June 27, 2017

Congratulations! You made it through a successful year as a Close School starter. Whether you’re currently on co-op or have the summer off, chances are you may have a little more free time now that your evenings aren’t filled with studying and assignments.

Even if you’re just as busy as you were while taking classes, there’s something about summer that revitalizes the entrepreneurial spirit and energizes ideas. Here's a list of ways to use the summer months to turn up the heat on your business or idea.

Back to basics

Juggling demanding classes and a startup company is not an easy feat. This also means that many larger undertakings are pushed back because you simply don’t have the time to do them all. Use the summertime to take a deep breath, and prioritize what you need to complete for your startup. Have a big project that requires a lot of time and attention? Now is the time to do it! Save the smaller projects for when classes are in session.

Helpful hands

Since your friends are also on their summer break, don’t be afraid to ask them for help! Their assistance could even be as simple as a product or service review. This sort of feedback from those you trust is invaluable to your business’ growth.

Work hard, play hard

Yes, becoming a successful entrepreneur takes a lot of hard work; but as the saying goes, “work hard, play hard.” It’s easy to get engulfed in work and deadlines, but more often than not, this causes entrepreneurship fatigue. Remember to take time for yourself, even if it’s a few hours a day to relax with a good book, or a full-blown vacation to a gorgeous beach.

Co-op(portunity)

During the fall/winter and spring/summer sessions, the Baiada Institute offers an entrepreneurship co-op. This co-op opportunity allows student entrepreneurs to receive funding, physical space to grow their business, and mentors to help along the way!

Follow these tips, and see how much your startup’s progress increases over the summer!

Sarah Temple, Communications, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship