Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, you would think I would have

inherited the ability to make a business succeed. My father started a

grocery store in my small hometown and my mother started an antique

shop. Both had their own successes and failures, but were both content

providing services to others regardless of the profit. In my attempt to

keep this same view, I created http://www.dormdumpster.com.

I wanted to be an entrepreneur, like my parents, giving people

something that they wanted at a lower price or a more efficient

service. My father had low prices and my mother still has a convenient,

efficient shop. My business provides a way for college students to

trade directly on their campus so they don't have to pay for shipping

and commission fees that other sites charge. I am combining low prices

and an efficient approach.

My father always told me that the reason it is great to be an

entrepreneur is because you are the boss and you do what you want. Yet,

in order to be successful and stay afloat, you must put in long days

and always work hard to make a little here and a little there.

As I try to make DormDumpster.com a success, I am finding that being an

entrepreneur sucks and rocks all at the same time. In the end, I found

that you decide whether you have succeeded or failed.

Being an entrepreneur sucks because...

You may have a great idea, but it takes awhile to get it out. Some

ideas may cost a boatload of cash and show no returns for years if

ever. Competition is extremely tough in most markets. No steady,

guaranteed income. There are always Wal-Marts nearby.

It rocks because...

You are your own boss. Regardless of success, as long as you are

content, you have won. You can do what you want, when you want. If you

do succeed, who knows, perhaps you will be the next Zuckerberg. There

are numerous tax deductions.

If you are an entrepreneur, find what you are good at and love, and go

for it; don't let others push you down. If you have an idea, plan it

out and let the world know. Time goes too fast to sit on an idea; use

it or lose it.

Have fun, help others, and be content.