Entrepreneurship is...

An entrepreneur, as defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, is one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. I take that definition and add one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise, devotes countless hours of life in research and development before any profits emerge, one who sacrifices time with family and friends, one who is laughed at and questioned for his or her unexplainable passion for a vision that no one else can see, one who is consumed with their success and the success of those that they love, one who is incapable of being happy or successful living the normal mundane life that comes with a predictable and steady paycheck, but who is determined to see a thing through to the end and reap the rewards and benefits of his or her dedication and hard work in all of its various forms.

Becoming an entrepreneur is not for everyone. Some people just have brilliant ideas, and that's ok. That's why partnerships exist. Some people have brilliant ideas and courage to take on impossible tasks and only accept victory. You have to be slightly insane to make this work because it will not be easy. There are many roads to entrepreneurship, but from what I've seen and heard, the journey's are very similar. My road to entrepreneurship started as a child. I've always done things my own way. I've always been a "boss" or bossy according to my brothers.

It wasn't difficult for me to get tired of the rat trap and tap out! I started my first job at Hungry Howies on October 2, 2007, and the last day that I worked for someone else's establishment was June 26, 2014 when I finalized my documents to become my own Independent Business Owner with Arise Virtual Solutions. I've held positions in four companies: Hungry Howies, Bojangles, Office Max, various schools and departments of UAB, H&R Block, and Marathon Solutions Group, LLC. My employment at Office Max is what truly showed me that I was not built for traditional employment! The hours were decent, but the pay was ridiculous and the demands were very high.

As an entrepreneur, you'll discover that you work the hardest when you work for yourself, but the pay and benefits are much better. I remember the day I made my first sale. I felt like I had made a million dollars even though the sale itself was less than $20 bucks. As I continue to build this company and build my brand image, I only hope to bring my passion and my vision along every step of the way and never forget my humble beginnings because that is my true entrepreneurial vision of success.