Week 2 My Entrepreneurship Story

My Entrepreneurship Journey

I have spent my entire life dreaming – dreaming of being someone, being successful, being significant. Growing up it seemed that everyone who was anyone were entrepreneurs, and so I have literally spent some of every day wondering how I too, could be an entrepreneur and make a difference in the world. I grew up with a strong sense of values and I wanted nothing more than to build for the next generation. 

I have had the privilege of having close relationships with many entrepreneurs throughout my lifetime. One of my dearest friends was a star running back at Vanderbilt University who went on to become one of Tennessee prominent citizen and entrepreneur. Jamie O'Rourke bought the Roller Racer toy, a human-powered sit on toy for children, invented by a Boeing engineer for his children. Once Jamie purchased and marketed the toy, WHAM-O bought it and Jamie became a multi-millionaire.  Afterwards he marketed and sold "fun-noodles" for the pool, Another friend became very wealthy by developing medical software billing long before it was popular. 

Moreover, I had the opportunity to work for Permobil as the Director of Human Resources and develop the Human Resources department. Per Udden, a Swedish doctor, saw and need and filled it. He was driven by a tremendous passion to find solutions to problems he encountered as a doctor, specifically a patient who had polio and who was not as mobile has she would have liked. Moreover, if she needed a basic wheelchair she was not assured she could drive it both outdoors and inside her home. Per Udden set out to change the world, one wheelchair at a time. Today, Permobil is the world leader provider of advanced rehab mobility solutions. 

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Nevertheless, while I was intimately close with my entrepreneur friends, and I had a part in the development of  Permobil, North America's infrastructure, I was in upper management and I sat at the 'table', unfortunately, I was still just an employee.  Although I was an effective HR Director - in that I was successful in teaching management skills and work with employees who had never held down jobs for long, become vital members of management, I never felt as though I was adding to society; I wanted to make difference in the world by building for future generations. 

Sitting on the sidelines and watching others become successful is like watching a workout video - you never really feel the same satisfaction nor reap the same benefits as you would if you were "sweatin" to the oldies or P90x. I am not sure I would consider myself a serial entrepreneur, but I have tried it all: Avon, Mary Kay, Catering, and of course Amway. And, although I found that none of those things were fulfilling I did learn some valuable lessons, particularly in Amway. It was while 'building my business' that I began to feel empowered to do whatever I wanted to do in life. I felt, finally, as Walt Disney said - if I could dream it, I could do it. It was during my time in Amway that I learned what it was like to be CEO of a company and to be responsible for marketing, generating clients, cash flow, recruiting, training and all the other hats you wear as an entrepreneur. It was indirectly my experience and connection to Amway that led me to my career in Human Resources. 

Well, here I am, a 62 year old grandmother taking  Entrepreneur ENT 3003. So, why am I taking the class you might wonder? Maybe I want crazy success later in life - or maybe I am just crazy! How old is too old to be successful? Never! I love reading about the over 40 gang that have become into real success after other careers. The world is full of 'never give uppers' - Martha Stewart, Vera Wang, Duncan Hines, Charles Darwin, Ray Kroc and of course, as we heard at the beginning of this class, Harland Sanders. Is it too late for me? I don't think so, but I am expecting to find in this class, the motivation and skill to maybe once more, reach for the stars. I will never be one of the great entrepreneurs, but I hope to embrace the mantra of the entrepreneur  and be a good steward of this opportunity for me to improve the world around me and build a better life.