Featured Blog
Business Coach Career Blog by Tanveer Naseer
Featured Books
Business Plans That Win $$$: Lessons from the MIT Enterprise Forum by Stanley R. Rich and David E. Gumpert
Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams by Pamela Skillings
Featured Alumni Profile
Helene Lowenfels '05
"I work in the New York City art world at an art gallery on the Upper East Side. My true passion, however, is running my own business called NYC Art Tours where I teach adults and children about paintings, works on paper, architecture and three-dimensional art. I use my knowledge of the city and art history to lead clients through museums, exhibition previews at auction houses and galleries of all genres.
My resume is varied - I have worked at Christie's, two art galleries and the Metropolitan Museum. I have been in various roles at these respective institutions, ranging from a volunteer to a gallery director. You will learn an enormous amount about yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your personality by being open to various opportunities and challenging yourself across all levels. Never say you won't do something. It can lead to wonderful outcomes.
As an undergrad, I came to Hiatt to learn how to network, how to write a resume, and how to interview. As a professional, I still am turning to Hiatt to network and explore ways to reach out to Brandeis alumni in my field. I have a bachelors degree in Art History."
Start Your Own Business
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? Here are some resources to help you evaluate your entrepreneurial success traits, start a business, and keep it going and growing.
Self-Assessment
First ask yourself why you want to start your own business and how your personal strengths may help you reach that goal. The following resource will help you examine the challenges of entrepreneurship before you jump in.
Entrepreneur Risk Assessment Quiz (Georgia State University) - Take this quiz to help you think about the task of building a successful new business.
Pros and Cons
In addition to self-assessment, you may find it useful to read what other entrepreneurs have written about the pros and cons of starting your own business.
Pros and Cons of New Grads Starting a Business (Entrepreneur.com) - This article explores the pros and cons of starting a business straight out of college and opens up a conversation for graduating students thinking about business ownership.
Start Your Own Business for 100 Dollars or Less (ABC News story) - Each budding entrepreneur’s experience will be different, but it can be inspiring to read how others have started a successful business without a lot of capital. In this interview, Tory Johnson describes launching Women For Hire, which offers recruitment services for women, with less than 100 dollars in her pocket.
Regional Resources
As you begin to develop and implement your new business plan, be sure to take advantage of local resources in your community. These are just a few examples.
New Work City - New Work City is a coworking space and center for independents. Built as a community first and a business second, New Work City is the collective result of the participation of countless people who believe in its mission and subscribe to its values.
U.S. Small Business Administration (Local Offices) - Delivers millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Find your regional office here.
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce - Offers strategic networking opportunities, business advocacy and leadership development to 1,500 organizations of all sizes, representing virtually every industry in the region.
Free Resources
There are many free web-based resources at your finger tips. These are just a few suggestions; you will find more online, and in your community, to fit your specific needs.
U.S. Small Business Administration - Delivers loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.
S.C.O.R.E. - Retired executives and entrepreneurs offering business startup advice.
Center for Women and Enterprise - Nationally known non-profit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses.
Business Innovation Factory - Non-profit dedicated to helping its private and public sector members learn from the best minds in business innovation and provide opportunities to network and collaborate with organizations that are driven to explore and test new business models.
500 Startups - Provides early-stage companies with up to $250K in funding, their startup accelerator program, and unique events.
My Own Business - Non-profit offering free online courses and resources.
Springwise - Helped by a network of 15,000 spotters, Springwise editors scan the globe for smart new business ideas, delivering instant inspiration to entrepreneurial minds.
Under30CEO - This website focuses on resources, tips, advice, and training for young entrepreneurs, young CEOs and startup companies.
As you build your business, be sure to connect with groups and organizations in your community. Online tools and resources can be very helpful in providing information, but the local meetings and groups will help you build your network with savvy entrepreneurs, vendors and customers to help you succeed.
Modified version of an article by Leslie Warner, Associate Director for Alumni Career Services, Tufts University