Why I Want To Start My Own Business

Why I Want To Start My Own Business

The calling to become an entrepreneur has never been stronger.

Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller Aug 30, 2018
114
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I've had a few jobs in my lifetime. I can't say I enjoyed any of them. My last job had long hours with 10-hour shifts on average. Something that I learned with my last job is that I don't work well with others. I feel as though I am more capable of working on my own without others to slow me down. I've always been this way, ever since I was a little kid in elementary school. I was known as a 'quiet kid' but I was also known for being much smarter than the rest of the class. I focused on getting my work done early so I could relax while the other kids talked to each other and then struggled to finish their work on time.

See, I've always thought of working with others as a hindrance to my productivity. They bring along their opinions, drawbacks, and doubts. I don't need that. I know exactly how I want something to be done and I don't need anyone else disagreeing with it or trying to tweak it to fit their ideas. You might call this narcissistic but I think of it this way: if you want something done right then do it yourself.

A wise man once told me if you're not working for yourself than your just working for other's dreams. Most people have a boss and that boss doesn't care about your goals. That boss only cares about his own goals. Odds are you won't feel the same urgency to complete your work because it's just a paycheck to you. I find this system to be quite dreary and uninspiring. Your time is the most valuable thing in life. You can always make money back but you can't turn back the clock. Why chip away your effort at something that doesn't serve you?

A few years ago I had a business idea. I felt very good about this idea, sharing it with everyone I came across hoping to gain more insight from those with business experience. I was preparing to go into the School of Entrepreneurship and signed up for a ton of business classes and all the entrepreneurship classes I could take before getting into the program itself. The program starts junior year of college so for the first two years I just had to take care of all the prerequisite classes. I was deadset on becoming an entrepreneurship student. I sent in my application and wrote an essay about my business idea and why I would be a good entrepreneur. I waited and waited until one day my inbox lit up with an email from the program coordinator. Anxious to see the good news I opened the email, only to discover I hadn't gotten in.

With that, my entrepreneurship itch faded away. Doubts and adversity had overcome hope and passion. I started to think that starting my own business was a pipedream, that there was no way I could make this great idea a reality and make millions of dollars before I turned 25. I gave up on business school and switched to something easier - creative writing. I had always been a good writer and I figured I'd give it a shot. I knew it would be easier than business calc and accounting. While the English department has allowed me to expand my creative talents it still feels empty. As I write this article I imagine making a living for myself that is independent of others - I want to become an entrepreneur. The path is yet to be discovered but the seed has been planted.

Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller Aug 30, 2018
At Florida State University

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8 Things You Need To Know About Selling On Redbubble

Everyone buys their stickers from Redbubble, but have you ever wanted to be the one making them?
Meagan McDowell
Meagan McDowell Mar 26, 2018
5331
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As someone who loves to fool around in Photoshop and Illustrator, I saw Redbubble as a chance to flex my skills as a graphic designer. The massive popularity of them provided me with an opportunity to make a little money on the side doing something I not only enjoyed but could do when the mood struck me. It seemed like a win-win, but there were a few things I wish I knew before I started making stickers.

1. Don't expect to be rolling in dough.

It took a month and maybe 10 different designs before I sold any of my stickers. I joined in October of 2017, and I have sold about 20 stickers.

2. Redbubble stickers are expensive for a reason.

At this point, I have sold about 20 stickers which may seem like a lot, until you find out how much I make per sticker. The artist sets how much they make after Redbubble’s share, so artists can set it as low as 0% profit (which means the sticker sells for $2.29).

3. Buying 10 and getting 50% off is great when you're the one buying the stickers...

...but it sucks when you’re the one selling them. I make an average of 20% per sticker, so when you buy my $2.75 sticker for $1.38, I only make 23¢.

4. Make things you would buy.

If there’s something you want to buy, but it doesn’t exist, make it. Keep in mind as well that if you wouldn't buy it, odds are that not too many other people would.

5. Try to offer variations.

You might make a design in blue and love it, but consider offering it in different colors. Someone might love the design but hate the color.

6. Make your designs as versatile as possible.

Redbubble is primarily known for its stickers, but your designs can be put on anything from a poster to a wall clock. Take advantage of that because more expensive items mean you make more for the same design when they sell.

7. Keywords are KEY.

You want your designs to be as visible as possible, so take advantage of all the tools they give you. Try to tag your design with anything that might relate to it; you want it to pop up in as many tags as possible.

8. Do your research.

If you are interested in making something, search one of the keywords and see how many results there are for it. Sometimes there is a need, and you can fill it.

I have enjoyed my time on Redbubble nonetheless, and I recommend it to anyone who likes to design or draw. It’s certainly not a good way to get rich quick, but I enjoy it. Every time someone purchases one of my stickers, I feel this rush of pride in knowing someone liked something that I designed. That's a big reason why I continue to put designs on Redbubble.



Cover Image Credit: Meagan McDowell
Meagan McDowell
Meagan McDowell Mar 26, 2018
At The College of New Jersey

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Dirty Dough Is The Late-Night Delivery Tempe Didn't Know It Needed

A new business in Tempe that has successfully used social media to engage students and Tempe residents.

Lauren Hernandez
Lauren Hernandez Nov 28, 2018
70255
views

Tempe residents searching for the perfect late night delivery are now taking advantage of the online delivery and social media business Dirty Dough.

Dirty Dough began selling and advertising its late-night cookies on Nov 1, 2018, online and on Instagram. The business is now delivering six times a week and is selling out every night.

The owner, Tyler Peery, was inspired to open Dirty Dough in an area that needed late night delivery. The business, however, is looking to expand.

"Tempe needed a late-night treat delivery, we created Dirty Dough to fill that gap," Peery said.

Dirty Dough now has a following close to 1,500 on Instagram and uses social media to its advantage. Dirty Dough reposts each of their customer's pictures and uses Instagram to announce its giveaways.

Lauren Hernandez

"Social media marketing is key. Cookies are fun. People want to appear as though they are always having fun, so they post for us. Our cookies have been all over social media for the past several weeks and that has snowballed into new orders," Peery said.

Dirty Dough sells one type of cookie, chocolate chip, but it is looking to expand. Customers can buy a box of four large and doughy cookies for $12.

"We very much dislike crunchy, over-baked cookies. So we make ours to perfection, a little doughy. We are keeping our expansion plans pretty close the chest, but we are thinking about additional cookies, milk, dough, and more," Peery said.

Haleigh Bartow, an avid Dirty Dough customer and Arizona State University student, is a fan of the new business because it is reasonably priced and delivers right at her door.

"I ordered Dirty Dough because I saw it all over Instagram. I think that it is a great idea for college students because its super easy to get delivered and they are super good! It is also very reasonably priced for how much food you are getting. I eat the batch of cookies I order for a couple of days after," Bartow said.

Lauren Hernandez

Dirty Dough delivers anywhere in Tempe but it does not have an in-store location.

Dirty Dough delivers straight to your door from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday.

"We deliver literally anywhere in Tempe. On campus, off campus, in dorms, houses, in a field, or in a ditch. Anywhere!" Peery said.

ASU students are one of Dirty Dough's most common customers as the cookies come straight to their dorms and apartments for late night snacks.

"Students need a yummy treat when they are studying late for an exam. We will gladly deliver on campus to these students," Peery said.

Zach Toney is an employee at Dirty Dough and he finds his job exciting because of the message the business proclaims.

"Everyone that receives our cookies is excited about them and wants to share them with their friends. It makes delivering the cookies a fun time," Toney said.

https://www.dirtydoughtempe.com/

Dirty Dough is less than a month old but has already made a huge impact on the Tempe community. The demand for the cookies is higher each week and the use of social media has been beneficial to the companies success.

Dirty Dough hopes to have more cookies and potentially other products on the market for its customers. For now, anyone in Tempe can order from its website.

"Our business is unique because our cookies are unique. We wholeheartedly believe that our cookies are the bomb! I think and hope our customers agree," Peery said.

Lauren Hernandez
Lauren Hernandez Nov 28, 2018
At Arizona State University

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