a good and at that time untapped area to start his business in. He's well off now, and even with some reversals in his business he's still going strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:D Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 They'll be a market for repairing holodecks in the future. Get in on the ground floor of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution10 Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I've also thought about starting a business in the future, came across this topic and just wanted to say thanks for the useful links everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Do not open a restaurant. 90 % die within a year of the 10% left 90 % of them are gone by the end of year 2. For quite awhile you will make very little money so it is critical to keep your costs down.Even an extra trip to and from the post office can make a difference. $5 here and $ 2 there can add up and before you know it you're looking at real expenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Commerce, Business, or the elusive Computer Commerce degree. They will all be of assistance in what you are looking for and give you some flexibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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