entrepreneurship

Posts Tagged ‘entrepreneurship’

Gun store’s popularity creates a need for a bigger location

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

Gun store’s popularity creates a need for a bigger location

When you look at a gun, do you see more than a simple firearm? If you view each and every one of these weapons as a work of art, you may have what it takes to become a gunsmith. Of course, if you decide to pursue this career path, you’re going to want to look into taking gunsmithing courses through technical training schools.

Once you finish your gunsmithing education, you may decide to embrace your inner entrepreneur and open up your own shop, just as Wisconsin resident Frederick Prehn did this past August. According to the Wausau Daily Herald, business at Prehn’s gun store, Central Wisconsin Firearms, is booming. In fact, it’s doing so well, the business owner is looking to move into a larger space.

When the store first opened, there was one employee and fewer than 50 customers. Today, seven workers are ready to assist the hundreds of customers who flock to the business.

Central Wisconsin Firearms’ website says that gunsmithing is among the services the business’ staff provides. Furthermore, the store can track down whatever custom firearms and accessories customers need.

At a new location, Prehn would be able to expand the gunsmithing services he currently provides and, as a result, please Central Wisconsin Firearms’ growing list of clients.

“This is way bigger than I thought it would be,” Prehn told the news source. “We’ve started to do a lot of internet sales for a lot of clothing and [rifle scopes].”

All Prehn needs in order to take his store to the next level is approval from the Wausau Plan Commission, which is necessary for those who wish to service and repair guns in the city.

Can you see yourself enrolling in gunsmithing schools and opening a store like Prehn? Let us know in the comment space below.

Tags: Career Resources, entrepreneurship, gunsmithing courses, gunsmithing schools
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Opportunities abound for massage therapists

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

Opportunities abound for massage therapists

You might have heard about the wealth of job opportunities for skilled workers like electricians and welders finishing up programs at technical training schools. However, for aspiring massage therapists, the future may be just as bright.

Entrepreneurship in action

Although new business ventures in massage therapy don’t tend to make the news the way startups do in the technology sector, increasing numbers of people are making a difference in people’s lives through massage. According to the Winona Daily News, Jeanne Handke is one such aspiring business owner.

Handke recently graduated from Southeast Technical College in Winona, Minnesota, and was almost 50 years old when she signed up for the massage therapy program at the school. Now, she’s already working on plans to open her own business.

“I had this underlying drive to get out and help people,” Handke told the news source. “I wanted to put my passion to use. I juggled appointments and classes, but I wanted to learn everything I could learn.”

Handke is a great example of how technical schools can help you launch a bright new career, no matter what your age or situation. Sure, it’s tough to balance work, family commitments and school, but calling the shots and starting a business could be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make.

A vibrant industry

Of course, striking out on your own isn’t for everyone. It takes a lot of guts and even more hard work to get a business off the ground, especially in today’s uncertain economy. However, that doesn’t mean that massage therapy training at technical schools isn’t a good bet. In fact, according to the National Massage Therapy Institute (MNTI), nothing could be further from the truth.

Scott Deidun, national director of career services and certification for NMTI, said that often, he struggles to fill all the vacancies for massage therapists on his books due to a lack of people. He added that more jobs are available in massage therapy than ever before.

“One of my primary responsibilities is to provide quality licensed massage therapists to NMTI’s vast employer network,” said Deidun. “However, I face a unique problem in accomplishing this goal, because I continue to have more job openings than therapists to fill these roles. We have strong graduation rates, and our graduates are getting hired en masse – yet we still strive to accommodate the needs of area employers.”

More than skin deep

Say “massage therapy” to some people, and they’ll think of luxurious beauty parlors and indulgent spa treatments. While this may be a part of the industry, massage therapists also frequently work in clinical environments, providing a range of services to people suffering injuries sustained in car accidents, for example.

Massage therapy is recognized as a viable medical technique to alleviate pain and restore mobility. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, a career as a massage therapist is a great place to start.

What is it about massage therapy that appeals to you? Tell us in the comment space below.

Tags: entrepreneurship, massage therapy schools, Technical Schools in the News
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Photography schools can help you become your own boss

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Photography schools can help you become your own boss

Nothing beats the satisfaction of running your own business and calling the shots. If you’re the kind of person with an independent spirit and a creative eye, you might want to consider enrolling in photography schools.

Rochelle Green is one person who took the plunge and decided to pursue a career in photography, according to The Little Dodger, the high school publication of Fort Dodge High School in Iowa. Green, owner and proprietor of GreenDoor Photography, specializes in portraits of high school seniors, sports teams and weddings.

Green told the news source that she didn't always have her heart set on a career in photography. She enrolled in a community college to figure out what she wanted to do, and tried music before settling on photography while working on a yearbook project.

She added that dedication and commitment are two qualities that aspiring shutterbugs need to succeed.

"It’s an awful lot of work," said Green, as quoted by the news source. "Do it because you truly care about creating photos that people will love forever. I will go out of my way for them. I trench through mud and get bit by tons of mosquitoes but I do it because I know it will get an awesome picture."

People from all kinds of backgrounds discover their love of taking pictures later in life. According to the Salem News, Kristen Griffin didn't figure out she wanted to be a photographer until after she enrolled in a biology degree. After switching majors, Griffin graduated from her photography course and now runs her own business.

"I remember being in the darkroom in high school," Griffin told the newspaper. "I found it was a great way to be able to express yourself through photos."

Enrolling in a photography school is a great way to learn the skills you'll need to launch your own business. Weddings, yearbook pictures and Little League teams are always in need of photographers with an eye for a great shot. Many technical schools offer night classes in photography, which could be ideal if you've got kids and existing work commitments.

As well as teaching you creative and technical skills, photography school can be an ideal place to network with other people interested in the field, and maybe even provide you with your first break in the business.

Both Green and Griffin got their start either during or shortly after their studies, so these two business owners are a great example of how you can become your own boss and do something you truly love.

Do you like the idea of being your own boss? Did you ever take photography classes in high school? Let us know what you think in the comment space below.