How a Drop-Out Became an Entrepreneur – 3 Lessons Randy Wyner Learned Along the Way
I founded Chronic Tacos with my friend Dan when I was 26 and I never spent a day in college. Anyone can do it, right? It sounds easy enough to skip the college degree in favor of pursuing your dreams. And with entrepreneurs out there, like Bill Gates and Richard Branson, acting as the perfect example of finding success as a dropout, the argument seems pretty strong against getting a degree. And while I share with those two the fact that we don’t have a degree, every entrepreneur has to find their own path and use those lessons they learn along the way to their advantage. I believe that all entrepreneurs – no matter what their educational background – have achieved success by focusing on their passion and backing it up with an unparalleled work ethic.
I was 18 when I left school in order to raise my son. I needed to take care of my family and working was the best way to achieve that. I founded Chronic Tacos in 2002 and 12 years later, I still love what I’m doing. We’re rapidly expanding and we set a goal to open 100 stores by 2018. There are many paths to becoming an entrepreneur and if you decide to forgo college to pursue a business opportunity, there are a few tips that can help you become the most successful entrepreneur possible.
Work Hard at Everything, No Matter What
If you aren’t giving it 100 percent, it probably isn’t worth doing. I’m glad that I held blue collar jobs before I founded a company, for the simple reason that blue collar jobs can teach you the importance of hard work. At Jiffy Lube in particular, I was rewarded for my tireless work ethic by being promoted to become one of the youngest managers in the company. By the age of 20, I was running my own Jiffy Lube and had been offered a high-level position as a managing partner. I left to pursue my own interests, but not before I proved to myself that success is related to the amount of work you’re willing put in. I approach every business opportunity with the same dedication because. Today event I see the rewards of my hard work reflected in many different ways.
Learn From Your Hits and Misses
Sure, there is a possibility that you will found the next Amazon or create the next Facebook before you finish college and propel yourself to entrepreneurial stardom. If I’ve learned anything on my non-traditional path, it’s that there are a lot of missteps and false starts along the way that will end up helping you in the long-run. It was a struggle at the time, but I’m glad to say that I persevered and proved to myself and my family that I could take my passion to the next level. I started several companies in my early twenties before Chronic Tacos and they are all valuable and unique experiences. I started a valet company in1996, followed by a clothing company, and then a screen-printing factory, which had contracts with Disney and Mattel. When my friend Dan and I stumbled upon the idea of opening up a taco shop in SoCal, I knew that we were starting something special. It took all those experiences to fine- tune my entrepreneurial instincts and turn my next passion into a thriving franchise.
Enjoy the Journey!
Following your dreams is a very personal decision. There are a lot of factors that play a part in leading you to make the right choice. Dropping out of school, whether it is college or high school, is not for everyone, and I’m not going to say you should do one or the other. Along the way, I’ve allowed myself to have fun. The joy I take in going into work every day is one of the biggest reasons the path I chose has worked for me. If you put too much pressure on yourself to become something that is unnatural or forced, you can miss out on enjoying the journey that you’re on. If you are lucky enough to call yourself an entrepreneur and you can take pride in the fact that you’re living out your dream, it won’t matter whether you have the diploma or not.
About Chronic Tacos
Founded in 2002, the Chronic Tacos franchise celebrates the uniqueness of every individual through its fresh, made-to-order third generation Mexican cuisine customized for each customer’s distinctive taste. With more than 30 locations throughout North America, Chronic Tacos is committed to serving only the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients. For more information about the franchise opportunity, please visit www.eatchronictacos.com.
