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Mike Michalowicz is The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur 1. What does a Toilet Paper Entrepreneur stand for? How did you come to this term and why do you use it since it is rather strange?
Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is all about the real, raw experience of building your own business. Like the bathroom experience, few people talk about the "dirty" side of business. We see the successes on the front covers of magazines, but we don't see the struggles they have gone through to get there. The fact is entrepreneurship is tough, and at times you will be stuck without any "toilet paper", but if you are willing to innovate, to do the unexpected, you will succeed.
About the term… I like the fact it is strange and unexpected. It gets people's attention. And I like that it is the common human experience that we all share. We have all "been there". Since everyone has been caught without toilet paper, it becomes easy to relate that to entrepreneurship.
2. I read that in your opinion anyone who has a desire to become an entrepreneur, even if for only a short moment and with many doubts, should follow this desire. So can anyone become an entrepreneur or are entrepreneurs born?
In fact, I think most people will fail trying to become an entrepreneur. Most people won't make it. The thing is if you never try, you will never know. And even if you do fail, you will be strengthened by the knowledge that you had the courage to try, and that it in fact did not kill you. Entrepreneurship is the ultimate opportunity for expression. It is the ultimate opportunity to pursue anything you want. Don't get me wrong, it is HARD to do it... but if you try to pursue your calling, your desires, your dreams... you will learn that it is possible. You will learn that you can do things that you never thought you could do. And in some cases... you will knock it out of the park and be wildly successful.... and perhaps, just perhaps, it’s you. You'll never know unless you try, and you commit to sticking it out.
3. What are the most common excuses people use to avoid launching a business?
I hear millions of them. Too old, too young. Don't have the financial security. Have too much money (and I might get sued) don't hear that one often, but believe it or not I have. As you can see there is a million reasons not to do it. But for me I think they are all bull. All I know, is every day, you are one day closer to leaving the planet. So, the only time to start is now... RIGHT NOW!
4. Although our readers’ audience is rather young, is it ever too late to start your own business? On the other hand some claim that sometimes one becomes an entrepreneur too soon. So when is the right time to become entrepreneur?
It is never too late. It is never too early. Study after study shows that the sooner you start the wealthier and more enjoyable the experience is. So regardless of your age today is earlier then tomorrow. So, start today.
5. Since you were a very successful entrepreneur already as a student, what would be the main advice for our readers that are following your path or at least considering?
Try to fail as fast as possible. Everyone will have a failure at some point. Mine, ironically came, after two successes. I didn't know what crash and burn failure was... but man did I need that lesson. It emboldens you toward the future, it keeps you humble and connected, and it shows you that there is a much greater purpose then just getting rich. You need to get rich, right - is what it boils down to. So, don't be afraid to fail. In fact invite failure to you. It will teach you lessons you never imagined, and it will evaluate your successes too.
Author: Valentina Nahtigal
Enterprising researchers 
