Learning how to become an entrepreneur does not happen in a day. Students in business courses typically spend months, even years researching their particular industry and developing ideas that could get their careers off to a successful start, and even potentially find investors to financially back their projects.
There are a number of resources entrepreneurial thinkers can use to expand their knowledge. While it may seem unusual, TV is actually a great place to start. According to a number of today's leading entrepreneurs, aspiring business leaders can learn a great deal from reality TV. Next time students are watching one of these shows, they can defend themselves by saying they are researching for their future business ideas. Here are some of the top programs that startup owners are watching to get ahead of the competition:
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Kris have virtually become household names because of the Kardashian family's successful branding tactics. With much credit to the matriarch, Kris, each family member contributes to the name in their own way, whether by launching a fragrance, making publicity appearances, opening up stylish boutiques across the country or simply by adding personality to the lively and comical reality show.
"This show is a perfect example of how a great personal [or] company brand can make you money, no matter what your product is," John Hall of Digital Talent Agents told the Young Entrepreneur Council. "Many people say that they don't know why the Kardashians are famous, but you have to respect the fact that they have built a strong personal brand behind the Kardashian name."
Restaurant Impossible
Learning from another person's mistakes is a great way for students to avoid making the same blunders in their own career paths. Although Restaurant Impossible deals strictly with the food industry, students from a variety of backgrounds can still learn how suddenly something can fall through and how to make the necessary adjustments to resolve in-house problems.
"Seeing these business owners make mistakes can either prepare you or teach you something about your own business," said Ashley Bodi, cofounder of Business Beware, a company that bridges the gap between companies and customers, as quoted by The Globe and Mail. "The show teaches you that things happen, but you have to keep going."
Students who are interested in improving their professional skills can enroll in business courses like those in the Business Administration Management program at Reeves College. For more information, fill out the form on the right.