Seeing others' success can be extremely helpful for emerging entrepreneurs and hopeful dreamers.  Each of the featured start-ups in this contemporary series highlights the thought process and unique business model of a successful entrepreneur.  Together each unique entrepreneurial approach, when added to the rest, offers a top-down view of what it takes to create and succeed when starting a business.

High school and above. Each show is approximately 15 to 30 minutes long.

Program descriptions:

Create A Circle Of Products:  FiftyThree

Designing a circle of products can help to assure the long-term success of a business, especially when the products complement each other.  Satisfied customers for the first product will be the best customers for the next, so think in terms of multiple products to strategically grow a better business.

Start A Parallel Business: AirBnB

Here is the story, first hand from the founders of AirBnB who created a parallel business and became a world leader in travel rentals. With more than 10 million nights booked worldwide their unique approach offers interesting insight to anyone thinking of how to build a business.

Block Options To Failure: Brooklyn Brewery

Steve Hindy’s fellow journalists thought he had lost his mind when he left his job to start Brooklyn Brewery, now the ninth largest craft beer maker in the country.  As he tells it, in order to succeed he first had to block all the options available that would allow him to fail. 

Spot Trends: GustOrganics

The ability to recognize and spot trends early makes it easier for a new business to become a recognized leader in the industry.  But being first also means a greater percent of trial and error will likely occur.  It's important when considering any trend setting business to take into account all facets of the competitive market, especially if the goal is to build a business that is the very best of the best. 

Solve Problems By Necessity: Hickies

Now here are some real entrepreneurs.  Believing in the worth of their idea, an elastic shoe lacing system, but constantly faced with almost insurmountable obstacles, they still found a way.  These problem solving individuals persevered against all odds, knowing it was necessary if they were ever going to succeed.

Circumvent Tradition: Indiegogo

IndieGogo was created by founders who reasoned that the traditional approach to seeking capital was not meeting the needs of many who sought it.  By circumventing the established approach to raising funds they succeeded in creating a crowd-funding site where anyone could raise money for any reason at any time.