I recently attended a seminar hosted by KSP (Kochi Startup Program).
The theme this time was:
“Learning the Basics of Entrepreneurship” — a perfect session for those exploring how to start a business.
The seminar was led by Associate Professor Emi Okada of the Faculty of Business Administration at the University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences, headquartered in Kobe. Professor Okada specializes in entrepreneurial education and SME management.
🧠 The Heart of Entrepreneurship Starts with Self-Reflection
The seminar covered essential topics such as types of businesses, how to gather initial capital, and funding methods. But more importantly, it emphasized self-assessment through group work:
- Why am I interested in starting a business?
- What values have shaped me throughout my life?
- What personal needs or discomforts drive my ambition?
- What skills, experiences, interests, and networks do I already have?
- How can I turn these elements into a business concept?
This process of self-inventory was the core of the session. It helped participants better understand themselves and articulate the foundations of their future business ideas.
💡 Turning Introspection into a Clear Business Concept
Although I had already gone through a self-assessment before attending, I was hoping to learn more about practical startup procedures. Still, I found this seminar incredibly beneficial—especially for those just beginning to explore entrepreneurship. It was a full house with 30 attendees, which made me realize just how many like-minded individuals are out there dreaming of launching their own business. Very inspiring!
One valuable exercise involved defining your business idea using this framework:
“I want to launch a business that provides [what] to [whom] for [what purpose or impact].”
Putting your concept into words like this helps clarify your target audience and guides your approach strategy.
📚 Recommended Reading from the Seminar
Two insightful books were introduced during the lecture, which I plan to dig into for further learning:
- Effectuation: Five Principles Successful Entrepreneurs Use by Mitsuri Yoshida & Ryuta Nakamura
- All Techniques for Thinking with AI by Rikiju Ishii & Shoji Kato
🗓 Next Session: October 26, 2025
The same KSP seminar is scheduled to take place again on October 26, 2025.
If you’re even slightly considering starting your own business, I highly recommend attending. It’s a great way to gain insight, structure your thoughts, and meet fellow aspiring entrepreneurs!
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