Internet Entrepreneurship

Wheels referring to bicycles that is. I have recently got into cycling a bit and am interested in buying my own bike. I have come to the conclusion that bicycles are highly underrated. I mean think about it, they are a means of transportation, exercise, and just being outside experiencing the beauty of nature.

As I began my search to purchase my own bike, a friend of mine recommended Bikes Direct. It’s amazing, really. They have all kinds of bikes from road bikes to crossovers to mountain bikes and they allow you to compare different styles and brands right next to each other. Their prices are unbeatable and they offer free shipping as well. If you have any interest in cycling you should definitely check it out.

A friend of mine just told me I should be ashamed of myself for not having a LinkedIn account. I’m not ashamed, though I did go ahead and try it out. LinkedIn has become the facebook for professionals. Whether or not it helps out this particular college kid is a toss up. Check out www.linkedin.com and make your own account. Takes 5 minutes, and the site will upload contacts from your e-mail accounts.

Before taking this course, I was clueless about Google Analytics and what keywords are. Although I learned a few things about these, this clip definitely taught me a few things about maximizing good use of key words. Check it out.

Here is what Seth Godin and Tom Peters have to say about the wonders of blogging. Short clip – but very important.

Thanks to the use of social media giant YouTube, even former students at small colleges like Grove City are able to keep in contact with their friends.  For example, alumni of the Omicron Xi fraternity can check out what their active fraternity brothers have been up to…

Discraft, the leading manufacturer of disc products for ultimate frisbee and a producer of both freestyle and golf discs, has been around since 1981. Because of the internet, Discraft is a healthier company then previously imaginable. As a wholesaler today, Discraft is able to sell products online in large batches to clubs, retailers, and individuals.

They have a great website and good use of social media. Their online presence is huge as there are dozens of websites that sell Discraft merchandise. They in fact do not sell discs in any stores.

This lean, low-cost structure is one of the entrepreneurial facets of Discrafts business. Without expensive shelf space in stores, Discraft has managed through word of mouth and web marketing to become the greatest player in its niche. This small company has found ways to beat out a huge toy producing corporation by efficient use of internet marketing.

While it sounds like a good idea, I thing that creativecommons is a place where creativity is discouraged instead of encouraged.  Basically the point of this website is that one artist can post a tune and another can come and use it for their work. It seems to simply be a place where uncreative people come to find something creative done by someone else. People, lets be creative here. Using other peoples stuff is lame. Think of something yourself! I can see why some uncreative people might like this sight but to me it seems more like a communistic place where creatives are stripped of their creativity and non creatives are encouraged to stay that way. Sorry creative commons, I’m not your biggest fan.

With companies like TOM’s out there now, businesses must start to think more socially to succeed. Who is going to buy a pair of shoes from journeys when they could buy one from toms for a similar price while donating one to a child in need at the same time? Social entrepreneurship is a huge thing now! I would highly encourage businesses to start thinking this way. If you can’t do a one for one type of deal, then think of something. Maybe you could emphasize how the employment is impacting lives, or you could weave in benefit events as a main part of you business. There is ALWAYS something that you can do to help out through your business, and I would even argue that it is a business owners duty to do so. No only is it a good thing to do but I can guarantee that if you implement something of this sort you are much more likely to do well in the business world! Go ahead and try… you will see!

Many people know who Jay-Z is, and know that he is a rapper who has been pretty popular over the fifteen or so years, and that he is married to one of the most beautiful women on the planet. However, most people are surprised to find out that he is an entrepreneur, and a very good one at that. The fact that in 2009 he had a net worth of over $150 Million surely attests to that.

The following is a list of Jay-Z’s very successful entrepreneurial ventures:

• In 2003, Jay-Z opened his successful 40/40 Sports Bar in New York, with a second location in New Jersey.
• Jay-Z is a part owner of the NBA New Jersey Nets
• Former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the most successful recording labels in rap music history
• Founder of Roc-A-Fella Records
• Foudner of Roc Nation Records
• Founder of Rocawear clothing, which records annual sales of $700 Million and which Jay-Z sold for $204 Million in 2007 while retaining many of his stakes in the company

On top of all this Jay-Z currently holds the record for the most #1 Albums on the Billboard 200 by a solo artist. As you can see, it is very clear that Jay-Z truly knows what it means to be an entrepreneur and to take advantages of needs in different markets.