Entrepreneurs encouraged to dream big

COLUMBUS -- The audience members Jeff Gokie was talking to were about the same age he was when he started his first business.

The Columbus man spoke to Scotus Central Catholic High School students for Entrepreneurship Week, Feb. 24-March 3.

Gokie was a high school junior when he opened his own underground sprinkler business. It was a job that he also had during college, and it earned him between $8,000-$9,000 each summer.

That was his first taste of being an entrepreneur, and it is a role he still has today as owner of Big Apple Bagels in Grand Island. Gokie told students they have the opportunities to get their own businesses off the ground in Columbus, whether they are interested in mowing lawns, baby-sitting, getting involved at an established business or branching out in another direction.

“You have a lot of options right now and will have a lot more in options in the future,” Gokie said, adding that there are several baby boomers who own their own businesses and are looking to sell.

Gokie was one of several business owners who gave presentations at area schools last week to promote entrepreneurship. Doris Lux, cooperative education director for business and management at Central Community College-Columbus, coordinated the activities. Most of the activities are focused on young people and creating awareness of entrepreneurship opportunities.

Entrepreneurs aren’t just business people, but they also can be inventors and creators, Gokie said. There are certain traits they have. One of the most important is being a problem-solver.

“That’s the neat thing about entrepreneurs, they think outside the box,” he said.

Gokie gave an example of a product an entrepreneur came up with that he has used at his job: Special shoes that have a built in spring on each heel which helps relieve stress on his feet from spending 10-12 hours a day standing.

“This guy (who created the shoes) became a millionaire because he looked at a problem and solved it,” he said.

But money isn’t everything and sometimes isn’t the main goal of entrepreneurs.

“It’s not just making money. Making money is secondary to many entrepreneurs. It is coming up with a solution, a product. The money will sometimes follow in line if you have the zeal for it,” Gokie said.