Back when I was in 1st grade, my life was completely immersed in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh, the trading card game. My little squadron of friends and I would beg our parents endlessly to buy packs of cards from Wal-Mart so that we can build our decks and re-enact scenes from the cartoon TV series (Yes, we were obviously the coolest kids in school). Eventually, our parents got tired of draining their wallets to support our addiction. Yet, we collectively used our entrepreneurship spirits to come up with a funding solution: Create our own trading card game! That week, the five of us got together every day after school to develop our very own card game, spending hours drafting rules and drawing different types of cards on folded-up notebook paper. About two weeks in, we had about 500 cards and a complete set of rules to a new game - named "Kronos". We began exposing kids to Kronos every lunch period, teaching more of our peers the rules of the game every day. That year, Kronos became a hit amongst all grades throughout elementary school - everyone wanted to play Kronos. We started selling cards in packs of 10 for $2/pack. Sales were immense, and the five of us constantly struggled to draw enough cards every week to keep up with demand. Together, the five of us collectively made $100 through Kronos. For a 1st grader, it was winning the lottery. Up until that point of my life, I had never seen so much money, and needless to say, the five of us happily spent it all to build our Yu-Gi-Oh Card Collection. Looking back, I realize that it wasn't the money that made me truly proud in that moment - it was finding a solution to a problem by a unique, fun, and unconventional means.
Since then, my passion has shifted from trading card games. Although I am not sure exactly where my life is taking me, I know two things for sure: I love studying everything that goes into a business, and I love Fitness/Nutrition. What I hope to get out of ENT3003 is a unique perspective on businesses from the eyes of an entrepreneur - How do they tackle their own Yu-Gi-Oh Problems? I want to know all about the risks involved in exploring a venture and the mentality that separates the good entrepreneurs from the great. I hope to use this knowledge along with possible networks from this class to venture out in the fitness/nutrition industry later in life.
What's your story? If you're also an ENT3003 student, what do you hope to get out of this class?
I'd love to hear your comments below!
-Ray
Your story is inspiring for all those 1st graders out there, just trying to make a living in order to afford the simple things that bring joy to them. I love how you described your personal experience of entrepreneurship as a young boy. You guys were defiantly beyond your time. Even at a young age you managed to know what your customers wanted and found a way to keep them coming back. Over all you story was well written. I hope that everything works out for you in the future within the fitness/nutrition industry.
ReplyDeleteI respect your initiative within entrepreneurship from a young age and feel that I had similar values at that age. Also, I was fairly obsessed with the Yu-Gi-Oh card game throughout first grade. I can also remember the feeling of awe about earning such a large amount of money as such a young age. I like how you compared your venture to "solving a problem". As an engineer, solving problems is what my life revolves around. I'm also very into fitness and nutrition
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