It’s easy to write off new entrepreneurs from unlikely places, and we as a society have trained ourselves to forget about those condemned to prison and correctional facilities. Yet the resilience shown by many prisoners, eager to reintegrate into society in productive ways, is the exact type of tenacity necessary to succeed in the unpredictable world of startups and freelancing. Non-profit Defy Ventures has been tapping into that previously untouched potential, setting the stage for inclusive entrepreneurialism. Finally, investors and business leaders are beginning to take notice.

THE DEFY MODEL: OPPORTUNITY AND IMPACT

Defy Ventures is a non-profit that challenges society’s perception of incarcerated individuals by viewing them as Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs)—full of untapped potential. This shift in perspective is more than semantics; it represents a profound change in how society perceives incarcerated individuals.

By providing hands-on training and traditional educational resources to inmates seeking career development, Defy helps overcome the lack of access to resources faced by inmates. The organization upgrades participants with leadership development, personal growth training, and startup incubation. Defy’s focus extends beyond startups to include gig workers, digital nomads, handymen, HVAC technicians, and freelancers, supporting small business owners with essential tools to kickstart their careers and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The non-profit’s impact is far-reaching, providing a powerful solution to reduce recidivism rates. According to the report dated 2021, Defy Ventures has a three-year recidivism rate of less than 15% (compared to the national average of 39%), and 84% of Defy graduates who were seeking employment found job placement. Defy is changing the lives of EITs and reframing the narrative of what an entrepreneur can look like, where they can come from, and the environments in which they can thrive.

WITNESSING IMPACT: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

Defy’s narrative of transformation demonstrates that the spirit of resilience and the passion of prisoners—combined with education, new opportunities, and support—translate into successful entrepreneurship from a segment of society too often brushed aside.

As an entrepreneur and volunteer, I was honored to participate in a Defy Ventures pitch competition and attend Defy’s graduation ceremony in a California prison. I went in with many misconceptions about the program and the participants, but my experiences with Defy rewrote those expectations. I learned that it takes nine months of rigorous study, examinations, and focus on personal growth, which prevents the faint-hearted and less resilient individuals from making it onto the EIT graduation list. Defy challenges participants and finds those with the tenacity and adaptability that any business leader knows are so vital in today’s tumultuous job market.

I believe that it is crucial to avoid romanticizing this journey or overlooking the past mistakes of the EITs. Instead, Defy’s aim is to recognize the current potential in each of them and provide them with the tools and opportunities to nurture that better future. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs came from troubled backgrounds and have overcome personal struggles, reinforcing that adversity often breeds resilience and innovation. Defy’s graduates embody this energy and possibility.

THE CALL TO ACTION: OUR ROLE AS INVESTORS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Inclusive entrepreneurship is the idea that all people, irrespective of their demographic, socioeconomic, or personal characteristics, should have equal opportunities to become entrepreneurs, start their businesses, and contribute to the economic development of their communities. As investors and business leaders, we can further this cause by considering how our portfolios can diversify and thus encompass ventures, freelancers, and entrepreneurs that break traditional molds.

Investors and business owners can consider collaborating with organizations like Defy Ventures and others that provide training and support to marginalized groups such as the incarcerated, immigrants, veterans, and refugees. Often non-profits eager to team up with hiring partners, these organizations have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by marginalized individuals and can help develop their entrepreneurial skills. Collaboration can be a quick shortcut to finding untapped pools of freelancers and gig workers.

By investing money and support in these programs, you contribute to their sustainability and enable them to continue their valuable work, essentially lengthening the alternative entrepreneur’s runway through education and mentorship. There can also be tax benefits for supporting these organizations financially. When hiring, consider utilizing such non-profits as a starting point for due diligence and skill verification. They can provide insights and recommendations about the skills and potential of their graduates, helping you make informed decisions and identify talented individuals who may bring diverse perspectives and experiences to your team.

Another crucial step is to encourage your own HR teams to broaden their pool of applicants for both traditional employment positions and freelance or gig work. Leaders can encourage teams to request certain new hires or contracting positions be filled with alternative freelancers who will bring valuable and unique insight from their unique experiences. Consider implementing strategies such as storytelling screening processes, skills-based assessments, and targeted outreach to underrepresented communities to ensure a more inclusive and equitable hiring process.

By actively working with organizations that train marginalized individuals, supporting them financially, and widening the scope of applicants for gigs, financial leaders and business owners can embrace inclusive entrepreneurship. By doing so, they not only contribute to social impact but also unlock untapped talent, drive innovation, and create a more diverse and resilient business ecosystem.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The work of Defy Ventures and similar organizations serves as an inspiration for both young entrepreneurs who are seeking to make a difference and investors keen on partnering with organizations that promote inclusive entrepreneurship. The journey Defy Venture’s graduates embarked upon is about more than starting a business. It is about reclaiming prisoners’ lives, defying the odds, and breaking cycles of negativity. For the EITs, inclusive entrepreneurship is not just a vocation but a lifeline.

When I was in school, online learning wasn't nearly as accessible or developed as it is now.

There was a time when taking online courses was viewed as a weak alternative to face-to-face learning.

With the advent of new technology in distance learning, this has changed irrevocably. 

In fall of 2020, around 75% of all undergraduate students were taking at least one online education course.

However, even those who aren’t working toward a degree are increasingly preferring online learning due to its numerous benefits.

Here are some tips for learning online to deliver more value to your digital education.

Tips For Online Classes In 2023

If you’re taking an online class, you might be facing some unique challenges and might need tips for online classes. However, you need to remember that your efforts will pay off and deliver your desired destination.

Audo organizes online courses for people who want a positive change in their life and to acquire valuable knowledge for their future.

Here are 7 tips for learning online to help you get the most out of learning experience:

‍

1. Treat it like a real class

An online class can be just as real as an in-person class if you have the discipline to treat it as such.

This means being present and engaged in the class, with your camera on, not on your phone, and not skipping class just because you “don’t feel like going.”

The flexibility that online classes offer is a blessing and a curse. You can learn from anywhere, at any time, but you must discipline yourself to do so. 

Treat an online course with the same respect you would an in-person course, and you will reap the benefits of this incredible tool.

‍‍

2. Take responsibility

One of the best tips for online classes is just take the responsibility for your journey.

When you’re a student in a traditional school setting, your parents and teachers set deadlines for you and require you to meet them.

However, if you’re seeking out coursework on your own, it’s up to you to hold yourself responsible for your work in an online course.

You also need to figure out if you are a degree or a certificate preferring person.

If you want to succeed in your course and get the most out of it, then you need to be responsible for your education.

Set deadlines for yourself to complete all assignments before they’re due. It’s vital to learn how to manage your time, stay organized and be disciplined.

The more effort you put into self-discipline, the more you’ll thrive with your online classes.

‍

3. Set a routine

One of my best tips for learning online is the importance of building a routine.

Not everyone works best under the same circumstances, so you'll have to do a bit of work to find out what works for you.

Do you work best in the morning? Afternoon? Evening?

Do you prefer to study in small increments every day, or to schedule large chunks of time together once or twice a week?

The better you know yourself, the easier it will be to create your own personalized study routine.

Make sure you create realistic goals for yourself when you create your study routine.

  It’s no use telling yourself you’ll study 2 hours a day if you’ve never managed more than an hour. 

Start small and work your way up to build your confidence step by step.

‍‍

4. Check your progress systematically

Tips for online classes include productively is to check your progress systematically.

While it’s important to have a routine, it’s equally important to make sure that the routine you’ve created is actually serving you. 

Don’t just obsess over doing your routine perfectly–take a moment to ask yourself what works and what doesn’t. 

Have you been sticking to your routine?  Where did you deviate?  Did you make progress even if you didn’t achieve your goal?

As you work through these questions, try to be objective. 

If you find that you’ve overestimated your potential, don’t beat yourself up about it.

  Try recalibrating to see if there are changes you can make to help yourself get there. Or, perhaps the best thing to do is take a few steps back and be patient with yourself until you’ve grown a little more.

‍

5. Be kind to yourself and celebrate your achievements

One potential downside of online learning is that the lines between work and play can become blurred.

It's important to take breaks when needed, so you can show up for your class without burning out. 

Be kind to yourself when you don’t achieve your goals, and celebrate the times that you do.

This can be as simple as spending a night out with friends, which can itself act as a way to get you recharged and refocused on your goals.

‍

6. Avoid procrastination

Procrastination is the deadliest of all bad habits. It paralyzes us when we tell ourselves, "I'll do it tomorrow." Procrastination not only threatens your productivity and ability to achieve your goals but it also makes you stressed out and anxious. 

Putting things off only lengthens the amount of time that you have to worry and stress out.

Make sure you tackle the tasks you hate the most first when you make your to-do lists.

This will give you the push you need to keep going rather than stand still.

If you’re tempted to procrastinate, create a reminder on your phone.

You can also use online Pomodoro Timers to balance out work and breaks.

You’ll force yourself to take breaks, and you will train yourself to switch between the two seamlessly.

‍

7. Give it your all

Here we go with number one tip for learning online. You only have one life to live–surely you don’t want any of it to go to waste.

When you sign up for an online course, you’re taking a step towards an important goal. 

Maybe you’re learning a new language for a trip you have planned, or picking up a skill to help you get a promotion at work.

As you pursue your goals, remember to take a moment to remind yourself of why you made this commitment in the first place.

If you can visualize what it is you want, it will be that much easier to give it your all.

Remember that lifelong learning  is essential for good life quality. 

These tips for online classes will help you get the most out of your online education, without the benefit of in-person learning.

Follow these tried-and-tested tips, and you’ll create a routine that brings out the best in you.

How to become an entrepreneur? Entrepreneurial thinking is the ability to spot a way to do something better than it's been done before, and then to make it happen.

Entrepreneurship has taken many forms, from the artisan shops of the Middle Ages to the multinational corporations of today. However, every entrepreneur has his or her own unique story. 

While some entrepreneurs have been full-time business people, others have worked other jobs and used their skills as entrepreneurs at night or on the weekends.

Some entrepreneurs started companies that were intended to create only one new product or service; others were the founding patrons of entire industries.

Becoming an entrepreneur is all about building something out of nothing but an idea, and that’s a concept as old as time itself.

Who Is An Entrepreneur?

Most people don't understand what it means to be an entrepreneur. Many are even scared of the word, attributing to it negative connotations such as 'risk-taking' and 'failure.' 

Here we’ll take a  look at the very nature of entrepreneurship, from both a strictly factual perspective, and from a more personal perspective.

Deciding to be an entrepreneur does not make you one. Nor does being born into a family that encourages entrepreneurship or joining a startup immediately after graduating from college.

An entrepreneur is someone who organizes and operates a business, taking on significant financial risks to turn their dream into a reality.

Entrepreneurship can be a deeply fulfilling, liberating and empowering way to live.

Starting a company and growing it from a seed of an idea to a thriving company, however, can be very difficult.

You need a lot of business savvy and skill in order to navigate the steps to becoming an entrepreneur. 

While some people are born with the traits necessary to be entrepreneurs, others have to learn them through practice. 

The good news is that, if you have enough drive and determination, you can learn how to be an entrepreneur.

Should You Become An Entrepreneur?

Why become an entrepreneur? The benefits are many, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. 

Here are a few of the main reasons you might find the answer on why become an entrepreneur and what changes it can deliver. Learn the steps of becoming an entrepreneur.

1. You want to be independent

The main reason why most people choose to become entrepreneurs is because they want independence.

When you create your own company, you work for yourself. 

You don’t have to report to anyone, get anyone else’s permission to make decisions, or be beholden to a schedule that you don’t set.

2. You want to have greater freedom and flexibility

Entrepreneurship grants you a certain level of freedom and flexibility that most people don’t have.

You can build a schedule around your own needs, control your own salary, and grow your business as fast or as slow as you want.

3. You see a niche in the market you want to fill

Entrepreneurs often start their own businesses because they see an unmet need in the market.

If you stumble across a business opportunity that no one else has identified, you can find success by offering people something they cannot currently get elsewhere.

4. You want to share your creative passion

A strong desire to help other people provides many entrepreneurs with the motivation they need to succeed. 

Passionate people who want to share their creative ideas with the world can make a difference in that way by becoming an entrepreneur.

5. You want extra income

Money should not be the primary motivating factor in your life, but it can be the driving force behind successful entrepreneurship. 

With financial risk comes the potential for great financial gain, and founding a company can lead to high levels of income.

Skills You Need To Cultivate To Become An Entrepreneur

You may have the most business savvy, but that doesn’t mean you should rest on your laurels. Here are some skills to practice every day if you want to become a successful entrepreneur.

1. Communication skills

Communication is key to working effectively with other people.  In order to be an entrepreneur, you need to know how to practice active listening. 

Improve your communication skills by reading up on civil discourse and active listening, asking others for honest feedback, and proofreading all written communication.

2. Leadership skills

Leaders know how to motivate, inspire, and guide the people they lead. Practice your leadership skills by taking on more responsibility, striving for discipline, and taking initiative. 

A hunger to learn and challenge yourself will help build you into the leader you need to be.

3. Strong focus

Entrepreneurs can’t afford to take their eye off the ball.  Hone in your ability to focus by setting goals for yourself every day. 

Consistently check in with your progress and make a daily effort towards your goal. You’ll soon develop a stronger sense of focus that will serve you well on your entrepreneurial journey.

4. A drive to learn

The best entrepreneurs are curious people. The more interested you are in learning, the more you’ll grow.  Use every challenge as an opportunity to learn. 

The only person you’re competing with is the person you were yesterday, so try every day to learn more than you knew before.

5. Flexibility

Routines help center us and keep us fixed on our goals.  But life throws us constant curveballs, which is why flexibility is a must-have for any entrepreneur. 

If you practice flexibility, you’ll be able to push through challenges without becoming derailed. Challenge yourself to adapt to new circumstances and practice humility by becoming willing to change when needed.

How To Become A Successful Entrepreneur

So, how do you become an entrepreneur? There are many tips that can help you get started on the path to creating your own business.  

Here are a ten initiatives for an entrepreneurial plan:

1. Identify profitable startup ideas.

The first step in how to become an entrepreneur is to come up with an idea for your startup. 

A business is only as good as its ideas, which means that this is the single most important decision you’ll make in your journey.

Brainstorm on products or services your business can provide its customers; then do research to see which ones have the greatest potential for profitability.

2. Identify and focus on a growing category (or categories).

It’s okay if your business isn’t entirely unique.  Maybe you’re inspired by the variety of subscription box services popping up around the world and want to do something in that vein.

  As long as you’re offering something that no one else is (or doing it in a better way) and you market yourself properly, you can take advantage of a surge in popularity around a certain area—and eventually grow beyond it.

3. Fill an underserved demand.

Maybe you’ve been working in a coffee shop for years, and you’ve realized that there is only one bakery in your city that delivers gluten-free pastries.

Because the demand for this niche product isn’t being met, you could capitalize on it by starting your own bakery.

4. Make something better (or cheaper) than what’s out there.

Always look for ways to improve the things people are already doing.

If you can find a way to create a better way to do something that’s already being done, that’s a valuable business idea worth pursuing.

5. Validate your startup idea with buyer persona research.

Before you narrow your product focus, do your research on potential customers. The more you know about who your ideal customers would be, the better you’ll be able to serve them. 

By researching data on who your ideal customers would be, you’ll be able to focus your time on qualified prospects and develop a product that meets their specific needs.

6. Start with a minimum viable product (MVP).

A minimum viable product (MVP) helps you to improve your product early on by receiving and integrating user feedback.

This gives you a plethora of information about your customers with very little effort.

It also allows you to release your product as quickly as possible, test it before committing to a larger budget, and improve it based on customer feedback.

7. Create a business plan.

Your business plan is the road map to your company's future. 

Early investors want to see a formal business plan, so try to be as detailed as you can with it early on.  You can always refine it and add to it over time.

8. Continue to iterate based on feedback.

If you have a minimum viable product, seek feedback from your customers to ensure that you’re creating something that solves their problems.

If you don’t have a minimum viable product, incorporate feedback into your work to make sure you’re best serving your customer’s needs.

9. Consider a co-founder.

Having a co-founder or two can help you run your business and take some of the pressure off. 

It is easier to delegate work with someone else by your side who has different skills than you, and the stress of running a business will be lessened when there are more than one people sharing it.

10. Manage your business and keep learning.

Once you’re on the ground, you’ll want to keep learning new things about your business.

The more hands-on you are, the more you’ll understand how your business works and how you can improve.

Starting a business is not an easy task. It takes courage and risk. Some businesses succeed, and some fail.

You may think the challenges of starting a business are enormous. You’re right.

That’s why most people don't start a business, or taper off after the initial excitement and motivation fades.

If you want to become an entrepreneur, you need to start applying what you've learned in this guide, by adhering to the trends, and by being honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses.

You can be among the small minority of self-employed individuals who are successful in building companies they are passionate about.

Our lives are ever-changing. New technology is constantly being updated, skills that were valuable for us only a few years ago might no longer be relevant, and the speed at which this change occurs is increasing with each passing year.

Continuous learning is the best way to stay ahead of the curve. By continuously learning, you can develop your skills and grow in your career.

According to research, 54% of employees believe that continued training and new skills are essential to keep up with workplace changes. 

Too often, companies fail to implement the training necessary to help their employees succeed.

Constant learners, however, take it upon themselves to learn new skills and stay relevant by doing so.

In this blog post I will cover everything you need to know about the importance of continual learning, how it can benefit your life, and what steps you can take to practice it with purpose.

‍

What Is Continuous Learning?

Continuous learning is the continuous desire to keep learning, developing new skills and techniques, and refining your existing ones.

It is a pathway to not only developing the skills necessary to excel in your career, but also to grow and be a better person.

Unlike traditional schooling or on-the-job training, continually learning is something you take on yourself to grow and learn new skills.

You should never feel like you’re constantly learning without interruption. 

Continually learning is about being willing to take opportunities to improve your skills and abilities over the course of your life. It is a lifelong learning journey. 

The Benefits Of Continuous Learning

There are no limits to the ways in which one can benefit from continually learning. 

I owe much of my success to this practice, as I believe that my desire to grow and learn as much as possible played a major role in getting me where I am today.

Here are some of the ways in which you can benefit from being a continual learner:

1. Improve your skills

The first and most important benefit of continuous learning is that it can help you learn new skills.  80% of people agree that learning new skills would make them more engaged, but only 56% of people actually go out and learn new skills. 

When you make a habit of learning new things, you open up a world of opportunities. Even something as simple as taking an online course in programming can take your career to the next level. Get aware of how to learn new skills. 

2. Be confident at what you do

When you don't have the skills to do your job well, your mental health suffers just as much as your work does. 

‍40% of workers with poor training decide to leave their companies within the first year. 

This shows the importance of continual learning in building our confidence at work. 

When you know you have the skills to do what’s demanded of you, you find out just how much a sense of confidence can help you achieve.

3. Keep up with current innovations

You may be perfectly qualified for a job when first hired, but if you’re not a continual learner, you’ll soon fall behind. 

Technology changes rapidly, which affects almost every industry in the world.

As the world changes, so do the needs of business.

Accountants are switching from paper filing to digital, programmers have to learn new coding systems, and the real estate market is constantly shifting.

Continuous learning allows you to stay on top of new developments, learning new skills when necessary and adapting seamlessly.

4. Get ahead in your career

People who take the initiative and go above and beyond in their work are rewarded. 

If you take the reins of your own training, your superiors will notice your effort and reward you for it. 

Taking an extra online class or two might make you eligible for a promotion or provide you with an extra bargaining chip for a raise.

If you stay stagnant and don’t try to learn, however, don’t be surprised when you’re still working the same job after 15 years. 

To get something different, you have to do something different. Continuous learning is the key to getting you where you want to go in your career.

5. Become a more well-rounded person

Continually learning is not limited to your career. Continuous learners embrace growth in every area of their life, making them more well-rounded people. 

Pursuing personal development goals will make you a more likable person and improve your social and professional relationships.

By practicing mindfulness, you can become more emotionally adept. 

Learning to play a new instrument can also help you become more cultured and enrich your life through new hobbies.

How To Practice Continuous Learning With Purpose

If you want to become a continuous learner, you’ll have to make a concerted effort to practice it with purpose. Here are a few ways you can create a culture of continuous learning:

1. Maintain a growth mindset

The goal of continually learning is to create a habit of growth, so that you can keep growing throughout your life.

The more you embrace growth as a way of life, the easier it will be to welcome opportunities instead of turning them down.

If you cultivate a mindset of constant growth, you’ll be amazed at the opportunities that present themselves.

For example, you may notice a poster advertising a dance class or start researching online courses to find one that seems interesting.

When you choose to remain open to growth, continuous learning becomes a way of life.

2. Set goals for yourself

It’s difficult to be a continual learner if your desires are vague.  Sure, you may have a desire to learn Italian, but what exactly does that look like? 

Do you want to be fluent by a certain date? Take a certain number of classes in a year? Prepare for a upcoming trip to Italy?

If you set concrete goals for yourself, these goals can provide the necessary motivation to keep showing up for the learning process.

3. Get feedback from experienced personnel

Growth is impossible without feedback.  Without feedback from people who know what they’re talking about, you risk standing still. 

Seek out feedback wherever you can in order to identify opportunities for growth.

Ask your boss at work to identify areas in which you could improve and then check in with him or her regularly to see how you're growing.

Find people who have the skills you want and ask them what they did to obtain them.

Feedback will give you an objective gauge of where you are in the learning process, so that you can accurately measure your progress.

4. Join groups to find other learners

Learning is a lot more fun when you are doing it with other people.

A great way to motivate yourself to learn new things is to join groups of people who share your common interests.

By taking online courses you can find new opportunities, advice and camaraderie in a new environment.

Online platforms can be particularly helpful by putting you in touch with other people taking the same online courses as you.

5. Check your progress

To keep up your motivation to keep learning, take a look at how far you've come. 

Check in with yourself regularly to see the ways in which you've grown. What new skills have you gained?

  What courses have you completed? What changes have you seen in your life since you started?

Writing these things down can help you see just how beneficial continuous learning has been in your life.

6. Put your skills to use

Never let a new skill go to waste. Put it to use in whatever way you can, even if it’s just a little bit, to keep yourself sharp.

If you’ve learned to play the piano, incorporate it into your life by booking a concert series with friends. 

If you’re learning a new language, plan a trip to another country to practice speaking with the locals. 

This will cultivate inspiration and drive in you to continue developing your skills and finding new skills to pursue.

‍

Why Adopt Continuous Learning In Your Life?

If you want to continuously learn, online platforms can help you do so. If you're interested in adopting continuous learning, then career building destinations like Audo can connect you with helpful courses that teach you valuable new skills.

One of my goals with Audo is to provide a space for people to discover new skills, gain knowledge and experience life-changing moments. 

With Audo, you’ll get specific course recommendations based on your own unique interests and skills.

You’ll start seeing the benefits of continuous learning right away as you join the marketplace, where you can put those skills to use.

If you consider yourself not missing an opportunity of learning, get tips for online learning to make the process more valuable. 

Continual learning requires a growth mindset, an unwavering thirst for knowledge and a dedication to change. 

If you embrace continual learning, you push yourself to a higher level of potential than you ever realized possible.

I encourage you to follow these tips and become a lifelong learner.  It may take some work, but the results will be well worth it.

How to learn new skills has always been one of the most popular questions during all the courses of time.

However, it gained more popularity due to the entry of novelties and new industry demands.

Learning new skills is an enriching, rewarding experience that shouldn't be confined to universities or corporate training sessions.

Being a skilled person means having a large toolkit of various skills. That allows you to solve a wider variety of problems in your life than someone with just one or two very specific skills.

But accumulating new skills is difficult. You can't just read a book, implement and repeat. That won't make you good at anything, or let you hold your own in the long term.

According to research, 80% of people agreed new skills to learn would make them more engaged. Despite this figure, only 56% of people actually go out and make the effort to learn new skills.

You can improve the quality of your life and career by learning new skills.  Read on to find out how to get started and keep building upon the new skills to learn.

‍

The Importance Of Learning New Skills

Whether you’re looking for a job or trying to advance in your career, the skills that you have are what set you apart from your fellow employees. 

Not changing with the times is fatal for any sort of work. Of course, we're all given skills training at universities. But it's not enough to have taken a course in spreadsheet programming.

It is a lifelong learning experience. How to learn new skills? Surely, you have seen that new programs are coming along every day, so you have to know how to use each one.

If you focus on new skills to learn that are the most useful for your growth, you can impress potential employers and build a strong resumé.

Let’s say you want to be a graphic designer; by taking an online learning course to learn how to use Photoshop, you open yourself up to higher-quality graphic design jobs.

New skills and knowledge open doors to many different career possibilities. 

For instance, if you take a programming class and discover that you have a knack for IT work, you can use this information to your advantage when looking for jobs.

‍

How To Learn New Skills Quickly

Trying to learn everything at once can be overwhelming. In order to start the journey of new skills to learn quickly and completely, build a strategy to do so. Follow these tips on how to learn  new skills quickly and effectively:

1. Set goals for yourself

To move forward, you need to know where you’re going.  Ask yourself what your goals are.  A promotion at work?  A change of career?  Increased social connections? 

Once you have a sense of what it is you’re trying to achieve, you’ll be able to identify the new skills that will get you there. 

For example, if your goal is to get promoted to a management position, then you may want to take online courses that help you gain the soft skills needed to excel in that position, such as time management and conflict resolution.

2. Identify the skills you already have

While we may want to be good at everything, it usually doesn’t work that way.  It’s better to build upon our strengths instead of focusing solely on our weaknesses. 

A great way to identify useful skills to learn is to ask yourself which skills you already have. 

Are you good at working with people?  Skilled with technology?  Talented with language?  

For instance, if you have excellent people skills and want a position that requires managing other people, what other skills do you need? 

Maybe you have the people skills down but lack some of the technical knowledge required for the position. Online courses or training can help you become a perfect candidate for your desired position.

3. Break down new skills

It can also help to break down big skills into little skills. If you want to be more disciplined, break down your goal into smaller skills. 

Time management, motivation, and accountability are all useful skills that will help you achieve your larger goal.

Once you have identified the smaller skills that make up the larger skill of discipline, you can focus on learning each of them one at a time.

4. Make a list of obstacles and benefits

Before thinking on how to learn new skills, you need to know that learning is challenging. There will always be an obstacle standing in your way. 

It may be money, or time, or simply a lack of willingness. Whatever the obstacle is, you need to identify it.  You must overcome it if you ever want to learn the skill in question.

For each new skill you want to learn, write a list of the obstacles in your way. Maybe you want to learn to speak Spanish, but you have no extra money for classes and little free time to learn. 

To help yourself overcome these barriers, write out another list of all the benefits you’ll receive from the new skill.

Maybe learning Spanish will help you take on even more clients at work or take that trip to Spain you always dreamed of. Look at this list for inspiration whenever an obstacle is convincing you to give up.

5. Set up a rewards system

A great way to stay motivated while learning new skills is to set up a rewards system for yourself.

When you've successfully gained a new skill, how will you celebrate? It can be as big as taking a trip abroad or as small as going out to a favorite restaurant. 

Rewarding yourself for your efforts can help you create a positive association between learning and rewards.

‍

How to Learn New Skills Quickly| 5 Tips

Once you've gotten started learning new skills, it takes time, patience, and determination to keep going. Here are some suggestions for mastering new abilities:

1. Be realistic

You won’t become a master overnight.  Be realistic with what you hope to accomplish and give yourself a break if you’re moving slower than expected. 

As long as you stay consistent, none of your efforts will have been wasted.

2. Check your progress

Getting better at a new skill is hard, but it can be even harder when you don't have the right motivation. Take a moment to check your progress at regular checkpoints.

  What have you been doing lately to learn new skills?  What have you accomplished?  How far have you come? 

This will help you remember the effort you’ve put into learning something new and encourage you not to give up.

3. Keep practicing the skills you learn

The path of new skills to learn is an ongoing process, with some skills you learn once and that’s it, but others require practice to grow.

Keep practicing the skills you’ve learned and find new ways to incorporate them into your life. This will keep you sharp, and you’ll go from novice to master with time.

4. Find fellow learners

When you define new skills to learn with other people, you get a lot of benefits you wouldn’t get when learning alone. If you take an online course, reach out to the other people in your class to connect.

You can tap into a wealth of advice and opportunities by connecting with other learners in the same boat as you. They can provide invaluable feedback that will help you improve even more!

5. Seek out resources

While most skills are learned through trial and error, it can be helpful to take classes or join a group dedicated to teaching that skill.

If you like the idea of continuous learning, here are tips for online learning to help you boost your potential. 

Look for resources that teach some of the skills you’re interested in acquiring. For instance, if you want to become a web developer, research coding bootcamps and other online courses in that field.

You can even attend conferences dedicated to programming to network with other people in the industry.

‍

Why Adopt Learning New Skills In Your Life?

If you’re trying to learn new skills, an online learning platform makes learning easy and convenient. I created Audo to help Gen Z and Millennials gain career-relevant skills to set them up for success.

Unlike other online learning platforms, Audo takes into account your skills, experience, and passion to help you find which courses best suit your needs. 

Now that you know the most effective strategies to learn new skills, there’s no reason not to get started.

Following these tips will help you get started on this learning journey, and don’t forget to stop every once in a while to appreciate all of the useful new skills you’ve acquired to make your life better.

As industries continue to evolve and the nature of work becomes more dynamic, lifelong learning is becoming increasingly essential to stay competitive.

More and more, people are realizing that education is a lifelong process, not something limited to the years of formal schooling.

Lifelong learners continue to study, learn new skills, and try new things. They’re curious, open-minded people who continually adapt to change.

Lifelong learning became a requirement for me early on. As an Environmental Studies major who decided to build companies in the publishing and music industries while in college, it quickly became clear to me I needed to pursue learning opportunities beyond the classroom in order to make an impact.

I'm a big believer in seeking out new skills and using the digital resources we have at our disposal today.

‍

Top Examples of Lifelong Learning

So, what does lifelong learning look like?  The truth is that there are many ways to engage in it. The beauty of learning continually throughout your life is that you get to choose what, when, and how you learn. 

Here are some examples of lifelong learning to get an idea of how you might learn:

Taking a course

Don’t let your education come to an end once you’ve finished high school or college. Lifelong learning means taking advantage of opportunities to learn about a topic that interests you, whether it’s through an in-person or online course.

It could be a course to learn a new skill for work, to learn a new language, or to improve your creative writing skills. Online courses are an excellent way to keep learning on your terms.

Gaining a new skill

Everyone learns in different ways, but it's common for people to learn a new skill by taking classes or trying it out themselves. 

Some skills, like salsa dancing and playing the piano, have official classes you can take, but plenty of other skills, like baking crème brûlée, can be self-taught through trial and error.

Researching a fascinating topic

If you have an interest in something, you can take it upon yourself to learn more about it. 

You might be a fan of the Golden Age of Cinema and decide to read up on old filmmakers. 

Or maybe you’ve just found a podcast that covers financial tips for dummies. You can learn outside a classroom if you’re willing to go looking for it.

Familiarizing yourself with new technology

Plenty of jobs require you to use complex technology or software applications. Playing around with new tech can help you get a handle on it so you can take advantage of all it has to offer.

When you invest in new technology and learn how to use it, that's an example of lifelong learning.

Pursuing personal development

One of the best examples of lifelong learning is having a hunger to know ourselves better. 

When you pursue things like meditation, self-discovery, and even therapy, you’re engaging in the process of learning more about yourself and how you work. 

This is a worthy area of study that can never be fully explored.

6 Benefits Of Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learners experience countless benefits that those with closed minds do not. These include:

1. Better work performance

The more open you are to learning, the better your career will be. Lifelong learners continually gain new skills, improve their performance and learn from everyone around them. 

Strive to treat every experience as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow.

2. A healthier mind and body 

Learning something new can have a profound effect on your health. Not only does it help your mind stay sharp, but it can improve your mental wellbeing and self-confidence.

It also keeps you mentally (and sometimes physically) active, which improves both your energy levels and your overall wellness.

3. Improved self-confidence

The more you learn, the more skills you acquire. 

As a result, lifelong learners are constantly improving, overcoming obstacles and fearlessly taking on new challenges.

They’re building themselves into the people they want to be, which allows them to tackle whatever life throws at them with self-confidence. 

4. Valuable new skills

Lifelong learning gives you new skills that can change your life for the better.

You’ll become familiar with a wide range of topics, more adept at using technology, and more cultured. You’ll gain hard and soft skills that help you navigate work and social life. 

Whether these skills are for personal pleasure or professional gain, they will enrich your life and expand your social circle.

5. Greater self-awareness

Many people wander through life without truly understanding who they are and what they want. It’s difficult to find out what motivates us, inspires us, and strengthens us.

Lifelong learners discover the things they like and the things they don’t.

They also gain a greater understanding of what interests them, what nourishes them, and what they need to do to succeed with self-awareness.

6. Stay up to date

Being out of touch with the rest of the world is one of the worst parts of having a closed mind. 

You’ll struggle to keep up with new technology, feel excluded from many conversations, and find yourself overtaken at work by people with up-to-date knowledge. 

Being a lifelong learner allows you to stay current, educating yourself with the latest innovations to make sure you keep up at work and in life.

‍

Tips To Start And Be Engaged With Lifelong Learning

If you’re interested in becoming a lifelong learner, just know that it's worth it and learn the true benefits of lifelong learning. There are a few tips you can follow to get started. 

These tips and examples of lifelong learning can be practiced daily to help you make continuous learning a habit, helping you get through the temptation to quit when you face obstacles. 

Try new things

The best way to see what interests you is to try new things.  Indecision can paralyze us, so it’s best to move forward even if you aren’t sure of the outcome. 

If you want to learn to speak a new language, find a class that seems interesting and take it.  Even if you decide in the end that learning a new language isn’t for you, you’ll learn more about yourself than if you had simply done nothing.

Be curious

Having an open mind is key to being a lifelong learner. When new opportunities present themselves to you, don’t ignore them. 

Ask questions, be curious, and feel free to explore. When you choose to be curious in the unknown, you open yourself up to new opportunities to learn and expand your horizons.

Set goals

To make sure that you’re continuing to learn new things, set regular goals for yourself. 

Maybe you want to spend a certain number of hours a day learning a new skill, or take a certain number of classes by the end of the year. 

If you have measurable and achievable goals, it’s easier to show up for your dedication to learn.

Find fellow learners

It’s a lot more fun to learn something when you’re doing it alongside other people. If you take an online course, get in touch with other members who have the same passion as you. 

This can help you find new courses or groups from which you can learn even more. 

Your fellow learners can also share their knowledge and advice on their own learning journey, which can inspire you to keep growing.

Getting Started With Lifelong Learning

I believe that people should be able to pursue courses that match their personality and interests rather than be forced into a narrow set of educational options.

That’s why I created Audo, an online learning and career-building destination that connects people with the resources to discover their passions and the courses they need to get ahead. 

Audo guides you in the learning and self exploration process, using A.I.-driven recommendations to help you find which online courses are the best match for you and your goals. 

Audo rewards lifelong learners by giving individual and effective examples of lifelong learning to acquire new skills and start earning money.

Learning throughout your life can help you improve your wellbeing and mental health, build new relationships, and more.

By committing to lifelong learning, you open yourself up to new opportunities and the chance to create a better future for yourself.

Gen Z'ers are leading the trend in freelance work.  Freelancing used to be viewed as a risky endeavor, a break from the security of a 9 to 5 job that wasn't always guaranteed to pan out. But as employees are increasingly less willing to stick to a traditional work routine, freelancing is skyrocketing in popularity and feasibility.  The number of freelancers in the US boomed from 57.3 million in 2017 to 70.4 million by 2022. That number is expected to keep growing, with estimates of 90.1 million freelancers in the US by 2028.

So what does this mean for anyone looking to set off on their own? Freelancing and the gig economy is a viable option worth considering. There are numerous avenues for people to find freelance work, as I’ll explain in this article. Read on to find out more about the ins and outs of a freelance career.

What Is Freelancing?

So what is freelancing? Freelancing is the act of performing specific work for clients while not being employed full-time by any one organization. One of the most attractive benefits of freelancing is that you are essentially your own boss, working for yourself instead of an employer. Freelancers can work for multiple clients at a time, whereas employees are typically committed to one company.

Freelance projects come in many shapes and sizes. While freelance jobs are generally short-term in nature, satisfied clients often request follow-on work from the same professionals again and again. Freelance professionals are available across a wide range of skills, including copywriting, programming, engineering, and marketing.

Who Can Be A Freelancer?

Freelancing comes with the freedom to work in the capacity of your choice, but how do you determine what niche to focus on and prepare yourself for success as a freelancer?

Freelancers have a wide variety of job opportunities available to them, including writing, graphic design and dog walking. Freelance job portals can help you find work in your preferred field.

One of the most important attributes of a freelancer is discipline. As your own boss, you’ll have to hold yourself accountable for your actions. You won’t be able to rely on a fixed income as a freelancer, so you’ll need to work hard at finding new opportunities if one falls through. This can be difficult at times, but there are plenty of people out there who have managed it. You may have to keep hustling for a while, but if you have the drive and persistence to keep going, you'll earn enough to see yourself through the various ups and downs.

Gen Z And Freelancing As A Career

Freelancing gives up the comforts of a full-time job, such as healthcare and retirement benefits. While you do have to pay your own health insurance, and you don’t get paid time off, you also gain freedom to set your own boundaries around work. You can work for whomever you want, whether it's multiple clients or just one. Your salary is up to you and your skills—in some cases, your salary can be comparable with or better than what a regular job earns.

The median annual personal income of freelancers has increased significantly over the last few years. Between 2014 and 2018, the percentage of freelancers earning over $75,000 a year leapt from 17% to 31%.  The more time you spend freelancing, the more clients you will attract and the higher your earning potential will be. Gen Z and Millennials have found that freelancing is a lucrative and rewarding career option.

How To Become A Freelancer

Becoming a freelancer isn’t as hard as it looks, and it’s easier than you think. Simply go to any website that offers freelancing jobs and assignments, and apply for them. Working on a freelance basis can be slow-going at first, but you can build up a client base and earn higher rates as you go.

Freelancing sites can help you find work or clients to work with. Here are some websites where you can find freelance jobs:

1. Fiverr

Fiverr is a valuable resource for freelancers of any kind.  You can create a gig for pretty much anything, from creating graphic designs to writing online articles and content. You set your own rates, and clients find you through Fiverr’s search feature.

2. 99Designs

99Designs is a graphic design company where you can create logos, websites, book covers, and more.  Depending on your niche, you can offer any graphic design service under the sun to interested clients through a secure and trustworthy platform.

3. Upwork

Upwork is similar to Fiverr, although it’s the freelancer who seeks out the client rather than the other way around.  This makes it easier to get started, however, as you can submit detailed applications to gigs that fit your qualifications.

4. Audo.com

Audo.com is a career-building ecosystem that uses AI to recommend which skills you need to succeed in your career.  I founded this company to provide Gen Z with the tools they need to learn skills and earn money at the same time.  All you have to do is fill out your interests, abilities, and experience, then watch as Audo provides you with a personalized skill path towards making money.  Once you’ve completed coursework, you can use your new skills in our marketplace to earn money as you continue to learn more skills.

5. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is another site that works similarly to Upwork. Freelancers can create a profile and bid for projects with their own pitches that explain why they’re the best person for the job.  Freelancers will work out an agreed payment amount with the buyer, which will then be delivered to them through the site.

Like any career, freelancing has its benefits and drawbacks. Before you go down that path, make sure you’re willing to assume the risks that come with freelancing. While it offers you professional independence, it can also come with insecurity and the danger of failure. But the more you’re willing to take risks in order to follow your professional ambitions, the more opportunities you’ll have to establish your brand and reputation as you achieve your goals.

Certificate vs degree has become a question of many arguments. Going to college and getting a traditional education used to be the surest way to open up career opportunities for your future, but that’s no longer the case.

While traditional education is still considered the norm, it is no longer the only option for achieving career success, and more effective and attainable options are available today.

The number of people enrolling in certificate programs to gain a greater understanding of their industry, obtain vital skills, and become more valuable employees is increasing year over year.

According to a recent report, about 51.3% of American adults have a college degree, certificate or industry certification.

Degrees or certifications can expand your career options, but the path you choose should be the one that is right for you.

This blog will cover everything you need to know about certificate vs degree, so that you can make a more informed decision about which one is right for your career.

So, get entirely aware of all advantages and disadvantages to end up making smart decisions for the benefit of your career. Are you a certificate or a degree person?

‍

What Is A Certificate?

A certificate is a document that verifies you have completed a specific program of study within an industry.

Certificate programs usually offered by colleges, universities, or private companies.

While a degree offers a wide range of knowledge and expertise, a certificate program usually provides training for technical or skill-based jobs. Examples include:

• Marketing

• Sales

• IT fundamentals

• Data science

• Nursing

• Web development

• Dental or medical-assisting

• Firefighting

• Real estate

• Massage therapy

• Construction

• Plumbing

What Is A Degree?

A degree is an academic title that you receive after graduating from a university.

A degree vs certificate entails much more than the basic knowledge you need to work in a certain field, and can in fact prepare you for several different roles depending on your focus.

Degrees can be divided into four categories:

Associate degree

An associate degree is higher than a high school diploma but not as intensive as a bachelor’s degree.  It takes around two years for a student to complete.

Associate degrees can include:

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Bachelor’s degree

To get a job in many fields, some employers will ask for a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree takes about four years to complete and includes general education classes in addition to courses pertaining to your specific major.

Bachelor’s degrees can include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Master’s degree

A master’s degree is a post-baccalaureate program consisting of more rigorous classes within a specialized field of study. Programs usually take between two-three years to complete.

In addition to degrees within specific niches, the three basic master’s degrees include:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Doctoral degree

A doctoral degree is the highest degree you can obtain, and it certifies your expertise in a particular field.

The types of doctoral degrees include:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Practitioner doctoral degrees, such as Doctor of Education (EdD) or Doctor of Health Administration (DHA)

The Primary Differences: Certificate VS Degree

So, do you need to go for degrees or certifications? What's the difference: certificate vs degree?

 Some people believe a degree is more valuable than a certificate, and some think the opposite. 

The difference between a certificate and a degree usually involves the time and cost to earn them. 

Here are the main factors you need to know about certificate vs degree to choose your option:

Time commitment

Certificates are usually less time-consuming to obtain than degrees. A degree can take between two to four years to complete, while a certificate can be obtained in just a few months.

This is because certificates require fewer courses and can be taken according to your schedule.

Requirements

Another difference between a certificate and a degree is the requirements for enrollment.

Because most degree programs require a high school diploma or GED, they are often more viable options for people without either of these qualifications.

Depth and scope

Certificates teach you about a single topic. Degrees, on the other hand, allow you to explore a wide range of topics in depth.

This can be useful to people looking for comprehensive knowledge, while a certificate can be useful for those looking for specific knowledge.

Cost

The cost of a degree vs. certificate is based on the number of courses you take. 

Because degrees require many more courses to complete, the cost of a degree is much higher. 

However, both certificates and degrees offer financial aid options that can help.

Job opportunities

If you want to get a specific job, then a certificate might be enough to help you land that particular position.

But if you want your education to make you eligible for a wide range of jobs, then one degree can get your foot in the door in many places.

‍

How To Choose: Certificate VS Degree

In order to choose whether certificate vs degree, consider factors like your job ambitions, time constraints, and financial resources. 

Here are a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself before deciding:

• How quickly do you need to earn your credentials?

• How will you balance work and school?

• What field do you want to work in?

• How far do you want to advance in your career?

You may find that, while a degree would be ideal, it’s unrealistic for you to afford the time and money necessary to obtain one. 

However, you may find that obtaining a degree is a long-term goal worthy of pursuing through online and night classes.

Many personal factors need to be considered to think over degree vs certificate and come up with the right decisions.

Self Learning And Certification

There are plenty of ways you can get certificates through online or offline self-learning. These can help you upgrade your skills and even explore new careers.

One of the most difficult steps in starting along a path of education is choosing what to pursue. My company, Audo, aims to address that very problem.

Audo is a career readiness and management platform using AI to tailor data-driven career paths by integrating paid gig work into the learning experience.

Our AI-powered assessment maps your passions and interests to the careers that are right for you.

You can level-up your skills, earn certifications and turbocharge your career by taking courses and earning credentials from our education partners. 

Do your research before embarking on programs offering degrees or certificates.  Have a clear picture in your head about where you’d like to be in five years.

Do you want to be working your way up in the industry of your choice?  Freelancing while pursuing a master’s degree?  Starting your own business?

The path toward your goals will come into clearer focus if you can get a clear picture in your mind of where you want to be.

And if you want some assistance in creating that picture, take the Audo Guide assessment.

Deloitte’s 2021 Retail Industry Outlook report has some relevant findings for those willing to think outside the box.

Many young entrepreneurs and freelancers see opportunities in the highly disrupted 2021 economy, particularly in relation to bringing new products to digital markets that are only starting to stabilize in response to the pandemic.

Deloitte’s “2021 Retail Industry Outlook,” which surveyed fifty retail executives to analyze trends within the industry, demonstrates some of the unique ways young entrepreneurs and freelancers can benefit from retail trends. Digging in, we are able to see some ways that freelancers and others can pivot in 2021 to take advantage of retail industry shifts and turn existing skill sets into new avenues of professional growth.

Talent needed for digital formats

One of the major themes in the 2021 Deloitte report is an emphasis on reimaging how digital space is used by retail companies, and the importance of proactively orienting toward digital marketplaces as a long term strategy, not a short term stop-gap. In order to accomplish this, Deloitte recommends hiring digitally savvy, versatile talent that will reimagine websites, apps, and digital spaces to increase sales and improve UI.

Young entrepreneurs are also tapped into one of the biggest concerns for consumers today: trust, privacy, and transparency. According to Pew Research, 81% of the public believes that the potential risks of data collection by companies outweigh the benefits. Designing sales fronts and apps that put data privacy and consumer protection to the forefront of UI development will give new entrepreneurs an edge in an ever more cautious digital space.

One of the major lessons learned from the retail environment of 2020 was that supply chains were delicate and consumer behavior was harder to predict. Young entrepreneurs will succeed at solidifying supply chains and distribution networks through innovative partnerships forged outside of traditional frameworks that struggled to adapt in 2020. These will require digitally savvy talent able to reimagine how data is collected and connections are made in online sales spaces.

Livestream and virtual showroom content

The Deloitte report points to a growing trend in China of live streaming product demos, and many young entrepreneurs with live streaming experience from the gaming world could capitalize as this trend comes to the United States. As Inc’s Lindsay Blakely notes, the growth of livestream shopping in the US is particularly strong for male consumers and dads, which means content live streamers already confident in writing copy and performing live for male audiences could thrive in retail demoing of consumer electronics, luxury goods, or other products which benefit from the live stream format.

The Deloitte Report also pointed to the extreme importance of new, contactless ways of connecting consumers with products, including 3D Virtual Showrooms and consumer-oriented image databases of retail products. Freelancers in the photography space, many of whom struggled with 2020’s decline in public events, could pivot their efforts and portfolios toward virtual showroom photography that is oriented toward consumer behaviors. This would be a way for freelancers to partner with small businesses to create captivating online content that drives brand loyalty.

Complexity and personalization

One of the biggest results of the online retail shift of 2020 is the drive toward personalization and digital differentiation. This means that companies should be considering how to add personalization options and unique details to all items offered, and to design products and UI to be oriented toward digital customers. The folks over at Deloitte argue that “everything could emanate from the customer, precisely because AI makes such personalization possible by achieving economies of complexity (handling personalization at the lowest possible cost) rather than economies of scale (handling production at the lowest possible cost).”

In essence, “bespoke” is hip in the digital retail space. Young entrepreneurs and freelancers can take advantage of this trend by imitating companies that create innovative UI and allow for the kinds of customizations that matter to Millenials and Generation Z shoppers. Companies in the delivery home cooking, beauty, and skin care industries have been highly successful in these efforts: young entrepreneurs looking to move into any retail segment should look to how customization, combined with innovative digital sales platforms, can increase profitability.

Long term opportunities

Deloitte’s 2021 Retail Industry Outlook is optimistic about opportunities in 2021 for the retail industry to rebound and operate more efficiently. While many small businesses failed in 2020, and many young entrepreneurs put their dreams on hold, 2021 offers post-vaccine hope of rebounding sales, particularly within the digital space. By focusing on new virtual spaces, customer UI, privacy, live streaming, and bespoke customization, young entrepreneurs can take the best lessons from 2020 and integrate them to promote rapid expansion in 2021.

Perhaps more importantly, those looking at 2021 as an opportunity to pivot from previous experiences to a space in the retail industry can utilize the need to present products in new ways to demanding digital customers as a way to sell existing skills. Photographers, live streamers, brand managers, product developers — many freelancers and young entrepreneurs can benefit from the move away from brick and mortar to a more adaptive and dynamic digital retail space. By focusing on customer experience and new conceptions of digital space, young entrepreneurs can still reach medium and long-term business goals through rapid 2021 growth.

Originally published on Entrepreneur

‍

One of the greatest challenges you’re going to face as an inquisitive, thoughtful person is boredom. Part of the reason so many of us are glued to social media is our fear of boredom, and the anxiety we face when we simply aren’t interested in what we’re doing, or worse — we don’t seem to have anything to do.2020 only served to increase this challenge. After all, one of the primary ways we stave off boredom is by going to new places, interacting with others, and engaging in valuable activities. Exacerbating the reality of social distancing and stay-at-home behavior is the fact that, for so many of us, work has now come home as well, meaning we can be bored at home, and at work… at the same time. But boredom can be dangerous for businesses, especially leadership and entrepreneurs: boredom in the short term can decrease productivity, while boredom in the longer term can lead to business decisions made out of impatience and desire for change. As a young entrepreneur, I’ve worked hard to train myself to turn moments that could be boring into opportunities for growth. With a little bit of effort, we can choose to turn boredom into a tool for improvement.

Attain Mastery and Follow Trends

One way to deal with occasional or longer term boredom at work is to choose to become a master of some subfield or topic in your job that is interesting to you. Working from home makes it easier to engage in side research or study in a topic of interest, and anytime you learn something in your field that makes you an expert, you have improved your marketability and value as an employee or leader. If you can obtain certification in some interesting subfield or related subject, push yourself to avoid periods of boredom by directing them toward that mastery. Once you’ve mastered a subfield, use off time and periods of boredom to read up on the latest trends in that topic or subfield of mastery. This will allow you to stay current and curious while learning new things all the time. By having a specific theme to search for or read about during periods of boredom, we can use that time constructively rather than doom scrolling on social media or waiting mindlessly for that next zoom meeting to start.

Schedule Well and Brainstorm Wisely

As the Founder of The Doe, one strategy that I like to apply when working at home is to determine which ‘boring’ activities I have to do that day, and then scheduling a specific period of time for completing these tasks. It’s easy to procrastinate for work tasks we know we will find boring, but by setting a clear time to start and a deadline, we give ourselves motivation and the promise that the boredom will have a clear endpoint. By making boredom a part of your work routine and controlling it, you’ll find it less frustrating. Boredom can also be controlled by giving the mind something productive to meditate about while engaged in boring activities. We all have ideas that cause us to say, “I wish I had some time to just think about that.” By keeping a list of those, and setting it aside as a “boredom brainstorming list”, you can focus your boredom mind into an uninhibited period of thought. These boredom brainstorming sessions can be full of innovation and creativity, turning an annoyance into an opportunity. Anyone can suffer from boredom now and again, but if we can package it into tolerable chunks, harness it to gain mastery over skills, or reorient it toward thoughtful meditation, we can make boredom a tool for improving our home work flow. Originally published on Thrive.

‍

As an Iranian-American and entrepreneur, I have a special place in my heart for young Iranian-Americans who find success. I believe in supporting Iranian-Americans who can start their own businesses, create art, or just try to make the world a better place. It’s even more exciting when Iranian-American siblings come together to do something really special.

I co-founded Guin Records with my sister, Misha Kordestani, back in 2018. Since then, we’ve signed a couple artists and grown our startup together. It’s difficult to explain, but the power of two siblings working together builds on the foundational understanding we have of one another. After all, wouldn’t you rather start a business with someone you’ve known your entire life, as opposed to a brand new investor or business partner?

Culture also plays a huge role in the operation of our label. Iranian culture is very family-centric, so it’s no surprise that there are dozens of Iranian-American siblings who also happen to be successful entrepreneurs.

In this article, I’d like to take a closer look at Iranian-American sibling entrepreneurs who are making waves in their respective industries.

Celine and Joline Nehoray

According to their website, Beverly Hills Lingerie is a company “created for women, by women.” Iranian-American sisters Celine and Joline Nehoray founded Beverly Hills Lingerie in 2018, with a vision to build on the lingerie-as-streetwear trend that began in the 1980s and has resurfaced in recent years. In addition to their appreciation for past trends, the Nehoray sisters also believe in high-quality products. They design all of their lingerie in the French tradition of expert craftsmanship and style.

As Celine and Joline Nehoray continue to build their brand, they also strive to focus on sustainable business practices. Their lingerie pieces are produced in limited quantities to reduce waste and ensure that every customer gets limited-edition clothing. Most importantly, every piece is created by hand in Los Angeles.

Paul and David Merage

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Hot Pocket, you have Paul and David Merage to thank for it. These Iranian-American brothers were born in Tehran, but migrated to California to attend college. While at school, the brothers came up with the idea for a food company based around American-style snack food. Soon after, the duo founded Chef America.

The flagship product of Chef America was the Hot Pocket, which turned out to be hugely popular. Like an American version of an empanada, the Hot Pocket combines various fillers with a crunchy, crust exterior. Not only did Americans love the taste, but they also loved the convenience, as hot pockets can be heated in the microwave and eaten on the go. Due to the company’s success throughout the 1990s, the Merage brothers sold their business to Nestle in 2002 for roughly $2.6 billion.

Ali and Hadi Partovi

Though not the youngest duo on this list, Iranian-American siblings Ali & Hadi Partovi might be the most well-known, especially in the tech world. As the identical twin sons of a renowned Iranian physics professor, Ali and Hadi Partovi grew up with a thirst for education and a strong, entrepreneurial spirit. The two gained prominence as angel investors for a variety of tech startups in Silicon Valley.

However, their talents are not just limited to smart investments. The two have worked on several projects over the years, most notably as the co-founders of Code.org. Here’s how Ali and Hadi describe their flagship startup:

“Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. Our vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education.”

Emad and Adel Tousi

It’s hard to find a family business that dates back as far as Tousi Rugs. The high-end rug retailer has been dealing in Persian rugs since the late 19th century. Over the years, the business has been handed down through the family’s generations. Today, Tousi Rugs is owned and operated by fifth-generation entrepreneurs, Emad and Adel Tousi.

While these rug sellers did not found Tousi Rugs, the brothers are certainly trying to reinvent their family business. Now marketing their products to both designers and consumers, the Tousi brothers have expanded their business to a larger segment of the market. Additionally, the Tousi brothers incorporate modern designs and colors with the more traditional Persian rug patterns of centuries past.

Bahareh and Farzaneh Safarani

While the Safarani sisters may not fit the standard image of entrepreneurs, they’ve definitely made an impact in the artistic world. These Iranian-American siblings currently live in Massachusetts, though their art has been featured in exhibits all over the world. If you take a look at their website, you’ll see that the Safarani sisters are both innovative and extremely talented. Their works include traditional drawings, performance art, and even “video-paintings.”

Despite being successful entrepreneurs, the Safarani sisters primarily identify as artists. Their art has been praised for its focus on their sense of dual identity, the relationship between siblings, as well as their Iranian heritage. Even in the time of Coronavirus, Bahareh and Farzaneh Safarani continue to share their live art performances with the world — albeit from a distance.

The enduring power of family

The bond between siblings is something that lends itself to entrepreneurial success. Additionally, the family-centric nature of Iranian culture has allowed many Iranian-American siblings to flourish in various spheres — from tech to performance art. Needless to say, I count myself lucky to be an Iranian-American and to have a sister with whom I can share my passion for music, business, and giving back to my community. I look forward to even more Iranian-American siblings and entrepreneurs finding success in the future.

Originally published on Entrepreneur.

‍

Whether you are yet familiar with the Dunning-Kruger Effect or not, it is a theory which has a profound impact on our lives and you can avoid the worst of its dangers by being aware. Overconfidence can cost a young entrepreneur money, talent and time — and with the added risks and opportunities of 2021’s unique economic environment, it’s more important than ever for aspiring moguls to step back, self-reflect and think about some weak points where Dunning-Kruger can easily creep in.

Understanding the effect in question

In 1999, psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger published a groundbreaking paper, “Unskilled and Unaware of It,” in which they demonstrated that people assume they are more knowledgeable or talented than they actually are, in a number of domains. In other words, we all overestimate our skills or expertise in some way. But Dunning and Kruger went further to point out that the more unskilled you are, the more likely you are to overestimate your abilities.

There has been a lot of discussion relating to the Dunning-Kruger effect related to politics and COVID-19 science in 2020 and 2021. But the concept is also an important one for those in finance and is especially relevant for young business owners who have not yet made enough mistakes to learn harsh Dunning-Kruger lessons.

Overcommitting and over outsourcing

In my opinion, the biggest Dunning-Kruger threat for small business owners is that we often take on new challenges that we don’t have the skill set for, instead of hiring specialists and outsourcing tasks to experts. As the founder of The Doe, I felt a confidence that I knew how to handle most aspects of the company I had created. But bringing in talent to focus on product creation, UI development and social media has only demonstrated that I was right in realizing that I did not have the specialized knowledge I assumed I had.

For many companies, the restricted economy of 2020 meant layoffs or downsizing. Many pushed forward with their dreams with a skeleton crew. These hardworking and industrious owners kept the economy going and kept their dreams growing by becoming a jack of all trades, taking on extra responsibilities and filling in the gaps. But we can’t let Dunning-Kruger lure us all into assuming that we should maintain that overcommitment and stop gap effort as the economy stabilizes in 2021.

Owners need to remember to not take on fields and tasks outside their competencies. Instead, outsource our weaknesses to dynamic, talented experts and let them work their magic.

Forgotten elders

With so many of us tucked away in quarantine for almost a year, it has been harder to stay connected to co-workers, creative partners and professional mentors. It is easy to forget that young entrepreneurs can learn a lot by picking the brains of older colleagues and friends who can describe lessons learned from previous mistakes. Dunning-Kruger often encourages us to ignore others who remind us that we don’t know as much as we want to believe, and 2020’s social isolation made that even easier.

A smart and self-reflective young owner will recognize the importance of learning from mentors, and will make the effort to create opportunities to still have those interactions. Digital coffees, zoom cocktails and other ways of connecting with advisors will remind us all of our limits and where we can learn more, and avoid the isolation that allows Dunning-Kruger to fester.

Beginner’s luck and Robinhood

So many of us put business plans on hold in 2020, until our industries rebounded; but our boundless energy motivated us to grow our capital while waiting. With the massive growth of commission-free trading, new amateur-trading platforms like the now maligned Robinhood, and a clear market bottom in March 2020, a significant number of young entrepreneurs used 2020 as a chance to invest business funding into the stock market and multiply their seed money. These success stories could could continue to turn tragic, as 2021 continues, if these entrepreneurs get too distracted by the siren’s call of a hot market.

The Robinhood story is a confluence of an unusual 2020 market and a set of untempered new investors. 2020’s wild ride in the stock market meant nearly anyone could make money, it’s just a matter of how much. A perfect scenario for Dunning-Kruger. Billionaire investor Chris Sacca took a swipe as the Robinhood bro culture, arguing that all the brand new investors who made money in the market this year “are not actually that good at it.” Sacca’s point is a tip of the hat to Dunning-Kruger: Many of those Robinhood investors who made, and continue to make, serious gains now see themselves as knowledgeable and skilled. If those investors are banking on those skills to fund their next venture, they may find themselves on the wrong side of the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

2021 offers a chance to evaluate your talents… and limits

As a young entrepreneur myself, I have always argued that self-reflection is a necessary step in being a great leader. One of the most important processes for successful self-reflection is honestly evaluating what we are good at and where we do not possess expertise. Being aware of the Dunning-Kruger Effect, especially as it pertains to bad habits we might have picked up in 2020, allows us to avoid its pitfalls and traps.

A new study commissioned by GoDaddy found nearly 86% of respondents looking for a career change wanted a path that was completely different from what they currently do. Comfortingly, in order to get a leg up in their job hunt, 47% of those polled turned to taking online courses while 42% learned a new digital skill and 31% have begun building a professional network.

If there’s a bright side to this otherwise overconfident morass, it’s that actual education and preparation may once again be in vogue.

Originally published on Entrepreneur.

‍

It’s not my kind of job. It’s just messy. I’m surprised that they don’t get a shitload of Mexicans willing to do that. They ship them all back to Mexico? These were the responses of four unemployed Americans in search of work when asked if they would consider working on a dairy farm. In the same area, when asking a Puerto Rican if he would do the work, he said “Yeah, if there’s work to do, I’ll start right now.” The average pay for one of these immigrant workers is $12 per hour from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m., with additional compensation of a living area on the farm. Simply put, the majority of Americans refuse to work in those conditions, and with 78 percent of farm workers in the United States foreign-born and 60 percent of farm workers in the United States undocumented, it’s no wonder why farm owners across the U.S. are panicking at the thought of immigration reform. Chances are the food you ate today was planted, plucked, and packed by workers who were born in Mexico or central America.

In the United States, facilities known as immigrant detention centers are required to fill their beds with illegal immigrants every night. Even workers who have been employed at these farms for years and whose employers consider family can end up in one of these facilities. As more and more immigrants are deported, we lose labor in a market that Americans won’t fill. “They’re good at their jobs,” said an anonymous farm owner, referring to immigrant workers, and when they get deported farm owners are left without a source of labor. Many of the owners feel as though there is no reason to even grow their business if at any second their workers can be deported by the government. A dairy farmer in New York said that, “day to day, we’re caught in between the crosshairs of the government that makes the laws and the agencies that enforce the laws”. While everyone is just doing their jobs, the disconnect seems to lie between those who are making the decisions in the government.

Our current legal immigration system does not meet the needs of the farm workers in the United States. Currently, workers “have to hide their faces like hardened criminals,” and tax payers have to pay billions of dollars to deport “peaceful people doing a job even unemployed Americans don’t want to do.” The only program in place to help immigrants to stay and work in the United States is the H-2A visa program which allows qualifying agribusinesses to hire foreign workers to fill temporary workloads. Most analysts, however, argue that it’s a broken system, riddled with bureaucratical inefficiencies, especially since this program only applies to seasonal workers. This means that for all other laborers, it’s a matter of when — not if — they’ll be picked up and placed in a bed of a detention center to be deported, all paid for by tax dollars. And once they’ve been deported, the workers come right back because they’ve been away from their original home so long that the United States has become their home. This cycle is not only a waste of taxpayers’ money but is also extremely hard on the agricultural economy.

As the demand for food products grows along with the population, farmers will increasingly struggle to keep up with demand, leading to the United States developing a reliance on foreign countries to produce our food. The Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation said that “If nothing changes, we’re going to continue to see more shortages and more instability in the markets… We can’t sustain in that environment, and we will get to the point where instead of importing our labor, we’re importing our food.” Solutions have been proposed, such as to create a “blue card” program to allow those who have proven their value as workers to stay, or to revise the H-2A program to make it easier for farmers to gain laborers as quickly as they need them. Almost all the ideas lead back to one answer, which is that we need to allow immigrants to come into this country to work the jobs Americans don’t want.

As said by Martin Herron, who worked at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement from 1998–2011, “Immigration is a battle that cannot be won.” Martin suggests that we create an amnesty to allow immigrants into the country because we need them. For the Hispanics who come to the United States, it’s a matter of migration north for them. Herron stated, “If you’re standing on one side of the street and you’ve got nothing, and you look over to the other side of the street and they have everything, to me it’s just common sense, why can’t I cross the street?”

Instead of trying to find a way without immigrants, why don’t we find a way to keep them and continue to allow them to be a part of the American story of agriculture?

Originally published on HuffPost.

‍

Hi Friend,

It’s been awhile since we last spoke, since we went our separate ways. I remember thinking that unfriending you on Facebook was such a great idea; I wouldn’t have to see your posts that I disagreed with, and you wouldn’t see mine. We’d go our separate ways and be much happier, right? But now months have passed, and I feel like I’ve lost a friend. Honestly, I’m sorry, I’m sorry I jumped to just cutting you out instead of thinking about how we could mend this friendship. The last several months have been crazy, but someone just reminded me that we’re actually living in the most peaceful times in human history, so why doesn’t it feel that way? I was looking through old photos and ran into some of you and me — do you remember that time we snuck out late at night to go to the movies and see the new Batman? We thought we were so cool sitting in the very front row, being obnoxiously loud, and laughing at all of our hilarious inside jokes that wouldn’t even spring a chuckle out of a stranger. It was looking through those pictures that I began to think of you. We stopped talking because we thought “we’re just too different to be friends.” But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve realized, we’re really not that different at all.

The United States has always celebrated the differences in the opinions of its people. The “melting pot” of individuals who reside within our borders serve as a reminder that each one of us is different, and the government reflects those differences. With all of this attention on the United States right now and the tension between Democrats and Republicans, it would be easy to assume that we have nothing in common, but that’s just not true. Both of us consider ourselves patriots, both of us support helping nations in need, and both of us feel that more should be done to help the less fortunate in the United States.

Take the “travel ban” that there has been so much disagreement about recently, while you and I disagree on the implementation of a ban, when we look at the big picture, every member of the government and almost every citizen of the United States of America agrees that something must be done to stop terrorism and supports measures to help prevent attacks. Or what about the idea that taxpayers in the United States should help other countries in need? While initially I thought we disagreed on this, fundamentally, we don’t. Democrats and Republicans “both believe that taxpayers should provide funding to other countries around the world. The bipartisan Commission on Appropriations approved $40.1 billion in foreign aid for the 2013 year.” (Tyler)

Helping those in need is a concern that both of us have. While Democrats generally receive much of the press for attempting to find ways to ease the burden of the poor in the United States, and the Republicans are seen as the party of the wealthy, there are many Republicans who take poverty very seriously. In fact, Speaker Paul Ryan spearheads a Republican task force designed to come up with real and beneficial solutions to the issues facing needy families. The vision statement reads, “Vision: Strengthen America’s social safety net to better help those in need; improve education and training so more can succeed in today’s economy; help welfare recipients enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce; and empower everyone to live their own American Dream” (Ryan). Obviously, Republicans know that there is a problem and are attempting to come up with workable solutions to solve them just as Democrats are. You see, while we may often disagree on the methods of trying to achieve common goals, we share the same goals, and any strides to do reach them are well warranted.

The United States has long billed itself as a country that accepts all people, regardless of religion, race or nationality. The Statue of Liberty stands as a beacon to the world that all people are welcome. While it is obvious that the United States has been a divided country for sometime now, perhaps it is not as divided as the citizens are led to believe. In a nation that constantly focuses on the differences between the Democrats and Republicans, it is sometimes easy to forget that we also share similarities as well. The love of country, the desire to assist other countries who need help, and the concern for those who do not have as much as others are all common themes which run through the backbone of both parties.

I know I got a little sidetracked there, but the long and the short message is, I miss you, and I think we can reconcile this friendship. I know it’s inevitable that we’ll have differences in opinion and get in some heated debates from time to time, but at the end of the day, we’re both human, we both call this country home, and we both just want the best for ourselves and our country. While we often think we disagree with each other, I think it’s important to zoom out and realize we really have the same concerns, and if we tried to work together more, we’d probably get a lot more done and with a lot less headache. I hope you’ll you re-friend me on Facebook, I really think we can make this work.

Sincerely,

Your long-lost FB friend, Milan Kordestani

Originally published on HuffPost here.

‍