by Helah Payne

Since I was a youngin, I always knew I would start my own business and before I even became a McCombs Student (School of Business at UT Austin), I picked up quite early on that there has to be a “need” for the product or service you are selling

(Now RTF, Science, Engineering majors... Stay with me now. This has something for you too. I promise!)

For my first year with Dr. Walker, I spent a month in Cape Town, South Africa. The trip was absolutely amazing and life changing (as you will see here soon). Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we spent time at the University taking a class. Every Tuesday and Thursday we all split into our respective groups for our internships. Along with that, we were taken on specific trips but a lot of that was spent with free time.

Now I have a friend who knows exactly how to end up the craziest, wildest adventures with stories you’ll want to tell your kids someday (or maybe not.) Somehow, a few of us found ourselves sitting VIP at a local festival which was sponsored by a large brand and contributed to helping the youth of the community. There was a concert by local and emerging artists, a band, emerging streetwear brands, local businesses, and more. We had an absolute blast.

“This encounter… led us to creating the business we have today, Next1 Mgmt. In which we look to help small businesses grow and make an impact on their community. ”

But while we were there, we realized that this environment was missing back home. The sense of community, hosting an event for good causes, while still enjoying the atmosphere and energy of the event. This encounter, along with our internships, which were to help local business owners in their townships with whatever _______, led us to creating the business we have today, Next1 Mgmt. In which we look to help small businesses grow and make an impact on their community. Through all of this, there were 3 lessons I learned that got us to where we are now. Follow me: I combined my passion for the building the community around me, my skill set of business and project management with what I saw first hand in Cape Town.

Lesson 1

If you have something you’re interested in or passionate about, use your free time to not only have fun, but explore.
See how the country you’re visiting is making strides with the same thing you’re interested in. And if they have not even made that discovery or set their sights on it, think about how you could help. (YES. YOU!) That’s the power of diverse thought and why expanding your mind to understand other cultures and povs is so important.
So remember that friend I talked about? That always knows how to get us into a crazy situation. Well he got us into another one. He convinced me to make him my business partner! Like hello?
As if the wild things you got me into in another country wasn’t enough?!

Okay, I'm kidding. It was very much mutual and I am so grateful I did. My partner and I knew we had similar mindsets when it came to building the community, each wanting to start a business, and not to mention, the eagerness to see a world outside of our own (hence, why we were both thousands of miles away from home for a month). But it was this trip that solidified it and what was because we used this opportunity to get to know each other and understand more of what we both believed in.

Lesson 2:

Now although you won’t have a month with your cohort, you should use this trip to get to know some new people. Part of taking this trip with other World Walkers is to expand your network, meet people you normally would not have. You already have something in common. You’re all willing to step out of your comfort zone to try something new.
Now don’t get me wrong. Starting a business at a young age is a scary thought. Because you’re always told not to sway from the norm. “You need more experience” “You’re too young to know what you’re doing.” We’ve hear it all before. It takes courage to break away from what you’ve been taught. And that was something Iearned while studying abroad.

Lesson 3 and 3.5:

While you’re there, challenge yourself to not try anything you have already had before. Instead of getting chicken tenders, try that new Indian Cuisine in Dubai. I know some of you may be used to your iced, cold-foam matcha but when in Japan, really indulge in the traditional matcha tea. Be Present!
Which leads me to my next point. Bring a journal to document how you’re feeling, what you did or saw, how the trip activities and excursions made you feel. That way when you make it home and you start to feel “uninspired” you have something to look back on. You’ll realize that you have a new found confidence within yourself that now one can take from you.
I mean most of us were told not to go to foreign countries where it could be unsafe or they won’t accept us. But look at you now??

This does not only apply to those who want to start a business. Maybe you want to get your PhD but need inspiration for your research. Maybe you’re a CS major and want to (or have to) build a new app. Maybe you’re an RTF major and want to create a film on the diverse cultures of the world. The possibilities are endless. Use your time in the U.A.E. or Japan for inspiration, a look at new possibilities, and a new sense of confidence.

How Studying Abroad Sparked My Entrepreneurial Journey

Lesson 1

Lesson 2:

Lesson 3 and 3.5:

Helah Payne

world walker