Zero Equals One: Creating A Business From Nothing | Riley Csernica | TEDxCharleston

Summary

The video script narrates the inspiring journey of an aspiring bi-medical engineer, Riley, who, despite facing the reality of unemployment post-graduation, decides to take a bold step. After a disappointing job interview, she realizes the importance of pursuing a career she loves. With her classmate Chelsea, they decide to develop a shoulder brace they had started as a class project, turning their focus from job hunting to entrepreneurship. Facing numerous challenges, including lack of experience and resources, they persist, driven by their innovative idea and the support from their network. Their persistence pays off when their brace proves effective for a professional hockey player, validating their invention. The story emphasizes the power of a single good idea and the importance of support from others in turning that idea into a successful business.

Takeaways

• 💄 The protagonist chose to wear lipstick for a job interview, symbolizing stepping out of their comfort zone for a desired opportunity.
• 🎓 They were close to graduating college with a degree in biomedical engineering but faced the reality of potential unemployment.
• 🔍 The job interview revealed a mismatch between the protagonist's aspirations and the actual job requirements, emphasizing the importance of aligning career choices with personal interests.
• 🚫 A direct 'no' from an interviewer provided a pivotal moment of self-reflection and clarity about the protagonist's career path.
• 💡 The idea of becoming an inventor was a long-held dream, but practical job opportunities were scarce, leading to a shift in approach.
• 🤝 A collaborative effort with classmates to develop a shoulder brace marked the beginning of a new entrepreneurial journey.
• 🏡 The protagonist's mother provided critical support and a safe space to start the business, highlighting the role of a support system in pursuing dreams.
• 🚀 Despite having no experience, mentors, network, or money, the decision to pursue the shoulder brace project was driven by passion and a single good idea.
• 📚 The process involved learning from various sources, including hospitals and pharmacies, to gain expertise in the field.
• 🎨 The initial product development phase was filled with trial and error, likened to an 'Arts and Crafts Corner' by onlookers.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The first successful test of the shoulder brace on a professional hockey player marked a significant milestone, validating the invention and the entrepreneurial endeavor.
• 🤔 The story underscores the importance of a single good idea and support from others as key ingredients for success, rather than focusing on what one lacks.

Q & A

Why did the speaker decide to wear lipstick on March 15th, 2012?

The speaker decided to wear lipstick on March 15th, 2012, because they were going to a job interview and felt that dressing up, even in a way that was not their usual style, was necessary to make a good impression and increase their chances of landing the job.

What was the speaker's educational background?

The speaker had a degree in biomedical engineering, which they were about to complete two months prior to the interview mentioned in the script.

What was the main reason the speaker did not get the job they interviewed for?

The speaker did not get the job because the position was for a quality control engineer, which involved routine and repetitive tasks that did not align with the speaker's passion and skills for innovation and product development.

What was the turning point for the speaker in terms of their career direction?

The turning point was the realization that they needed to pursue a career they loved, which led them to go back to school and eventually team up with classmates to develop a shoulder brace, thus becoming medical brace entrepreneurs.

What was the speaker's mother's response when the speaker proposed the idea of starting their own business?

The speaker's mother was supportive, stating that the speaker had nothing to lose and everything to gain from the experience, as long as they worked hard.

How did the speaker and their partner, Chelsea, initially approach building their business?

They started by talking to anyone who would listen, visiting hospitals, pharmacies, and physical therapy offices to gather information and make valuable contacts, which helped them become experts in their field.

What was the first significant milestone for the speaker's company?

The first significant milestone was when their shoulder brace worked for a professional hockey player, validating their invention and marking the transition from students to businesswomen.

What was the initial perception of the speaker and Chelsea by people in their office?

People in their office initially thought they were engaged in a preschool art project, referring to their cubicle as the 'Arts and Crafts Corner,' not taking their work seriously.

What was the key takeaway from the speaker's journey that they want to convey to others?

The key takeaway is that having a good idea is enough to start a business, and that support from others is crucial. The speaker encourages others not to let fear hold them back and to pursue their dreams despite the challenges.

What role did the interviewer's rejection play in the speaker's life?

The rejection from the interviewer actually provided the speaker with a new outlook on life and the understanding that choosing a career they loved was important, which ultimately led them to pursue their own entrepreneurial path.

What was the speaker's strategy for overcoming the lack of experience, mentors, and resources when starting their business?

The speaker's strategy was to talk to as many people as possible, gather information, and make contacts in the industry. They also utilized free office space and worked tirelessly to develop their product, eventually gaining recognition and validation for their invention.

How did the speaker's mother's advice influence the decision to start the business?

The speaker's mother's advice was pivotal, as she encouraged the speaker to take the risk and pursue the entrepreneurial path, emphasizing the lack of commitments and the potential for gain, which gave the speaker the confidence to move forward with the business idea.