“I’ve found the Fountain of Power for entrepreneurs: It’s GSEA!”

– Roxana Shershin, US East Regional GSEA Professional

Have to reignite your entrepreneurial spark? Dive into the colourful world of EO’s International Scholar Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) and reconnect with the magic of being an entrepreneur. GSEA is the premier world competitors for college students who personal and function a enterprise. Nominees compete in opposition to friends from all over the world in a sequence of native and nationwide competitions in hopes of qualifying for the GSEA International Finals.

Are you an EO member all in favour of teaching your regional workforce of scholar entrepreneurs as a part of Season 3 of Begin it Up? Apply at this time.

We requested Roxana Shershin, an EO Atlanta member who has served because the US East regional GSEA Professional for 2 years, to share what she gained from the function:

Some of the rewarding elements of my EO journey has been my involvement with the International Scholar Entrepreneur Awards program, referred to as GSEA. I say rewarding, not simply because I see this program as our manner of serving to to information and usher within the subsequent era of entrepreneurs, however actually rewarding as a result of I’ve discovered that I’ve gained a lot extra from the expertise than I ever thought attainable.

Listed here are seven shocking insights I’ve gained from interacting with these inspiring people:

1. It’s about ardour

As somebody who has been on her business-building journey for 12 years and dealing for a lot of extra years than I care to confess, I typically discover myself laser-focused on revenue, scalability and easily managing a rising workforce of over 50 folks. Nevertheless, once I’m round EO GSEA opponents, I’m reminded that I began this from some extent of ardour. Embracing this passion-driven strategy reignites a hearth in me each time, and I believe I’m a greater chief for it.

2. Be fearless within the face of failure

It sounds just like the title of a guide, however I’m typically in awe once I see how so many of those school college students dive headfirst into their ventures, unafraid of the potential of failure and resilient in bouncing again. And, sure, some might say they don’t have as far to fall, however I’ve discovered it to be an excellent reminder that failure actually is a part of the journey. Generally issues work, typically they don’t — however you received’t know except you strive it.

3. Unconventional problem-solving

Some of the shocking insights I’ve gained over time is the creativity and innovation displayed by school scholar entrepreneurs in fixing issues. Whether or not it’s a scholar creating an answer that I by no means even dreamed about for concussion detection, or a scholar tackling a conventional promotion enterprise with a totally new strategy leveraging AI, I stroll away reinvigorated to assault issues with a recent perspective.  

4. Everlasting optimism

I’ll admit I’m a glass-half-full individual out of the gate, however I acknowledge that the years have additionally created some quantity of been-there-done-that cynicism. Regardless of the numerous challenges and uncertainties they face, these college students strategy every day with an angle of hope and chance. GSEA has not solely jogged my memory that there’s at all times a purpose to imagine in a brighter future, but in addition it has made me actually optimistic about the way forward for our world as an entire.

5. Fountain of power

I’ve discovered the Fountain of Power, and it’s GSEA. Critically! Each time I stroll away from assembly a GSEA scholar or go away a GSEA occasion, my power tank is totally refilled. The power and focus these studentrepreneurs have for constructing, fixing, innovating, and driving is really infectious. 

6. Daring ambition

Regardless of their restricted expertise and sources (each in money and time), school scholar entrepreneurs possess a daring ambition that is aware of no bounds. They dream large, aiming to disrupt the established order and alter the world. This audacious spirit possessed by each one among our studentrepreneurs is the true embodiment of our personal EO core worth, Assume Huge and Be Daring. 

7. Embrace know-how

Whereas not utterly shocking, I’m reminded that know-how and entrepreneurship are closely intertwined. At this time’s quickly evolving digital panorama requires us to be nimble and open to the chance that what labored earlier than might not work (not less than not as nicely) sooner or later. Embracing the studentrepreneur’s tech-open mindset will help unlock new alternatives for progress and effectivity. 

I can truthfully say that I’m excited in regards to the future, as I do know I’ve met future CEOs, profitable entrepreneurs, and world leaders by the GSEA program. Their fearless strategy to failure, unconventional problem-solving, passion-driven mindset, boundless power, and relentless optimism have reshaped my perspective on entrepreneurship. I’m so grateful for the whole lot that GSEA has given me as a mother, entrepreneur, mentor and chief.  

Don’t miss the possibility to teach your regional workforce of scholar entrepreneurs as a part of Season 3 of Begin it Up: Apply at this time. EO members who need to take part in GSEA have a number of choices: You’ll be able to volunteer as a GSEA decide or coach, function a regional GSEA Professional, and even begin a GSEA competitors in your chapter.

Contributed to EO by Roxana Shershin, an EO Atlanta member who’s president of Digital Additive, a advertising company targeted on delivering customized one-to-one digital experiences for main manufacturers. Roxana has served EO because the US East Regional GSEA Professional since 2022. Don’t miss the 2024 season of Begin It Up, a miniseries that follows the GSEA world finalists as they compete to win their share of the US$100,000 prize. Season 3 of Begin It Up will air in June and July 2024 on YouTube and Waterbear.

For extra insights and inspiration from at this time’s main entrepreneurs, try EO on Inc. and extra articles from the EO weblog.