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Most Important Skills For A Founder At WellSpace

Maria, Founder at WellSpace, prioritizes character qualities like "courage and perseverance" over specific skills for entrepreneurial success, believing that skills are readily acquired. The interviewee emphasizes the importance of strong communication and interpersonal abilities, describing entrepreneurship as "an amazing lasagna" where "the more skills, the better," highlighting a holistic and adaptable approach to career building.

Communication, Perseverance, Courage, Entrepreneurship, Problem-solving

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Maria Ko (Kiejnich)

Founder

WellSpace

UCLA Class of 2020

Harvard Graduate School of Education, Ed.M. in Learning Design, Innovation and Technology

Economics

Healthcare, Medical & Wellness, Technology

Entrepreneurship and Business Owner

International Student, First Generation College Student

Video Highlights

1. Great communication skills (both interpersonal and written) are essential for entrepreneurs.

2. Courage and perseverance are crucial qualities for overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.

3. Entrepreneurship is a multifaceted field, so possessing a wide range of skills is beneficial, but specific skills can be acquired along the way. The focus should be more on character qualities

Transcript

What skills are most important for a job like yours?

If courage was a skill, I would say that the ability to go for it despite the fear is key. When it comes to actual skills, great communication skills, whether interpersonal or written, go a long way as an entrepreneur. People don't talk about it enough; they always talk about leadership and management.

You have to be a good person that people like to work with. Respecting and communicating with others is a big part of it. So, I think communication has been a skill for me that I've found myself using the most on my entrepreneurial journey.

Perseverance is another one. But as you see, I'm listing more qualities rather than skills. Skills can be learned quickly as you go, trust me. Qualities are part of your character and take a long time to acquire.

I spent a significant amount of time engaging in activities and jobs that build the character I want to have in the future, rather than just skills. I'm still a very skillful and resourceful person either way. It's not like I neglected skill-building; I just prioritized qualities.

There's no skill that isn't good for entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is like an amazing lasagna; the more layers, the better. The more skills, the better. Someone who is an artist doesn't mean they can't be an entrepreneur, and neither does someone who is an engineer.

Sometimes the most business-minded people know their way out and can make a business even without the skills to actually build it. Then there are people who don't have any business skills but have passion and empathy for the problem they are trying to solve.

So, I would say courage and perseverance are the qualities most needed. For skills, the more the merrier, but you can learn them as you go. I wouldn't say someone shouldn't pursue entrepreneurship just because they lack one skill, or that they are made for it because they have one skill.

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