3 answers
Deangel
Student
Joliet, Illinois
3
Questions
Updated
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what kind of internships or volunteer opportunities will help give me entrepreneur skills?
I'm interested in having my own bakery food truck
#internship #business #baking #entrepreneur #nail technician #culinary
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3 answers
Mike Altman
Specialized Workers Compensation Underwriter
12
Answers
La Grange Park, Illinois
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Hi there - while I work in corporate America and am not a small business owner, I think it's safe to say, there are countless types of internship or volunteer opportunities that would provide necessary skills for an entrepreneurial endeavor. Obviously you need to be skilled/educated in the field you want to go into business in, but I think a lot of the underlying responsibilities of a small business owner sometimes go unchecked before people embark on something like this. Any rolethat has to deal with basic accounting to make sure you're able to keep your own book, any type of marketing type position that will teach you how to correctly put you in the best position to build your brand, and anything that gives you leadership skills to one day be your own boss and lead/delegate efficiently would be beneficial. Knowing how to correctly file for your own business license/FEIN, knowing how to file your own taxes are all necessary things that will need to be dealt with. Financial support and a business plan will also be necessary, so working in a position that will help you with that, or developing relationships with people that can educate you in these areas would be helpful.
John Noonan
AVP, Digital Marketing
4
Answers
Berlin, Maryland
Updated
John’s Answer
This is an excellent question, and I'm glad you aren't considering starting your own business without corporate experience. In order to answer your question, I need to ask you a rhetorical question. As you think about the company you'd like to start, what types of businesses or customers are you looking to sell your products or services to? The answer to that question should tell you where you should intern.
B2B Company - If you are looking to start a B2B company, look for an internship at a company that would typically purchase the products and/or services you are looking to sell. As a B2B service provider, there is nothing more valuable than a great understanding of the needs and pain points of the companies you are trying to serve. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have contacts at a potential client business.
B2C Company - If you are looking to start a B2C company, look for an internship at a company that sells to the same types of customers. The reason is similar. You want to understand your target audience and you can learn a lot by absorbing the insights a large corporation has already gathered on your target audience.
The bottom line, your internship should give you valuable information to help you understand your target audience better.
B2B Company - If you are looking to start a B2B company, look for an internship at a company that would typically purchase the products and/or services you are looking to sell. As a B2B service provider, there is nothing more valuable than a great understanding of the needs and pain points of the companies you are trying to serve. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have contacts at a potential client business.
B2C Company - If you are looking to start a B2C company, look for an internship at a company that sells to the same types of customers. The reason is similar. You want to understand your target audience and you can learn a lot by absorbing the insights a large corporation has already gathered on your target audience.
The bottom line, your internship should give you valuable information to help you understand your target audience better.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1510
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
I am glad to hear that you would like be an entrepreneur and consider to work on volunteer work. Below are a few suggestions:
1. You may need to understand the industry you would like to start your business. You may need to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills in the college.
2. You can find out opportunities to work in the industry to understand their business model and operating process. You can explore whether there is any part or intern opportunities online.
3. You can your business with social enterprise. On one hand, you can help others, e.g. offer working opportunities for minorities, etc. or use part profit for charity.
4. After gaining the experience and you would to expand the business, you can also consider running the business as private corporate. At the same time, you can continue to help other, e.g, offer working opportunities, donation, etc.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
1. You may need to understand the industry you would like to start your business. You may need to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills in the college.
2. You can find out opportunities to work in the industry to understand their business model and operating process. You can explore whether there is any part or intern opportunities online.
3. You can your business with social enterprise. On one hand, you can help others, e.g. offer working opportunities for minorities, etc. or use part profit for charity.
4. After gaining the experience and you would to expand the business, you can also consider running the business as private corporate. At the same time, you can continue to help other, e.g, offer working opportunities, donation, etc.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!