My friend’s father is a great example of a successful entrepreneur.
He got his start in computer science in corporate America with IBM. His wife
was from Melbourne, FL that is how he was introduced to the Defense industry. He
started his company in the early 90’s when computer technology was really
taking off especially new ideas and products for the military. He designed a
very rugged computer designed for use in austere conditions. I actually used
this technology when I was in the Army. The government loved the idea and gave
him some lucrative contracts.
Just like Professor Pryor talks about he took his company
public and then executed his exit plan by selling his company for a sum in the
nine digits in the early 2000’s. After listening to the first few lectures come
to find out he is in the very small minority of entrepreneurs that obtain that
kind of success.
I hope to get a more entrepreneurial mindset from this class.
That mindset does not come to me naturally. I know I will need that later in my
career, because I think at some point up the career ladder in corporate America
your mindset needs to shift from a straight managerial/leadership mindset to a
entrepreneurial/leadership one because you are now driving that company forward. Looking to innovate, create, and take on certain risk to grow that company.
This is the FBCB2 or Blue Force Tracker as we called it in the Army. It connects all the units on the battlefield. It also enables you to see the blue units, friendly units, on the displayed map. As well as gives you an interface to message and connect with them. Really neat stuff and remarkably enhanced battlefield safety and communications.
Bristol,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to see that you have a close connection to entrepreneurship. I am currently in Melbourne and I see how much of a need there is for information technology in the defense industry. I think our troops are always in need of new technology to give them the edge, and something like your friends dad developed would be a great solution for a tactical advantage in the battlefield.
Brandon
I found your story to be very interesting. You must have learned a lot from being so close to such a successful entrepreneur. I also really enjoyed the picture you added because it gave context to the story you told. I also really like the point you brought up about having to shift your mindset from managerial to entrepreneurship because that is something everyone should do, but not many people realize that.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post about your association with entrepreneurship. Like you, I was also influenced by knowing someone who pursued an entrepreneurial career. My experience also sparked a desire to explore my ability to be entrepreneurial. One thing that I found really interesting was the fact that you used the technology developed by your friend's father while you were in the army. It is amazing that it would come full circle for you to see that technology out in the field. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAshley Decker
Hey Bradley,
ReplyDeleteI think that is an awesome story! There is not a whole lot of people that get the experience to meet such a successful entrepreneur. It sounds like he really got into the right department at just the right time! Being able to witness such an awesome entrepreneur would certainly spark interest in becoming one themselves. I actually have been able to witness a few successful entrepreneurs myself that have really made me interested in that myself. I also agree with Katia, the picture that you added really does add to your story! Good job on your story and good luck in the rest of the course!
-Dakota Horlocker
Hi Bristol,
ReplyDeleteI used to think, like you, that I did not have an entrepreneurial mindset. The more I learn about entrepreneurship, the more I realize that just isn’t true. An entrepreneur does not have to have a really big idea, she just has to find a problem that needs solving and come up with a solution that someone will pay her to implement. Problems are all around us- I think that is what the bug list is all about.
Your dad’s friend is one of the super-successful entrepreneurs- I think we all dream of cashing out big like he did!!! However, that dream is probably out of reach for most of us. As long as we are being paid enough to support us in a decent lifestyle, we are probably entrepreneurial enough!!!
Like you, I am looking forward to further developing my entrepreneurial mindset through this and other classes. Good luck this semester!