Editor’s note: Since September, Worcester Sun has chronicled the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Sun contributor Giselle Rivera-Flores as she explores ways to help her daughter and other Worcester families find affordable educational support and assistance. We used to describe her as an aspiring business owner; now, she’s an inspiring one, a full-fledged director of a Pleasant Street tutoring center set to open early 2016. This is the seventh installment of Giselle’s story. To start from the beginning, follow the links at the end of the post.
By definition, an entrepreneur is one who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business or enterprise. If you have spoken to an entrepreneur, though, you would know that the definition given by Webster’s dictionary is full of flaws.
Yes, entrepreneurs are individuals who start businesses. Yes, entrepreneurs are individuals who organize, manage and assume all risk in a business.
But what Webster fails to mention is that entrepreneurs are also individuals who see the world through a different lens. They portray the world as it should be, constantly seeking ways to improve or fill the necessary gaps to create a better product, socio-economic benefit and an overall sense of autonomy and self-pride.
They strive time and time again to gain just a touch of progress.
Giselle Rivera-Flores / For Worcester Sun
The keys to success, indeed — The Learning Hub is coming soon to Pleasant Street.
As Steve Jobs famously told the Stanford graduating class of 2005, “Work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Entrepreneurs do just that. They do great work for something they love to do.
If at the beginning of 2015, you would have asked me if I was going to start my own business by the end of the year, I would have laughed.
The thought of opening and managing my own business was always a thought held in the back of my mind. I knew, for a long time, that I wanted to take the leap of faith into the pool of uncertainty with entrepreneurship.
But I kept waiting for the right time – a sign.
Over the past few months, I have learned there is no such thing as the “right time” when starting a business. The best time to start a business is always a few seconds after the initial thought.
This week solidified my passions and became the first week I started to label myself an entrepreneur.
On Wednesday morning, Dec. 2, I started the day as any other – running around at lightning speed to make sure my daughters were at school on time.
Midway through the day, I received a text from Wendy, owner of 253 Pleasant St., that read: “Your keys are ready. You can come by anytime.”
The text, less than 10 words, left me speechless.
“Today is the day,” I thought. “ It is finally all coming together. “
For the past three months, I have spent countless hours writing my business plan, reaching out to community leaders, searching for an affordable commercial space, attempting to raise money through a crowdfunding page and spreading the word about The Learning Hub to every parent I have met. Although, each element was part of a bigger goal, the realization didn’t happen until I had the keys to our new space in hand.
Around 2:15 p.m., I headed over to Brooklyn’s school for class dismissal.
I could barely contain myself. I was overwhelmed with enthusiasm and couldn’t wait a minute longer to see my inspiration walk out of school.
As soon as Brooklyn and I hugged, I whispered, “I have a huge surprise for you.”
She smiled, held my hand tighter and raced to the car with me in excitement.
After we arrived at the new home for The Learning Hub, Brooklyn gripped my hand tighter than before. We opened the door, and there it was – home. Even though I visited the space several times before for measurements, photos and furniture drop off, it seemed different this time. It seemed new to me, as if I was looking at the space for the first time.
“Today’s the day! Today’s the day,” Brooklyn shouted. “Can we grab some lunch and celebrate?”
Giselle Rivera-Flores / For Worcester Sun
Brooklyn has a celebratory lunch with mom after getting the keys to The Learning Hub.
We grabbed lunch and headed back to the new office.
While eating, we started to brainstorm ideas for our creative Saturday classes. Before we knew it, we were done scheduling events for the month of January.
The focus from our first lunch date at the office sparked a long list of ideas and teaching concepts. I was thrilled to watch Brooklyn express her ideas and pitch me her thoughts on how to furnish the rest of the office, and how we should set up the free library at The Hub.
Not only has Brooklyn been my inspiration for this journey, she may have found some inspiration for her own interests along the way.
For many, the path of entrepreneurship is obscure and layered with complexities. The mere thoughts of instability and unknown pay dates, scare them off in bundles, but for me, the thought of filling my daughter with inspiration and passion for her interests outweighs any potential risk The Learning Hub can create.
Follow A Mother’s Journey, the Sun’s first serial, every step of the way: