Struggling Entrepreneur

 

 94- HYBRID ENTREPRENEUR coming from Academia- Mark A. Hernandez [43:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we interview Mark A. Hernandez– a 15-year veteran of the world of Academia within the University circles. He is a published author, but now is striving to become a self-made “Portfolio-Career Entrepreneur” who refers to himself as a “Hybrid Entrepreneur.”

This individual has 3 years in preparing for the launch of his small business. Although having already participated in the entrepreneurial world as a part-time consultant for several businesses within the area of research, demographics and forecasting of diversity-and-inclusion topics for organizations to help with the recruitment and retention of Latino populations within the workforce, Mark  now is targeting a very niche market and customer set.

As you will hear in this audio podcast, Mark is now validating his value proposition, while concurrently drawing up a written feasibility study within his launch plan (which is set within the next 4 months). The methods for his validation and confirmation are in-person meetings and interviews, as well as the use of social media online tools (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, etc.).Mark’s skill set includes that of primary and secondary research, which is required by enterprise organizations and small businesses to analyze the target markets and populations that they can serve, in order to be successful in creating and marketing products suited for the consumers.  The evidence is clear in his published book, Figural Conquistadors, which is available at www.amazon.com.

 As you will also note from this interview, Mark has an extensive background of experience with entrepreneurs–all the way from his own family members that have their own small businesses, to the networking circles and relationships that he is currently nurturing.

Thus, his recommendations for those in Academia who want to venture out into the world of owning their small business are strong from his own experiences: know thyself and see if you are ready for what awaits the entrepreneur:

- possible financial hardships;

- uncertainty of future success;

- unstructured and dynamic environments;

- no “job security” as in a tenured academic environment.

But the rewards of success are also the driving forces that will drive those in Academia to emulate the role models, such as Marshall Goldsmith, author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (as well as other books).

We will follow up with Mark A. Hernandez after his launch to see how he has crafted his value proposition and announced his entry into the world of entrepreneurs.

In the meantime, you may reach Mark in the following ways:

- email:   Mark.Hernandez2050 [at] gmail.com

- twitter handle:  mah2020

- also on LinkedIn.

Thanks to Mark for pointing out a resource to those in the Academic environment who want to explore postacademic careers and opportunities:

this is the book titled So What Are You Going to Do with That?: Finding Careers Outside Academia (available in paperback at Amazon.com).

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