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Alumna entrepreneur  returned to campus in the waning days of the fall semester to deliver what she billed as �the talk I wish I heard� while still in school � �Five Tips for Starting a Creative Business after College.�

A successful wedding, family, and travel photographer based in Santa Barbara, Mrs. Ellefson discussed how students can begin preparing now � even amidst their studies � to launch their own businesses post-graduation. Her tips included finding a mentor, learning about the market, developing a brand, and pursuing summer internships. Moreover, many of the skills required to become a successful business owner, she observed, can be developed as a student. �If you can set up good habits and discipline now,� she advised, �when you start your own business and you have a huge task list of things to run down, you�re going to know how to manage your time.�

Although encouraging, Mrs. Ellefson�s comments were also prudent, warning students that creating a business demands hard work, a significant investment of time and resources, and � more often than not � a day job to cover the bills until the business is self-sufficient. �I think if you�re a student here, you�re not used to things being easy, so I don�t expect you to be intimidated by this,� she said. �I want you to get excited about it and know that the hard work and diligence you�re putting in here can also transfer into starting your own business.�

A liberal education, she added, is especially valuable for entrepreneurs. �You are learning the art of critical thinking,� said Mrs. Ellefson. �That�s something that a lot of people who start a business don�t have, and then they fail and they can�t figure out why, because they were never taught how to think critically and analyze thoughts and ideas. So this time here, your education here, is very worthwhile.�