How to Be a College Entrepreneur (Updated)

This update keeps the original advice - cultivate desire, drive, and discipline - while modernizing four business systems for students: resale, affiliate marketing, network marketing (with caution), and simple e-commerce options like print-on-demand. It closes with a practical 90-day plan to test and scale an idea.

Be a College Entrepreneur: Attitude and Systems

Many students start businesses to earn income, gain experience, and build skills while in college. The fundamentals remain the same: the right mindset plus simple, repeatable systems.

Part 1 - Attitude: Desire, Drive, Discipline

Desire: Know why you want to build a business. A clear purpose - paying tuition, gaining independence, or learning real-world skills - keeps you focused when things get hard.

Drive: Set short- and medium-term goals. Use calendars, habit apps, or simple to-do lists to protect time for your business without sacrificing studies. Prioritize sleep and basic fitness; they sustain creativity and stamina.

Discipline: Break projects into small, repeatable steps. Schedule weekly work blocks and revise them each semester. Use automation where possible (payment, email, social scheduling) so follow-through is easier.

Part 2 - Four business systems that work for students

1) Buy-and-sell (resale)

Source inventory locally (garage sales, thrift stores) or online. Resell on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Poshmark, Depop, or Etsy for vintage/handmade items. Focus on a niche, clear photos, honest descriptions, and reliable shipping or local pickup.

2) Affiliate marketing and content

Promote products you genuinely use through blog posts, social channels, or short-form video. Affiliate programs include Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, ShareASale and platform-specific programs. Disclose affiliate links, focus on building trust, and learn basic SEO and social promotion to attract low-cost traffic.

3) Network marketing (multi-level marketing)

Some students find income in network-marketing models, but outcomes vary. Research any company's products, compensation plan, and reputation. Follow FTC guidance on truthful endorsements and disclose your relationship when promoting products.

4) Small online store / micro-franchising

You can launch a simple e-commerce store using platforms like Shopify or Etsy, or use print-on-demand and dropshipping to lower upfront costs. "Private franchising" in this context means selling a curated product collection or exclusive local service under a consistent brand - be clear about margins, supply, and legal requirements if you use someone else's trademark.

A practical 90-day plan

Week 1-2: Choose one idea, test demand (surveys, small listings). Weeks 3-6: Build simple sales assets - listings, a basic landing page, or a social profile. Weeks 7-12: Drive low-cost promotion (organic social, campus word-of-mouth), track sales, and refine pricing. Iterate based on what converts.

Start small, learn fast, and prioritize paying customers. The skills you build - sales, marketing, customer service - matter more than early income.