What entrepreneurship means for college students

Let’s start with the basics. 

Entrepreneurship is all about spotting opportunities, solving problems, and turning ideas into reality. It’s not just about starting a big company or making loads of money (though that would be nice). It’s about having the skills, confidence, and mindset to take control of your career and create opportunities for yourself. 

For example, if you’re training to be a hairdresser, entrepreneurship could mean setting up your own salon or offering mobile services. If you’re studying carpentry, it could mean creating your own furniture line or working as a self-employed tradesperson. 

Even if you want to work for someone else at first, having entrepreneurial skills makes you stand out – it shows you can think independently, solve problems and adapt to challenges. 

Lots of vocational careers naturally lead to self-employment. Think about it – plumbers, electricians, personal trainers, beauticians, and photographers often work for themselves. 

If that’s your goal, understanding how to run a business is crucial. You’ll need to know how to: 

• Find clients and keep them happy
• Manage your money (nobody wants to run out of cash or be fined by HMRC for filing their self-assessment late)
• Market yourself and your services
• Set your prices and negotiate deals
• Handle setbacks and keep going when things get tough 

These are all entrepreneurial skills, and the better you are at them, the more successful you’ll be. Being good at your trade is important, but if you’d like to freelance, become self-employed or start a business you’ll need those additional skills too and that’s where we can help.