Very Short Interview No. 1

For my interview, I spoke with artist Adam Brett, my neighbor who I mentioned in my entrepreneurship story. Adam left a 6-figure job in New York City in order to pursue his dream of painting. Since I could not record an interview with him because of distance, he typed out his answers to the questions I sent him. 

• What should my expectations be in this course?
• I think most people would say this course should teach you how to start a business, whoever I believe it is about doing things for yourself. If you want to start your own business, best of luck. However, there is so much more to entrepreneurship, like taking risks and challenging yourself- seeing how far you can push. 
• What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?
• Being an entrepreneur means that you are your own boss, literally and figuratively. You can be your own boss is an economical sense, but also you are in charge of your actions and you determine your future. It is also about choosing happiness. Even if you aren't making the most money, you are chasing a dream, which in my opinion is much more fulfilling. 
• What do you think I should learn in an entrepreneurship course?
• I think my answer above sums it up- find your passion and follow your dream. Don't devote all efforts to the textbook, but really try to soak in examples your professor gives you and really try on your assignments. 
• What do you wish you had been taught in school before setting out on your own path as an entrepreneur? 
• Well, I did attend UF, and got a degree in finance. I quit my job in NYC because I always had a dream of being an artist. I had family in Florida, so I moved to Jacksonville Beach. The lifestyle there is very easygoing- a good work environment for a work ethic like mine. In school, I wish they didn't teach me so much about getting a job, but about working hard to find what I was truly passionate about. 

Speaking with Adam made me really want to reach my goals. I know money is a big priority to many, but I definitely think doing what makes you happy is better in the long run. I believe in the saying. "everything happens for a reason," even if things don't seem like they're falling into place in the moment. I want to make it big in NYC, but I have to really work for it. I think at the end of the day, we all just want to be happy, and I think Adam got that spot on.