Become anEntrepreneur

Being an entrepreneur means that you get to be the leader of your projects, create jobs for others, and bring your own ideas to life. Imagine making a living by following your passions and interests, whether that’s tech gadgets, fashion, or anything in between! As an entrepreneur, you can turn your hobbies into a thriving business.

• Create your own business and be your own boss.
• Turn innovative ideas into successful ventures.
• Make a positive impact on society.
• Work in exciting and vibrant environments.

Entrepreneurs start and build businesses. They brainstorm new ideas, plan how to make those ideas a reality, and then work hard to launch them. Once their business is up and running, they manage the business operations, make big decisions, and often work with teams to ensure everything goes smoothly.

It involves thinking creatively, acting on your instincts, and constantly learning from your experiences. As an entrepreneur, you have the freedom to forge your own path, but also the responsibility to overcome the challenges that come your way. You’ll start projects from scratch, manage teams, and possibly transform industries with your fresh ideas.

The great thing about being an entrepreneur is that you can enter virtually any industry! Here are a few sectors where entrepreneurs often find great success:

Technology

Innovating with new apps, software, or hardware products.

Retail

Opening your own shops or launching a product line.

Healthcare

Developing new medical technologies or wellness programs.

Entertainment

Producing films, starting a streaming service, or creating games.

Education

Revolutionising learning experiences with new educational tools or platforms.

Hospitality

Opening a restaurant, hotel, or tour service.

Entrepreneurs need a unique set of skills to navigate the challenges of launching and running a business successfully:

• Creativity
• Resilience
• Leadership
• Networking
• Financial literacy
• Decision-making

While you can learn a lot about entrepreneurship through experience, certain STEM school subjects can provide you with essential knowledge and skills:

Business Studies

Understand the basics of running a business.

Mathematics

Essential for budgeting and financial planning.

Information Technology

Helpful for managing online businesses or developing tech products.

Economics

Gives insights into market trends and economic principles.

Psychology

Useful in marketing and understanding consumer behaviour.

Art

Encourages creativity and innovation, vital for product design and advertising.

Entrepreneurs get to travel, meet new people, and pitch their ideas to potential investors. They attend exciting events, participate in competitions, and might even get featured in magazines or on TV for their innovative work!

Pitch an exciting new business idea
Share your innovative ideas with investors or partners, convincing them to back your vision and help it grow.

Develop a product or service from scratch
Brainstorm, design, and create a new product or service that solves real-world problems or meets customer needs.

Lead a team of passionate individuals
Guide a talented team of employees or collaborators who share your vision, helping them grow while pushing your business forward.

Network with other business leaders
Attend events, conferences, or meetups, connecting with other entrepreneurs, potential partners, and industry experts.

Solve unexpected business challenges
Face exciting and unpredictable challenges daily, whether it’s adjusting a marketing strategy for overcoming financial hurdles.

Expand your business to new markets
Explore opportunities to take your business to international markets, launching your products or services to new audiences.

Australia is home to many inspiring entrepreneurs who have turned their passion into successful ventures, motivating others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Melanie Perkins
Melanie is the co-founder and CEO of Canva, a global platform for design that has transformed the creative process, reaching millions of users worldwide.

Janine Allis
Founder of Boost Juice, Janine started with a single smoothie bar and grew it into a national franchise, now recognised across Australia and beyond.

Cyan Ta’eed
Cyan co-founded Envato, a digital marketplace that supports millions of creatives globally. She is also a champion for female leadership in technology.

Emma Isaacs
Emma is the founder of Business Chicks, Australia’s largest network for women, empowering female entrepreneurs and business leaders to connect and grow.

Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar

The co-founders of Atlassian, a Sydney-based company that develops software for team collaboration. They turned a credit card funded startup into a multibillion dollar enterprise.

The personality of an entrepreneur plays a critical role in their potential for success. Certain traits help them navigate the ups and downs of starting and running a business:

• Creative
• Ambitious
• Resilient
• Confident
• Flexible
• Persistent

A degree in business, commerce, or entrepreneurship offers knowledge in finance, management, and strategy, forming a solid base for starting a business.

Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship Focus)
This degree teaches the foundations of business, covering finance, marketing, and strategy, with a focus on innovation and new ventures. Available at several universities in WA, it prepares students to launch and grow successful enterprises.

Bachelor of Business (Management)
Focusing on leadership and managing teams, this course equips students with skills in project management, leadership, and operations, ideal for those aiming to lead their own company.

Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This degree is tailored for aspiring entrepreneurs, covering topics such as venture capital, business development, and growth strategies.

These degrees could all form part of your Entrepreneurship journey:

• Business Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Marketing
• Finance
• Computer Science
• International Business

Imagine mixing a scoop of technology with a sprinkle of business studies – that’s the magic of interdisciplinary studies! You don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. By combining degrees, you can gain expertise in different areas like technology and business or psychology and marketing. This approach gives you a toolkit brimming with varied skills, perfect for tackling the unexpected challenges entrepreneurs face.

Studying different subjects together can also spark new ideas and innovations. Think about how understanding both engineering and business could help you invent a new gadget and then sell it successfully. Plus, this kind of learning helps you think from different perspectives, which is super important when you’re aiming to be a leader in the business world.

Besides traditional degrees, consider adding shorter courses or workshops to your learning journey. These can boost your skills in specific areas like digital marketing or app development quickly, without spending years on them. Combining formal education with these bite-sized learning experiences makes you adaptable and ready to jump into the entrepreneurial scene.

Studying to be an entrepreneur is like preparing for an adventure. You’ll learn how to spot opportunities and turn them into businesses. Courses cover how to make a business plan, manage money, and understand what customers want. 

Plus, you’ll get into the nitty-gritty of marketing, managing people, and even navigating the legal aspects of running a business. It’s all about gearing you up with the know-how to take your idea from just a dream to a thriving reality.

Getting first hand experience is crucial. This could be anything from internships at startup companies to helping out in a family business, or even starting your own mini project like a school café or a tech repair service. These experiences teach you the fundamental lessons of business that classrooms can’t, while showing you what daily life as an entrepreneur really looks like.

Not everyone’s journey to becoming an entrepreneur has to go through university. Here are two alternative paths:

Vocational Training and Certifications 

For students wanting practical experience, vocational training can offer direct insight into the business world.

• Certificate IV in New Small Business
  This certification covers the basics of business planning, marketing, and financial management, perfect for those looking to start small ventures.
• Diploma of Business (Entrepreneurship)
  This diploma focuses on leadership, budgeting, and operations, providing skills needed to launch and manage a business.

Micro-Learning and Online Courses

Flexible online courses allow aspiring entrepreneurs to develop the skills needed quickly and efficiently.

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  Learn the essentials of starting and growing a business, from generating ideas to planning and launching your venture.
• Business Strategy for Entrepreneurs
  This course focuses on developing and executing business strategies that drive success in competitive markets.

Apprenticeships and Workplace Training

Jumping straight into the working world can teach you heaps. Joining a startup or working for a dynamic company gives you a front row seat to learning how businesses grow and operate daily.

Becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting adventure filled with opportunities for growth and learning. If you’re driven, innovative, and ready to lead, this could be the perfect career path for you!

Western Australia

Western Australia has a thriving startup ecosystem, with support for entrepreneurs through local businesses and government programs. Perth based companies like HealthEngine were founded by entrepreneurs and have grown into successful national platforms. Spacecubed offers entrepreneurs access to shared workspaces, mentorship, and networking events, providing a strong community for start-ups to grow.

The region is ripe with opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors like mining technologies, environmental services, and tourism. The state’s economy is diverse, and there’s a strong push towards innovation in energy and sustainable practices.

Australia

Across Australia, entrepreneurs are making their marks in industries like fintech, agribusiness, and renewable energy. Innovation hubs in major cities provide the perfect breeding ground for your entrepreneurial dreams, with access to international networks and funding. Entrepreneurship is supported by organisations like Canva and Envato, both of which started as small ventures and have grown into global businesses. National initiatives like StartupAUS help entrepreneurs access funding, mentorship, and resources. There is also government support for new businesses, offering grants and funding to help start-ups grow and succeed.

Rest of the World

Globally, the sky’s the limit. Whether it’s tech in Silicon Valley, fashion in Paris, or manufacturing in China, each region offers unique opportunities and challenges. As an entrepreneur, you can find your niche just about anywhere, using global platforms to connect with markets and investors worldwide.

Exploring these pathways and opportunities shows there are numerous ways to navigate your entrepreneurial journey. It’s about finding the right mix that works for you, learning as much as you can along the way, and embracing into experiences that sharpen your business acumen or improve your STEM skills. Are you ready to start your adventure?