Steve Pogorzelski, head of ClickFuel and former president of Monster.com, offered firsthand entrepreneurial advice to UW-Madison students Thursday.
In his presentation, ""Dream Big… Or Live at Home,"" Pogorzelski offered advice to students about starting up a small business.
An accounting-turned-journalism major from UW-Madison, Pogorzelski emphasized the necessity of pursuing your passion.
""Don't major in something that you don't love,"" Pogorzelski said. ""Don't stay in a job that you hate.""
Pogorzelski, who said he was an average student, said in the business world, the emphasis is more on a person's passion and dedication.
""Don't get fixated on your grade-point average,"" Pogorzelski said. ""That's crap.""
""It doesn't take a rocket science to start a small business,"" he continued, explaining that most entrepreneurs do not have a Ph.D. or business degree.
""The reality is that anyone who has drive and passion and commitment can start a small business,"" Pogorzelski said.
Senior Andres Perdomo came to hear Pogorzelski's story because he wants to start a business of his own.
Hailing from Colombia, Perodomo said hearing Pogorzelski's story reminded him of how great America's opportunities can be.
""I'm big on hearing success stories,"" Perdomo said. ""I like hearing them. I believe in them. In a sense, it helped prove to me that you can do it.""
Talking about the economy, Pogorzelski spoke plainly.
""You guys are screwed,"" he said. ""And there's nothing that's going to change in the next [few] years.""
But according to Pogorzelski, the good news is that in coming years, the baby boomer generation will retire, opening up positions in the workforce.
""It's not a question of if, it's a question of when,"" Pogorzelski said. ""They'll retire, and you're going to really inherit it.""
Although Pogorzelski admitted it is counterintuitive, he said now is not necessarily a bad time to start a business.
""There's less competition and lower expectations … and I'm not talking about the University of Minnesota,"" Pogorzelski joked.
Pogorzelski emphasized the importance of learning in the business world.
""You don't learn from your success,"" Pogorzelski said. ""You learn from your mistakes.""
