My New Toolbox
By: Katarina Kraljic
Tags: Advice, Tools, Skills

When I told my parents I was going to get an apartment my sophomore year of college, they had opposing reactions. My mom handles our finances and knew how expensive my freshman year had been, so she found it cost-effective to switch. My dad, on the hand, was livid. He thought I had no idea what I was doing and was insulted that I hadn’t brought up the idea with him beforehand. My mom and I were able to calm him down by showing him the billing statements. I think he was actually just afraid of me growing up. Anyway, since then, I’ve received countless hand-me-down items from family members, one of them being the same little red toolbox my mom bought for her first place.

My entrepreneurship class this semester has been very interesting with so much knowledge it reminds me of how much I DON’T know. It has definitely aided me in the creation of my business, and although, I don’t know where to start exactly. I’ve learned that the NICE Center is more than willing to help me with any question I may have. However, the most important thing I’ve learned in this class is that I can learn from everyone. There are so many resources out there to utilize and people love to help. These classes make me realize how much of a community there is amongst entrepreneurs and I love that! I love that this is a field that involves helping, encouraging, and celebrating the success of others! It truly reminds me that I’m not alone, in the business industry nor anywhere else. Every entrepreneur understands strife like no other. They understand failure, and with that strength, as well as, that knowledge is power. I admire that and want to be seen the same way some day.

As far as the next ten years ago, there are lots of times I’m going to utilize this skill. Heck! Starting in January I’ll REALLY be using it when I begin my basic training for the Army National Guard. After that, I have AIT and then I’ll be out in my unit. As for interior design, I’m going to have to do an internship, likewise for my entrepreneurship certification. Those are all instances in which I will need to be accepting of mentorship and might as well seek advice from others while I’m at it. And then there’s my business plan which will require a lot of advising and direction from hopefully as many people as I can meet.

I’m stubbornly independent so I don’t particularly ask for help. However, I’ve been doing it more recently and the feedback is good for the most part. Sometimes I ask a stupid question because I can’t think straight with so much on my plate, but for the most part, people aren’t upset with me. I just fear looking stupid or lazy. So hey, maybe I’ve also learned how to care less about people’s opinions of me! And THAT is a valuable lesson too.

In conclusion, I’ve learned a lot from this class and gained a lot of new tools for my toolbelt. The exposure to different apps, websites, ideas, and people have been bookmarked and I’ll certainly give them another read when the time comes for me to form MY business. So, like the little red toolbox, various tools will be handed down to me and I can either put them in the garbage, or in the closet next to it.