What Steps Are Necessary In Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur and What Challenges Do You Face Along the Way?

You are an 11th grader so I have to ask why do you think this is the career path for you? Most people go out and get degrees because the career field sounds cool, or working for oneself sounds like fun (nobody to tell you what to do) However, neither reason is a good one. I would suggest that you start by examining your personality...what do you like to do, what would make you want to get out of bed at the crack of dawn? Conversely, what don't you like to do? This list needs to be comprehensive if you want to really find a career path that fits your personality, there are many on-line personality tests that can help you too. You want to think about jobs that line up with more likes than dislikes. Also, the previous response to try and get an internship or volunteer at places you think you would like to work...that is good advice.

You can also be a public relations person at a startup. In fact, I know someone who is PR head at a flight search startup called Hipmunk, (www.hipmunk.com), a company that is revamping the way we go about searching for flights. In that particular job, you have to talk to airlines, media companies, and frequent travelers who want to know about the flight search service, so it's a pretty dynamic job. You have to be a jack (or jill) of all trades.

There are entrepreneurs who own PR Firms. As someone mentioned previously you can be a professional in the field of public relations without being an entrepreneur...so be sure to take courses in college which support both endeavors. In the meantime try to land an internship or volunteer at a local PR firm, there you will have access to various professionals who can answer your questions regarding having a career in that field. Also, find a mentor who is a professional you admire in the field, they can provide you access to internships, events, exposure within the industry and much needed advice.

In school or for a small business or organization in your neighborhood volunteer to take on small PR projects and be open to feedback on your performance and delivery.

As for challenges...it is different for everyone. Some people find a measure of success right away and for others it can take a decade or more for their career to take off. Often the bigger your dream the more challenges you will experience. Focus on what you want to do and not so much on how you want to do it...the 'what' is your passion and purpose...the 'how' is just one way in a million to get there...many successful entrepreneurs stay true to their mission, but have to adapt their techniques and approach as they grow. The key is to do something you are absolutely passionate about (not just something you think will make you happy). When you love what you do you are more likely to survive whatever comes your way. You have to be able to celebrate the good days and value the hard lessons. All entrepreneurs must learn to survive before they can learn to thrive. If you aren't passionate, you won't make it as an entrepreneur.

Go live and breathe PR...be a publicist in the making starting now...and do something every day no matter or big or small to be better at it than you were the day before.

The title of your Question is about Entrepreneurs and your question is about Public Relations. Being an Entrepreneur and doing Public Relations are very different. As an Entrepreneur, you use PR methods for your company, but they're vastly different fields. Can you rephrase your question?

Public Relations
Entrepreneur