In a very real sense, entrepreneurship has changed everything. There is truly no part of my life it hasn’t touched. Still, I feel that it has been less about change and more about simply allowing me to be myself.

While growing up I would often spend hours upon hours learning something new. When I was young I loved building things with Lego’s. In 6^th grade I made my first web sites, and I started making online computer games just a few years later. I’d ask for books on graphics programming and AI for Christmas. I was, and will always be, a total nerd.

You know what’s nice about learning about math for the first time? Getting an opportunity to practice solving hundreds of problems before its time to take the big test. Unfortunately, when its your first time starting a company, you don’t have the luxury of practicing beforehand. You also don’t have a teacher to correct your mistakes, and you will inevitably make mistakes. But if you’re lucky, none of them will bankrupt your company.  When I started Enovative Kontrol Systems I definitely made mistakes. So far, none of them have been lethal to the company, but there were some close calls.

The Better Business Bureau is a leading organization that looks out for the interests of consumers. They make sure companies advertise honestly, honour promises, and deliver quality services. If complaints are made about a particular business, they check to see if it gets resolved effectively. In short, they make sure that business are acting as they should. It’s who you call when you’re the victim of a scam, or poor quality work.

Several College Pro Painters franchises are listed on the Better Business Bureau website (www.bbb.org). In most cases where the BBB has looked into an operation, College Pro has received an “A” rating.

Babson College’s Entrepreneur Story Booth

(CentreDaily.com)

Cameron Herold began his entrepreneurial life as a College Pro franchisee. He then became the man behind 1-800-Got-Junk, and now runs BackPocketCOO, where he mentors young entrepreneurs. He was recently featured in a TED-Talk in Edmonton where he discussed the importance of encouraging young entrepreneurs.

Bored in school, failing classes, at odds with peers: This child might be an entrepreneur, says Cameron Herold. At TEDxEdmonton, he makes the case for parenting and education that helps would-be entrepreneurs flourish — as kids and as adults.

Watch this TED-Talk here!

(Photo from Ted.com)

Two years ago I was in my junior year of college, playing a varsity sport and unemployed at the time. I started to think about what my priorities should be at the time especially with how the world was working around me. I came to conclusion on what I needed and that was real world experience while I was still in school, and the opportunity for growth and opportunity. After searching for the right fit through job fairs and talking with the influential leaders in my life I finally found what I was looking for.

Often when a student goes to his/her parents with thoughts of a College Pro franchise opportunity, the initial thought is “It’s too good to be true.” While on-the-job business training, healthy profits, and the freedom to run your own business are all possible perks, most parents are aware that there’s probably a catch. It’s never that easy. For College Pro franchisees, those perks require hard work, solid business planning, and intelligent management of your team and resources. Like any franchise opportunity, there is risk involved, there are costs involved, but there is also a vast support network and training available.