In-depth with the Think Big i-Team: Nick Rossin

This summer, Think Big Partners proudly took on its biggest project of all—managing 9 rockstar interns!  We were so excited to bring on these 9 eager students that we felt like we had to come up with name for them—they are now known as the i-Team. We can’t wait to teach the i-Team all about the world of entrepreneurship, startups, marketing and all things in between.  Learn more about i-Team member Nick Rossin, our bizperc coworking space intern:

NAME: Nick Rossin

FAVORITE COLOR: Orange

3 BEST QUALITIES: Friendly, Easy-going and Hardworking

MISSION STATEMENT:  ”I am person with determination to get any task done through creativity to make it fun, effective and worthwhile.”

Meet Nick Rossin. Nick grew up in Overland Park, Kansas with a younger sister and older brother (Zach, who was a previous finance intern at Think Big Partners!). Nick attended Blue Valley Northwest High School where he was part of the student government, golf team and DECA. He is currently a sophomore accounting major at KU.  Nick is a part of many campus organizations—Sigma Phi Epsilon, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Student Advocates for Financial Education. But when he’s not busy being a star student, Nick likes to play golf and hang out with his friends. He even enjoys the occasional KC Chiefs game (but then again, who doesn’t!?). 

Here at Think Big, Nick has helped with the planning and development of our entrepreneur-focused conference, iKC. Now, Nick has been put in charge of tasks concerning the coworking space, bizperc. So far, Nick’s favorite part of interning at Think Big Partners has been meeting all the new people. The hardest part this summer has been juggling two different jobs.  But this may be nothing compared to his previous experience as a soccer referee. He was yelled at by “over-enthusiastic parents” and he even had to make some parents leave the field!

Within the next 5 years, Nick plans to graduate from KU and then begin studying for his masters. He would love to have a job in sales so he can “constantly interact and meet new people”. His dream job would be “a real estate agent in a cool city or town,” (is KC cool enough? We think so!). 

How Does Nick Think Big? “I Think Big by making life decisions with proper consideration of all possible outcomes and consequences. Just like any entrepreneurial idea, I have learned to Think Big by keeping an open mind and sculpting decisions or ideas into something worthwhile that fits”.

The DNA of a Future Entrepreneur

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR 

We've all heard the characteristics of an entrepreneur—they’re driven, hard-working, passionate and quite frankly, a bit obsessed.  But at the same time, most entrepreneurs don’t know that they’re going to be an entrepreneur at a young age.  So what does the DNA of a potential entrepreneur look like?  We caught up with Devin Mirfasihi, law student at the University of Kansas, who has many characteristics of a future entrepreneur.

1.  Future entrepreneurs want to do everything and kick ass at multitasking

Devin is the perfect example of a would-be entrepreneur because he juggles so many different activities.  He started out as a finance student at KU and quickly landed a job on a Garmin Internet team.  While working at the KC-based company for 2 years, Devin discovered that he could do even more, and decided to go to UMKC to study law.  On the side, Devin is a student rep at Kaplan and has his real estate license. 

So that’s finance, technology, law, student relations and real estate.  A variety of different interests, but he seems to tackle them all with grace.  Being able to juggle multiple interests and tasks is a sure sign of an entrepreneur. 

“I tend to overextend myself,” says Devin.  “But when I think about the future, I just want to have a business that helps a lot of people in a substantial way."

2.  Future entrepreneurs know that work-life balance is important

Although many entrepreneurs struggle with a work-life balance, a majority of them do recognize that it is extremely important.  Young, would-be entrepreneurs feel the same way.  They know that in order to become a success, it’s important to juggle work, family, friends and hobbies as evenly as possible.

“I’m busy and I juggle a lot of things,” says Devin.  “But my project management work keeps me organized.  It’s also very important for me to be social.  I can’t keep up mentally if I’m not being social with friends.”

But these friends are more than just buddies to hang out with on the weekends—they could be future business partners.

“I surround myself with smart friends,” says Devin.  “I look forward to interacting and working with them in the future.”

3.  Future entrepreneurs know the power of collaboration

Entrepreneurs are good at working in groups, are effective team leaders and know the power of collaboration.  Devin commented that he is only as strong as the people he surrounds himself with.

“I don’t do everything myself,” he explains.  “I leverage people and resources to get where I need to go.”

4.  Future entrepreneurs love challenging tasks and problem-solving

For entrepreneurs, problem-solving is a part of everyday life.  In fact, entrepreneurs strive on being challenged throughout the day.  When stimulated with a challenge, entrepreneurs tend to go above and beyond to reach a solution. 

“I always want to learn.  I always want to be challenged,” notes Devin.

5.  Future entrepreneurs don't love the corporate world

Almost every entrepreneur has been in the corporate world before—it could have been a short stint as an intern or a 25-year long career in business.  Whatever the case may be, entrepreneurs can tell (usually early-on), that the corporate world is not for them. 

“Law is pretty corporate,” explains Devin.  “But if I do law, I would like to start my own law firm.  It’s hard, but it’s doable.  I like the flexibility and I like being able to control my own client base.  When you start your own thing, you get to meet different people every day too.” 

6.  Future entrepreneurs are passionate right off the bat

If there’s one thing that current entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs share, it’s passion for an idea.  Passion is the driving force that wakes entrepreneurs up at 3:00 in the morning to write down an idea.  Passion is the reason why entrepreneurs spend 90+ hours a week on a business.  Passion is the reason we see new successful businesses pop up around the world.

“I want to pick something I’m passionate about,” says Devin.  “When I buy into a product, it’s easier to sell.” 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Entrepreneurship in Manhattan...And we're Not Talking about New York

Students have great options when it comes to entrepreneur programs in Kansas and Missouri. And Kansas State is one of them. 

For most students, summer has come to an end.  This week marked the first days of class for many colleges and universities across the Midwest.  For young entrepreneurial minds, the beginning of the semester is arguably the best time of the year.  It is a chance for a fresh start because it opens the door to limitless opportunities.  Right now, you can find bright, industrious minds all over campus actively pursuing various degrees.  But where do these students go when they want to turn their passions into entrepreneurial careers? 

They don’t have to go very far.  The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), Kansas State University (K-State) and Rockhurst University all offer degree programs for students interested in entrepreneurship.  Students at the University of Kansas (KU) can also earn a Certificate of Entrepreneurship from the KU School of Business School.

Entrepreneurship programs are a growing trend among many top universities in the country.  K-State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, established its entrepreneurship program in 2009 as a reaction to the growing demand among students who wanted to pursue entrepreneurial careers.  This year, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship recognized K-State with the 2011 Emerging Program Award.  An honor rightly deserved. 

K-State’s entrepreneurship program is growing fast.  “We are working on bridging the gap between the classroom by connecting our coursework with outside resources,” says Chad Jackson, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at K-State.  K-State has already established a campus-wide business plan competition and a professional mentoring program.  The program is now in the process of creating a venture fund and business incubator to help make the entrepreneurial endeavors of K-State students a success.  

Students that have interest in social entrepreneurship would benefit from looking at K-State’s Entrepreneurship Program.  In the next few years, K-State is looking to focus its direction on social entrepreneurship and startup organizations.  It is put best by Jackson himself: “Social entrepreneurship is already a growing trend and it has the ability to make a huge impact on the world.”

It is wonderful to see so much growth in entrepreneurial education right here in the Midwest.  So whether you’re from Manhattan, New York or Manhattan, Kansas, one thing is for sure—a great idea can come from anywhere.

 Written by Laura Goede

@LauraGThinkBig