How to Start a Small Business

How to Start a Small Business

What does it mean when you say being an entrepreneur takes passion?

What does it mean when you say being an entrepreneur takes passion?

When you find you have a passion, how do you start a company?

When you find you have a passion, how do you start a company?

Is there another kind of passion related to being an entrepreneur?

Is there another kind of passion related to being an entrepreneur?

Are there ways that you can develop a passion, if it doesn't exist?

Are there ways that you can develop a passion, if it doesn't exist?

If you aren't passionate about your business, should you proceed?

If you aren't passionate about your business, should you proceed?

Are there any other thoughts on passion as it relates to starting a business?

Are there any other thoughts on passion as it relates to starting a business?

How to Start a Small Business

How to Start a Small Business

How do I know if I have what it takes to start a business?

How do I know if I have what it takes to start a business?

What is a positioning statement and why do I need one to start a business?

What is a positioning statement and why do I need one to start a business?

Why is it so important to determine all cash needs before starting a business?

Why is it so important to determine all cash needs before starting a business?

What is a business plan and why is it needed to start a business?

What is a business plan and why is it needed to start a business?

What are the first steps to take in starting a business?

What are the first steps to take in starting a business?

Business Startup Survival Secrets

Business Startup Survival Secrets

How To Write An Engaging Cover Letter

How To Write An Engaging Cover Letter

Top IT Jobs In The US

Top IT Jobs In The US

Top Government Jobs In The US

Top Government Jobs In The US

Top Entry Level Jobs In The US

Top Entry Level Jobs In The US

The Dos and Don'ts of Social Networking While Job Searching

The Dos and Don'ts of Social Networking While Job Searching

How To Avoid Common Interview Mistakes

How To Avoid Common Interview Mistakes

 Create A Professional Looking Resume

Create A Professional Looking Resume

How to Ask The Interviewer Your Questions

How to Ask The Interviewer Your Questions

 Reduce Homework Stress By Focusing

Reduce Homework Stress By Focusing

Reduce Stress to Increase School Performance

Reduce Stress to Increase School Performance

How to Unlock the Hidden Job Market

How to Unlock the Hidden Job Market

How to Get Your Resume Noticed

How to Get Your Resume Noticed

View more ...

David Krauskopf is an entrepreneur experienced in starting, financing and growing several companies with direct experience in travel, hospitality, software, computer, and retail industries.   His specialties are in business planning, marketing (internet particularly) and financial management.  David was the general manager of Apple Computer in Russia from (1993-1999) and owned the exclusive representative for Apple Computer in Russia and the Ukraine.  He founded a printing and press room solutions company in Russia in 1996, and these combined companies in 2007 had over $300M in sales revenue.   David helped start and was on the advisory board of Travelpost.com that was acquired by Sidestep in 2007.  In 2000, David developed and now owns Hamanasi Adventure Resort (<a>www.hamanasi.com</a> ), a high-end boutique resort in Belize, Central America.  This resort has 70 employees, high operating margins and is currently ranked number one in Belize and Central America by the hotel review web site TripAdvisor.com.  Mr. Krauskopf lives in Northern Virginia, is an angel investor with New Vantage Group (<a>www.newvantagegroup.com</a>) , David is a volunteer SCORE (<a>www.score.org</a>) business counselor partnering with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and for two years has been an Assistant Wrestling coach at Langley High School.  David holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (2005) and a B.S. degree in Management from Miami University. 

Are there ways that you can develop a passion, if it doesn't exist?

Host: Are there ways that you can develop a passion, if it doesn't exist?

David Krauskopf: You can develop a passion if you are unsure if you have it or not and I think it takes a little bit of a systematic process and some research, in order to figure that out. So what's you need to do is choose a subject matter or couple of subject matters of interest and you need to go out and talk to people who are involved in that, that area or that industry.

I have three great examples of this.

This expert: 194,304 views
This series: 70,220 views

Download to Mobile Device

Print

Transcripts

Host: Are there ways that you can develop a passion, if it doesn't exist?

David Krauskopf: You can develop a passion if you are unsure if you have it or not and I think it takes a little bit of a systematic process and some research, in order to figure that out. So what's you need to do is choose a subject matter or couple of subject matters of interest and you need to go out and talk to people who are involved in that, that area or that industry.

I have three great examples of this. People who I know personally, who went to industry events or association events that are related to these specific businesses. One was for Roller Rink Operators, another one was for the Summer Camp or Kids Camping Industry, which I learned is a very big business and the third is for Trailer Park Owners and businesses around the subject of running trailer park, but in each case these people that I know who went to this events were able to talk to owners and people who are actively involved in these things and determined that hey yeah, I can get excitement and passion for this business.

So, if you get a chance to do this type of thing or you can just go out and talk to business owners. Business owners in general are more than happy to share their knowledge and information about their subject matter and they actually like to do it. So go ahead and just pick up the phone, do a little research and that will help you out tremendously to determine, can you have a passion for this subject matter and also you will get more questions and answers now what it's like to run or own the businesses well. So you can sort of answer both your passion and questions at the same time.

1

How to Write a Business Letter

How to Write a Business Letter

Understanding a Business Letter

Understanding a Business Letter

How to Address a Business Letter

How to Address a Business Letter

How to Write the Main Text of a Business Letter

How to Write the Main Text of a Business Letter

How to Write a Closing for a Business Letter

How to Write a Closing for a Business Letter

How to Proofread a Business Letter

How to Proofread a Business Letter

How do I know if I have what it takes to start a business?

How do I know if I have what it takes to start a business?

How much time is involved in starting a business?

How much time is involved in starting a business?

How does money factor into starting a business?

How does money factor into starting a business?

What specific skills do I need to start a business?

What specific skills do I need to start a business?