In 2001, Maria Pascucci graduated summa cum laude from college with two majors, a minor, two part time jobs and anxiety-induced health problems. In response to the pressures she felt as an ambitious young woman, she founded Campus CalmTM (www.campuscalm.com), a leadership development and empowerment service for young women. Today, she is an author, speaker and success coach for women who want to be in charge without sacrificing their health or self in the process.
Mammano: Is your leadership coaching exclusively for young women in formal leadership roles?
Pascucci: By “in charge” we don’t exclusively mean formal, elected leadership roles, but a more encompassing definition of we women in charge of our own lives, invested in our own self-growth and self-care, believing that we can lead by example to positively effect change in the world.
Mammano: Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made?
Pascucci: When I graduated from college, I never thought I’d run my own business. If you have passion for an idea and persistence, I’m proof that the rest can be taught.
Mammano: In your opinion, what are the top benefits of being an entrepreneur?
Pascucci: The greatest benefit of being an entrepreneur is that you can create a business that fits into your life, not a life that fits into your business. You can determine how much you want to work, when you work and how much money you want to earn.
Mammano: What are the negatives to running your own business?
Pascucci: The risk is that it’s all on you to make it happen! There is no manager or boss giving you daily instructions. There is no steady paycheck or even any guarantee of a paycheck. It’s risky, but it also empowers you to believe in yourself and trust that you can build a business model that sets you up for success.
Mammano: What are the traits that you see in successful entrepreneurs?
Pascucci: Successful, authentic entrepreneurs are passionate, positive and persistent. They plan for success and take baby steps to make it happen. They see their mistakes as learning opportunities, not failures. They value people over profits, even though they are all, in fact, profitable. They value collaboration over competition, and they serve, while not being afraid to receive in return.
Mammano: What can a high school student do to learn more about being an entrepreneur?
Pascucci: They should intern with an entrepreneur, either in their community or online. My interns teach me as much as I teach them. They can also start an entrepreneurship club at school and invite local entrepreneurs to come in and speak. Finally, I recommend reaching out to local colleges that have entrepreneurship programs; ask if you can shadow one of their students in class.
Mammano: What advice do you have for a teenager who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur?
Pascucci: I have learned as a young entrepreneur to command respect by giving respect to others, being confident and maintaining a positive attitude. Remember that your college major does not define your life’s journey — so relax! Do what you love, play to your strengths, invest in the educational and mentorship experiences that are right for you, and success will follow. …Oh, and a business plan doesn’t hurt either!
David C. Mammano is CEO and founder of NextStepU (www.NextStepU.com). Email him at [email protected]