1. First Steps For Young Entrepreneurs
Setting Goals

2. Rate the Following Professions from Most Desirable to Least Desirable
Lawyer
Doctor
Stockbroker
Entrepreneur
Filmmaker, Artist, Musician
Executive at a Large Company
Politician
Teacher
Commissioned Sales Person
Director of a Not-For- Profit Venture

3. The Results
According to a 1997 study by the Royal Bank of Canada, surveying Canadians aged 18-35, these are the results
Entrepreneur
Filmmaker, artist, musician
Executive at a large company
Teacher
Lawyer
Doctor
Director of a Not-For-Profit Venture
Stockbroker
Politician
Commissioned Salesperson

4. Challenges Facing Young Entrepreneurs
Starting a business at a young age poses significant challenges but offers significant benefits
The greatest challenge facing young entrepreneurs is the lack of experience and knowledge they bring to the venture
This is where the numerous business start-up resources come in handy, as most offer their services free of charge

5. Challenges - Financing
Young entrepreneurs typically have no credit history, no collateral, and no track record of paying off debt
This makes it very difficult to obtain the financing needed to start a business
Think of all the physical things that you would need to start a business; where will you get the money needed to purchase them?

6. The Value of Experience
Part-time and summer work, volunteer opportunities, and school leadership positions offer young people the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills
Learning about infrastructure
Develop a positive reputation in the industry
Build a network of contacts
Earn money you can save for the future
Learn firsthand about the industry

7. Setting Goals
A goal is the purpose of your work – the objective you wish to reach
To see how well you are progressing, you need to measure smaller steps or milestones, which can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time
Goals should always follow the SMART principle:
Simple
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely

8. Why Set Goals?
Day-to-day activities keep us busy and often prevent us from reaching our long-term goals, which is why it is important to clarify your goals and write them down and work towards them
Goal setting ultimately leads to change which has both positive and negative effects
If you plan, it allows you to look to the future and choose the path that looks best

9. Wish List
Prepare a wish list of as many things as you can think of that you would like to have or do. (Don’t worry if your wishes aren’t realistic)
Rank your wishes in order of priority and set a target date for the achievement of each
Now, thinking realistically, cross out the ones that you think are impossible to obtain.
What is remaining would be your list of goals