1. November, 2006

2. What I am going to talk about
My career path
Entrepreneurship – What is it?
Typical Day
What qualities make a good entrepreneur?
How to get started
Role of school in being a successful entrepreneur
The good, the bad and the ugly
Personal satisfaction
Discussion

3. There is no typical career path for an entrepreneur
LOTS OF SCHOOL
Economics undergrad major
CPA
University of Michigan MBA ’92
BIG COMPANY EXPERIENCE
12 years packaged goods experience
General Mills
Unilever
THEN OUT ON MY OWN!
Founded Buttoned Up in 2004
Married 14 years, 4 ½ year old daughter, live in Ann Arbor

4. Buttoned Up changes the organization game with the concept of Imperfect Organization™
We give busy women the ability to do more by showing them how to organize less
5 products
3 major retailers
All women run and owned

5. Entrepreneurship – What is it?
–noun 1.a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.
On your own vs in a big organization
Considerable initiative
Considerable risk

6. Typical Day of an Entrepreneur – There is none!
A million different hats to wear. Often many in one day.
Marketing, Operations, Sales, Accounting, Logistics, Manufacturing, Office Manager, HR, Community Service, Secretary, Finance, etc…..

7. Qualities Needed To Be A Successful Entrepreneur -The opinion of one
Jack of all trades, master of a few
Willingness to work hard, very hard, very very hard
Must believe in the business 110% despite people always telling you why it ‘will not work’
Self Started
Successful working with a lack of definition, lack of process and few resources
Strong relationship builder
You have to ‘want it’!

8. You need 3 things to get started
Idea
Do your homework/is there an opportunity
Market
Competition
Consumer Research
Issues
Opportunities
Business Model
A Plan

9. Role of School / Experience
No right answer on this
Course Work
You want to learn a little about a lot of things
Operations
Sales
Marketing – consumers, new products, positioning & branding
Public Speaking
Negotiations
Business Writing
Psychology
Network
MBA ?
Depends on where you are and where you are going
First Job Experience
Get a job in business arena doing something you love to do

10. The Good of being an entrepreneur
Flexibility
Nothing feels better than a win or success when it is ‘your thing’
Autonomy
Make your own rules
Greater financial rewards
Chart your own course
Ownership

11. The Bad & Ugly of being an entrepreneur
No structure or support to get things done
You may not make any money…..or you may lose money
Nothing feels worse than when something goes wrong and it is ‘your thing’
No set paycheck, benefits, 401k
It can be lonely
You have to do lots of grunt work and menial labor
No big budgets, expense accounts, fun conferences, etc..
Lack of mentors to learn from

12. Personal Satisfaction
The most satisfying role I have ever had is being the Queen Bee of Buttoned Up – me
Hire the team you want to work with & create the culture
Give back to the community
Balance a family and career
Flexibility but not less hours or commitment
Opportunity to travel and meet many many great people

13. Do you want to be an entrepreneur?
Be realistic when you think about it
And if so, when in your career do you want to do it?
Experience first may help
It is not easy but it is fun and rewarding

14. Discussion/Next Steps

15. Contact Information:
Alicia B Rockmore
Queen Bee
Buttoned Up Inc
(917)
(734)