4 answers
Amber
Student
Richmond Hill, Georgia
1
Question
Updated
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What advice would you give to a college student hoping to start a business in a competitive industry?
Furthermore, what are some of the best online resources to use when starting a business?
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4 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
517
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Great platforms to learn about startups and grow your network are Y Combinator’s Startup School, SCORE, Lean Stack, HubSpot Academy, Coursera, Gust, AngelList, Indie Hackers, Product Hunt, Foundr, and Google for Startups. You can also explore virtual startup experiences like LEO Startup School, SDC Startup School, and Workearly. These can help you practice idea validation, decision-making, and business-building, setting you up for success in real-world entrepreneurship. Dive in and start your journey today!
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Amber. To start a business, you need to have a clear idea and understand your market. Research your industry to see who your competitors are, what customers want, and where there are gaps you can fill. Your business should offer something unique that makes it stand out.
College is a great time to test your ideas without taking big risks. You can do small pilot projects, ask classmates or professors for feedback, or use campus resources like entrepreneurship club to refine your concept before investing a lot of money or time.
Networking is very important for success. You can attend industry events, conferences, or online webinars to learn from others and build connections. A strong support network can give you insights, motivation, and help you make smarter decisions when challenges come up.
There are many online resources that can help student entrepreneurs. Tools like Canva help with branding and design, while Google Workspace helps with organization and teamwork. Social media platforms (like Instagram) can help you reach customers and learn from other entrepreneurs. Online courses and videos on YouTube can teach marketing, finance, and business strategies.
Wishing you all the best.
College is a great time to test your ideas without taking big risks. You can do small pilot projects, ask classmates or professors for feedback, or use campus resources like entrepreneurship club to refine your concept before investing a lot of money or time.
Networking is very important for success. You can attend industry events, conferences, or online webinars to learn from others and build connections. A strong support network can give you insights, motivation, and help you make smarter decisions when challenges come up.
There are many online resources that can help student entrepreneurs. Tools like Canva help with branding and design, while Google Workspace helps with organization and teamwork. Social media platforms (like Instagram) can help you reach customers and learn from other entrepreneurs. Online courses and videos on YouTube can teach marketing, finance, and business strategies.
Wishing you all the best.
Rebecca Aidoo
Fashion specialists
20
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
An important piece of advice I would give to a college student hoping to start a business is to first ask yourself why you want to start it and for what purpose. There is a difference between starting a business and being an entrepreneur. Your reason for venturing into business is what will drive your motivation and long-term success.
An entrepreneur does more than just sell products or offer services—they focus on solving problems, taking calculated risks, planning strategically, and thinking about future impact and innovation. A business owner may focus mainly on maximizing profits, but an entrepreneur aims to create value, impact communities, and foster growth while also achieving profitability.
If you’re starting a business in a competitive industry, begin with thorough research. Understand the industry’s trends, challenges, and opportunities. Study your competitors, especially those succeeding on the global market, and use a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to evaluate them. Identify what makes them successful, where their weaknesses lie, and how you can create your own unique selling point (USP)—something that differentiates you in the market.
Ultimately, your success will depend on your ability to combine passion with research, creativity with strategy, and persistence with adaptability.
All the best in your journey!
An entrepreneur does more than just sell products or offer services—they focus on solving problems, taking calculated risks, planning strategically, and thinking about future impact and innovation. A business owner may focus mainly on maximizing profits, but an entrepreneur aims to create value, impact communities, and foster growth while also achieving profitability.
If you’re starting a business in a competitive industry, begin with thorough research. Understand the industry’s trends, challenges, and opportunities. Study your competitors, especially those succeeding on the global market, and use a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to evaluate them. Identify what makes them successful, where their weaknesses lie, and how you can create your own unique selling point (USP)—something that differentiates you in the market.
Ultimately, your success will depend on your ability to combine passion with research, creativity with strategy, and persistence with adaptability.
All the best in your journey!
Fidel Andueza
Investment Manager
2
Answers
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Updated
Fidel’s Answer
A focused plan/strategy, talent and capital to launch the business.
All industries are competitive. Suggest you focus on your strengths and on excellence at every step of the way. And the results will come. In other words, focus on the process and not on the result. It is important to understand what competitors are doing but don’t loose any sleep over it.
Talent is essential. People make and build businesses. So do your best to surround yourself with excellent human beings and empower them.
And capital…try to come up with a fully funded plan from the start. Not having the necessary resources will drag you and take the freedom to think creatively away. And it means give away some of the upside, don’t worry. Better to have a smaller stake in a business with a solid foothold.
Good luck!!
All industries are competitive. Suggest you focus on your strengths and on excellence at every step of the way. And the results will come. In other words, focus on the process and not on the result. It is important to understand what competitors are doing but don’t loose any sleep over it.
Talent is essential. People make and build businesses. So do your best to surround yourself with excellent human beings and empower them.
And capital…try to come up with a fully funded plan from the start. Not having the necessary resources will drag you and take the freedom to think creatively away. And it means give away some of the upside, don’t worry. Better to have a smaller stake in a business with a solid foothold.
Good luck!!