The Best Job in the World

When people, especially people of my parent’s generation, ask me what I want to do when I graduate I often find myself at a loss for words. Not because I don’t know what I want to do, but because I want to do everything. In generations past you graduated from college with a degree and a career path in mind that revolved around one job. However, I along with many of my fellow young professionals find this perspective rather claustrophobic. Consequently, the desire for professional freedom and infinite job potential has provoked the birth of a new breed of entrepreneurs.

Fortunately for me, Dallas can be recognized as ground zero for the birth of this breed of over zealous, money hungry, well connected young professionals. For the modern entrepreneur, a college degree only takes up wall space that could otherwise be filled with pictures of them shaking hands with the President, because we all know it’s not what you know, but who you know. Now, I know you have heard this cliché beaten into the ground so I will give you some insight into the new motto of the new entrepreneur; it’s not the grades you make, but the hands you shake. College is your chance to establish connections with the people that share this familiar dream of a multi-field monopoly. It is all about networking. The new entrepreneur recognizes the reality that there is too much money to be made in the world to limit your potential income to one stereotypical career. No one gets rich off a salary anymore. Rather, it is most beneficial to have your hand in every aspect of society/economy; real-estate (commercial & private), hospitality (restaurant/bar), fashion, entertainment, advertising etc…

The essence of our modern culture is depicted by our desire to spend money, whether we have it or not. The essence of the modern entrepreneur is the recognition of that desire and the ability to foresee and capitalize on the future trends in which society is going to dump their paycheck. In other words, they know where you’re going to spend your money before you do. The irony of this cycle is the way in which many of these new entrepreneurs spend their fortunes is just as predictable. Never before has society seen a trend such as the one perpetuated by the new entrepreneur. Never before has society seen such an abundance of twenty-something young professionals driving $100,000 exotics, wearing $10,000 watches, living in million-dollar lofts, and exuding a priceless sense of entitlement. This trend of self-indulgence is justified by the misconception that if you want people to do business with you, they have to think you don’t need their business. How are people supposed to know how much money you have unless you show them right? It is this perspective that will ultimately separate the momentary millionaire from the established wealth. The established entrepreneur reinvests his profits rather than giving them right back and at the end of the day is the one writing the checks, not just cashing them. For a better insight into the lives of such a unique breed of deal makers, try driving by Primo’s patio on a Tuesday night or read this hilarious, but all too true account of one of Dallas’ biggest deal makers, Cash McMogulson. http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=42054623&MyToken=ba768b88-7d15-4444-a976-0e543fd5cbe5ML

Despite the questionable priorities of these money makers, their impact on our society, culture, and economy is undeniable. SMU even offers a new degree in entrepreneurship, which I find ironic considering they are asking for your money in exchange for a curriculum that is intended to teach you unique ways and strategies in which to make money. I can’t help but think an experienced entrepreneur would laugh at the concept and suggest taking that same money you would spend on tuition and investing it in a lucrative project rather than class time?? Some might even say you can’t learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the classroom, but rather it is a passion and perspective that is inherent in your personality and priorities. Anything you need to learn, you can learn only by doing. That way when all of your friends finish school two years later, you will be two years richer. Either way, I’m probably just bitter because I am about to graduate and can’t pursue the one program that I feel might have actually been applicable in the real world.

That is the other bone I have to pick with my “education.” While I consider myself extremely fortunate for the opportunity to attend SMU, and acknowledge that the contacts I have made here will ultimately be extremely lucrative, I can’t help but ponder what if I had taken the $1Million + I have spent over the past 4 years and invested it 4 years ago. Thinking as any entrepreneur would, I can’t help but feel as if I am starting in the red following my overpriced and overrated education.

This overwhelming sense of urgency to take advantage of the marketplace is the direct result of the fact I have been fortunate enough to witness firsthand the path and potential of being your own boss. Smart enough to acknowledge that their powers combined are far more beneficial than attempting to tackle the economy alone, my 26 year-old brother, Newton Hopkins, and his entourage of entrepreneurs (all SMU graduates) have taken Dallas by storm. While each is equipped with their own area of expertise, commercial real-estate seems to be their collaborative drug of choice. Any project in the DFW hub is under the watch of my brother’s wingman Corey Duhon. In his sixth year with the Shafer Property Company (http://www.shaferproperty.com/home.html), Corey is involved in every aspect of their growing portfolio of properties. Most recently Corey was responsible for closing out leasing activity at the just completed Uptown Plaza Shopping Center project located at the McKinney Avenue gateway to downtown Dallas. Corey holds a B.B.A. in Real Estate Finance from Southern Methodist University, is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and also belongs to the SMU Real Estate Society.

Possibly the most recognizable member of my brothers entrepreneurial dream team is Dallas local Court Westcott. Westcott is a 2004 graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Masters in Business Administration and a 2001 graduate of Vanderbilt University with Bachelors in Political Science and Philosophy. Westcott also received his Six Sigma Black Belt in 2005 from Villanova University and is a licensed realtor. Westcott has since utilized his connections to contribute to the .com bang by introducing greentiepoker.com. (http://www.greentiepoker.com/) His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to spearhead Digital Witness, a video surveillance company. http://www.digitalwitness.net/bios.php

Ultimately, my brother and his entrepreneurial alliances understand both the power and fickle nature of the marketplace. They abide by a sort of unspoken code which directs their actions as they understand they are in business not only for themselves, but for each other. If one has a potential investment, rather than outsourcing for interested investors, he seeks the support of his fellow entrepreneurs. Consequently, my brother and his partners have established a sort of entrepreneurial monopoly over Dallas. If you have an idea, you go to them. If they can’t help you, they know who can.

Entrepreneurs are the future of our economy. Entrepreneurship is nondenominational and unbiased. It puts success and wealth in the hands of anyone with a goal and the means to pursue it. There is no affirmative action or glass ceiling, only good and bad ideas. Just look how entrepreneurs such as local favorite Mark Cuban, Vegas pioneers the Maloof Brothers, Virgin CEO Richard Branson, and entertainment entrepreneurs such as Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z have taken advantage of the infinite potential of the marketplace. They continue to prove you can start in music, the internet, or fashion and end up owning an NBA franchise. As an entrepreneur, where you start, where you finish, and how you do it is entirely up to you. It’s the best job in the world…

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?