Editor's Note: This post is part of a series produced by HuffPost's Girls In STEM Mentorship Program. Join the community as we discuss issues affecting women in science, technology, engineering and math.
How do you start a business with no money? That was just one of the questions discussed during a Twitter chat on entrepreneurship co-hosted by the HuffPost Girls in STEM program and HuffPost Business on Thursday at 12:30pm ET.
STEM entrepreneurs, educators, and advocates alike contributed to a lively discussion. Among the participants were Genevieve Theirs, Founder of SitterCity.com, social technology inventor Vala Afshar and Vanessa Hurst, founder of Code Montage and Developers for Good.
Topics in the hour-long conversation ran the gammut from what holds girls in STEM back from launching their own companies, to how STEM startups and organizations can start working together more. One of the hottest topics of debate was the misunderstood motives for entrepreneurship. Participants tweeted that entrepreneurship isn't about the money or about becoming your own boss, the way many people tend to perceive it. In reality, they said, what motivates someone to become an entrepreneur is the inner all-consuming drive to solve problems.
As for starting a business when you're low in resources, check out how experts responded in the tweets below. Share your own answers to the questions in the comments, and be sure to join us for our next Twitter chat, slated for Thursday July 18th. Follow the #hpstem hashtag for more details.
What are the biggest joys of being an entrepreneur?
re: A3: Finding innovative ways to solve others' problems! #hpstem @HuffPostBiz
— prettypinkponies (@prettypinkpro) July 11, 2013
@HuffPostBiz A3:The freedom to make my dreams & goals a reality. More time to spend raising @sovereignmade, volunteering... #hpSTEM
— Coretta (@CorettaJackson) July 11, 2013
What are the biggest challenges of being an entrepreneur? A female entrepreneur?
@HuffPostBiz The absence of 'trust' culture that ensures access to resources and tools to sustain the spirit of entrepreneurship #hpstem
— Telema Davies (@telemaspeaks) July 11, 2013
@maulanaadi_89 good point! #hpstem
— HuffPostBiz (@HuffPostBiz) July 11, 2013
What kind of misconceptions are present around entrepreneurship?
A5: The biggest misconception about entrepreneurs is that they are only in it for the money. #hpSTEM
— John R. Bell (@JohnRichardBell) July 11, 2013
Also, there's a huge myth that entrepreneurs do it for money.Truth? There's not enough money in the world to merit the pain or time. #hpstem
— genevievethiers (@genevievethiers) July 11, 2013
Huge misconception: that you should become an entrepreneur because you don't want someone else to be your boss (1/2) #hpstem A5
— Vanessa Hurst (@DBNess) July 11, 2013
How does a person without any resources go about starting a business?
We can fail alone. To succeed we must work together and inspire others towards a meaningful purpose. #hpstem
— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) July 11, 2013
@HuffPostBiz Social Media is key! Twitter is a serendipty engine and collaborators are waiting! #hpstem
— Angela Maiers (@AngelaMaiers) July 11, 2013
Let’s talk partnership: Why are the STEM start-ups that currently exist not working together -- or are they?
All entrepreneurs are in the same boat, STEM or not. Difference is that I will drop everything to mentor the women. We need it more. #hpstem
— genevievethiers (@genevievethiers) July 11, 2013
Fear of loosing sponsors/ship~>"@HuffPostBiz: Why are the STEM start-ups that currently exist not working together -- or are they? #hpstem”
— Aniesia Williams (@iamaniesia) July 11, 2013
What holds girls in technology back from launching their own companies or working for emerging companies?
@HuffPostBiz A9 Mentorship and resources #hpstem
— Rebecca Searles (@beccabigwords) July 11, 2013
If a young girl knew that being in tech would make her more appealing, she'd do it. But that's not clear. Right now=geek. #hpstem
— genevievethiers (@genevievethiers) July 11, 2013
What is the one thing to always remember as an entrepreneur? How can this thought motivate and support girls in STEM?
RT @HuffPostBiz A10: Believe in yourself always and forever. Everyone else will, too! #hpSTEM
— Dr. Lee-Anne Gray (@DrLeeAnneG) July 11, 2013
A10: Entrepreneurship = Application and Sustainability #hpstem
— Colin Wood (@ologywood) July 11, 2013
A10- Don't Wait to Be Asked-Pick Yourself Dare to Change the World: http://t.co/BTV5Pf4q5i
#hpstem— Angela Maiers (@AngelaMaiers) July 11, 2013
To succeed, STEM or no, you must suspend disbelief. There's a solution to everything. Don't believe me? Get out of the room I am in. #hpstem
— genevievethiers (@genevievethiers) July 11, 2013