| 1. I made money high school doing web sites and tech support for individuals and small businesses around my neighborhood. Most of this work either came through friends & family or people I'd met while working in a student job helping people use the computers at the local library branch. 2. I made more in college by making up a paid job with the student affairs department (one that did need to be done, not make-work), related to my role with the student government, and then doing it. Is that entrepreneurial? 3. After I dropped out of college I worked doing odd jobs / handyman work, and as a contractors apprentice, doing home renovations. Once I learned the ropes, I went out on my own and worked for myself doing that. 4. After I finished college I went back to doing freelance web development, again working for myself. While I learned things at all of these, any of them could have been my first $10k if none of the previous had happened. In between, I worked non-entrepreneurially at a series of non-profits / not-for-profits -- a summer camp, my university, a hiking club. I now work for a growth stage company, and it definitely has its advantages in stability and ability to focus on the parts of the job you like. No doubt I will work for myself, and for other non-profits, again in the future. |