Entrepreneurial Education: The Why

By Audrey Malynowski, Class of 2026

"Stop looking for a course of action and instead become obsessed with understanding the cause of action."

Simon Sinek

This year I have had the privilege of being part of the new Entrepreneurial Education class. An important concept we’ve addressed in class is the concept of “Why.” When trying to market, it is important to show people “Why” you are marketing a product; “Why” is this product better? For example, why do people buy Apple products? I myself own an Apple phone and watch. They are not only marketing technology that performs well, but they are marketing an idea. They have a mission, which is to be innovative, and they use it in their marketing. While their technology may not have the best quality, have the best features, or even the lowest cost, Apple products are still highly popular worldwide because of their marketing message. 

When we are thinking about launching an idea, we are thinking about why we chose it and why it deserves to be put out into the public. I have been trying to formulate a business: I crochet stuffed animals and am trying to sell them. As I have been starting this venture, I have been thinking about why I want to sell crocheted animals. I was simply going to start an Etsy shop and sell them there. However, as I have been thinking about my “Why,” I discovered that my desired market is large and I need something to set me apart. I want to share the love of crochet with people. I want people to love crochet and desire to learn more about it.  My desire to share the love of crochet drives me to keep creating and finding more ways to make my crochet accessible. 

This focus on discovering and leveraging our “Why” is just one of the many invaluable techniques we’re learning in Entrepreneurial Education.