Pearls of Wisdom: LaunchX Instructors and Interns Share Their Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

At LaunchX, we are privileged to work with some of the brightest minds in entrepreneurship. Our team of instructors and interns not only excel in their own ventures but also serve as inspiring ambassadors for the program. We reached out to our community to gather their best advice for young entrepreneurs, the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur, and a little bit about their journeys. Here’s what they had to say:

Sarah Smith - Lead Instructor at LaunchX

Sarah is the founder of Barefoot Escapades, a travel company dedicated to providing unique and sustainable travel experiences. Follow her on Instagram @barefoot_escapades.

Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: "The best advice I can give to young entrepreneurs is to stay curious, fail forward. Failure is a learning opportunity to continuously adapt and grow in the ever-changing world of business."

Most Difficult Part of Being an Entrepreneur: "The most difficult part of entrepreneurship is often just getting started; overcoming the fear of the unknown, taking the first step, and committing to your vision requires courage and determination."

Angela Yuan - 2024 Marketing Intern

Angela is a rising senior in high school and the founder of Leap of Hope Inc., a nonprofit that raises money through the performing arts. She loves traveling, food, and meeting new people. Follow her on Instagram @angelacyuan.

Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: "I would tell younger entrepreneurs to leverage obstacles as building blocks for success."

Most Difficult Part of Being an Entrepreneur: "The most difficult part of being an entrepreneur is self-doubt and coping with failure."

Barbara Astler - Lead Instructor at LaunchX

Barbara is the owner of Chic Havens, a women-owned real estate investment and boutique interior design firm. Her passion for design has been at work since the age of 15 in the fashion industry. Chic Havens provides effortlessly elegant and modern but timeless designs. Creating value for her clients and seeing their delight fuels her drive and passion, and she has never had less than a 5-star review.

Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: "Believe in your vision, even when others don't see it yet. Embrace failures as stepping stones, learning and growing from each one, for resilience is the true mark of a successful entrepreneur."

Most Difficult Part of Being an Entrepreneur: "The most difficult part of being an entrepreneur depends on your own strengths and skill sets. Know what they are and what they aren't so you can surround yourself with people and skills that complement your own."

Hunar Miglani - 2024 Lead Intern at LaunchX

Hunar is a double major in political science and economics with a minor in statistics at the University of Toronto. She’s passionate about debate, entrepreneurship, crocheting, and reading. Follow her on Instagram @hunar_miglani.

Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs: "Communication is key. Always articulate your concerns instead of suppressing them to avoid reaching a point of strain that could break apart your entire team!"

Most Difficult Part of Being an Entrepreneur: "Delegation. When working on an idea that you’re deeply vested in, it’s hard to delegate responsibilities to other team members. It’s a lesson to learn to let go of the reins a little since multiple heads work much better than one!"

The entrepreneurship journey is filled with highs and lows, but the wisdom and experiences shared by our LaunchX team can provide invaluable guidance. Whether you are just starting or well on your way, remember that you are not alone. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and connect with the incredible LaunchX community for support and encouragement.

At LaunchX, we believe in the power of shared experiences and collective growth. We hope these insights from our instructors and interns inspire you to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey with confidence and determination.