Ben Casnocha visited the UTEP College of Business to discuss entrepreneurship and his life experiences on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Presenting in front of approximately seventy students, Casnocha discussed the value of thinking differently and escaping the “textbook approach to life.”

Casnocha presented three main ideas: entrepreneurship is more of a life idea than a business one, an entrepreneur must be committed to personal growth, and entrepreneurs do stuff.

The first idea highlighted things that entrepreneurs have one thing in common: optimism, persistence, and side projects. The second idea stated an entrepreneur must emphasize strengths over weaknesses and consistently work on self-improvement. Casnocha believes working on soft assets, such as knowledge, reputation, and connections, is the most valuable way for young people to spend their time. The third idea stated entrepreneurs do stuff.

Casnocha concluded that thinking entrepreneurially would pay off.

“As you keep splashing paint onto your blank white canvas, someday a unique painting will emerge,” Casnocha said. “And since it will be truly your own, I think it will be a beautiful creation.”