Start-ups

In recent years, start-up, has become a nasty word among business people; however, even huge conglomerates such as Westinghouse, AT&T, and Pepsi were all once start-ups. The difference today is that the Internet broke down the barriers that entrepreneurs once had to face, and today, though some start-ups still survive, the Wall Street battlefield is littered with hundreds of former E-entities. The trends changed quickly, and the market forced start-ups to streamline the way they do business, but those that survived are now operating under leaner and meaner conditions but still have the entrepreneurial spirit of their founders. Many are now realizing that drive without education and real skills will end their business as quickly as it started.

Success in this industry takes lots of energy, flexibility, intelligence, creativity, and a bit of the Pollyanna in all of us, meaning that sometimes you just need to look at the bright side. You may not get everything you wanted, but you're willing to invest in the company and the people around you as long as you get your share of the cake in the end. In this ever-changing business environment, start-ups and the economy are still learning the rules that govern and define them, you are an explorer of sorts, and you can be one of the many that will shape the future.

Life in the Start-up Industry:
Start-ups need qualified people, especially MBAs and anyone with real world experience, in the areas of marketing, business development, finance, sales, and management to help manage and create a corporate vision and direction to be a partner for success, though not in the literal title or pay. In general, you will work with a variety of individuals depending on your firm, but one thing that the people will have in common is the creativity and desire to make your working environment genuinely enjoyable. However, no one can forget that you work in an extremely intense industry, where 80% of all companies fail in their first two years. Though this number is grim, you are a pressure player with the ability to focus on your tasks at hand while keeping in mind your long term goals and objectives.

Your abilities and skills will make you a major asset to the firm, and your contributions will not go unnoticed. Though at start-ups your salary can be on the lower end of the pay spectrum for MBAs, generally $60,000 to $100,000, plus options, your ability to advance in a short amount of time can be phenomenal, and your pay will increase with your increasing responsibilities and title.