BUS 132 Introduction to Entrepreneurship

3 Credits

In the past, as with great leaders, Autry (2022) tells us, “…it was assumed that great entrepreneurs were born, that the entrepreneurial process itself was intuitive, mysterious…unknowable” (p.11). We know today that this is not the case. The entrepreneurial mindset can be acquired.  In this introductory class to the Entrepreneurship minor, we explore entrepreneurship from all directions. We discuss and delve into the creative process and begin to understand how unleashing our creativity can lead to innovation and invention.  We also explore the more tactical aspects of entrepreneurship: building effective networks, resource planning, & business plan development.  Also covered in this introductory course is the concept of principled entrepreneurship, defined by Widmer (2020) as maximizing, “the long-term profitability of business by creating superior value for customers while consuming fewer resources and always acting lawfully and with integrity.” (p.xi).

This class explores the art and the science of the entrepreneurial mindset. How do entrepreneurs think and act? How do they detect patterns? How do they recover from mistakes? How do they learn to challenge the accepted wisdom and ask the provocative questions to find new ways to solve problems, to champion innovation, to develop new products?

Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs (entrepreneurs who work inside organizations) are needed now more than ever. The world of work in the 21st Century will be a very different place than before. The rules of work are being rewritten as we speak and those with an entrepreneurial mindset will be able to navigate this changing landscape with confidence and enthusiasm.