Comments on: Startup Advice: Start a company as an undergrad

By: Entrepreneurship as an alternative to job hunting | TalentEgg Career Incubator

Fri, 08 May 2009 20:29:13 +0000

[...] a great way to generate an income while working in a job you’re not completely satisfied with or even while you’re still in school. Low initial investment and minimal pressure are two of the many benefits of initiating any [...]

By: JunLoayza

JunLoayza — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:20:23 +0000

Not EVERY business fails, but I guarantee you that your first business WILL FAIL. Heck, maybe your first three will fail. But I encourage you to keep on pushing.

As an undergrad who lives on campus, you can use your home address (your parents) or your school address as well. I would use your home address just because it’s more permanent.

Hit me up by email at me [at] junloayza.com if you have any specific questions

By: Jasmien Taylor

Jasmien Taylor — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:18:03 +0000

I think starting a business takes work, but I don’t think every business fails. Both of my parents started their own companies, and are very successful. What advise do you have for starting a LLC when you live on campus? What registered street advice do you use?

By: Edu Loans

Edu Loans — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:44:59 +0000

Hello. Great job. This is a great post. Thanks!

By: Akhila

Akhila — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:38:20 +0000

Thats true - I guess when you’re an entrepreneur, you have to re-prioritize - and part of that means not caring about your GPA as much and putting all your time into your business. Splitting your time between various activities, school, and business would just result in a half-hearted attempt to start a business. I guess entrepreneurs really do think differently! Thanks for your reply

By: Jun Loayza

Jun Loayza — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:54:56 +0000

@Akhila - Yu-kai and I had more time during our undergraduate years because we weren't exactly the best of students. Sure we got decent grades, but we spend 30 hardcore hours the week before the final studying. Therefore, we had A LOT of time during the school year to start organizations, join fraternities, and start companies. Being a full-time entrepreneur is definitely more effective. But, being part-time as a student is still very possible. It's possible to work on your start-up for 40 hours, go to class for 12 hours, and do your extra-curricular activities as they fit in your schedule. Sure, you have to sacrifice GPA, but in the entrepreneurial world, your GPA means absolutely nothing. Thanks for your insights Akhila! Jun Loayza’s last blog post..FDTV Episode 24 - Promote your talents on youtube with Olivia Thai

By: Akhila

Akhila — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:03:23 +0000

Great advice! I am sort-of starting up a business as an undergraduate, and I agree especially most of these points. Definitely having a safety net is extremely important when you’re attempting to start a new venture. And the connections you gain from being on campus - from individuals, professors, friends, student clubs, as well as from the great corporate connections that your university has are really invaluable when you’re starting from scratch. I’ve found the connections on campus to be the most helpful thing.

However, I don’t completely agree with the idea that there’s always more time. As an undergrad, your primary focus is on studying - that’s what you’re paying for. Depends on the university and the major, but I feel like trying to get a good GPA takes up a LOT of time. In addition, you have commitments to other extracurriculars and it’s sometimes difficult to have just ONE thing you’re focused on. And finally, I was talking to someone recently (a professional, starting a nonprofit) and she told me that she knew someone who was starting up his own microfinance wholesale lending nonprofit (similar to what we’re trying to do), and he had to work full time for 18 months before he could provide his first loan! This scared us because there are so many complications involved that it was difficult for someone working full time to do. How could we as students do the same thing, working part time? It’s difficult, and I’m sure it’s because we’ve chosen a particularly difficult idea…so I guess the best idea is to simplify, and better results will follow. Still, I feel like working full time you can accomplish SO MUCH more.

Akhila’s last blog post..The most difficult job ever?

By: Jun Loayza

Jun Loayza — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:00:20 +0000

It’s a wonderful thing, ain’t it?

I’m going up in March btw! Definitely hanging out
Jun Loayza’s last blog post..FDTV Episode 24 - Promote your talents on youtube with Olivia Thai

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:18:05 +0000

That girl isn’t wearing any pants!