While failure is a terrifying possibility, the potential for regret is a far more compelling catalyst that inspires me to take action. For my whole life, I have played things safe- too afraid to audition for the school musical, terrified of giving a speech in front of a class, and wondering if I was qualified enough for the classes I chose to take. However, when taking a look at what I want my future to look like, the legacy I aspire to leave behind, and the goals I want to achieve, I realize that my comfort zone cannot be where I reside. This is why I want to pursue a business degree- so that I can live outside of the box, not bowing to corporate standards or being preyed upon by bosses, but rather, be the author of my own life and business. It is because of this goal that I want to open my own coffee shop. Entrepreneurship would allow me to create an environment where the people around me, as well as myself can thrive. I have always been extremely selective in choosing my friends and support circle, but I also place a great deal of value in being a friendly face for anyone and everyone. Making sure that the people I hire have values similar to mine so that anyone who walks through my door knows that they are valued and appreciated is my greatest goal in life. Throughout my high school career I have felt like an outlier in countless instances- sensitive to loud noises, drawn to quiet corners, and soothed by solace found in the library. That being said, I want to create a third space- an intermediary between work and home where lingering for hours is encouraged- whether it be with homework and a cup of coffee, a friend and some tea, or a pastry and a good book. Obtaining a business degree is a vital aspect of my journey to becoming a successful coffee shop owner. It is not about the corporate ladder, the version of “success” that much of the world subscribes to in which pay grade outweighs one’s humanity. A business degree would allow me to create my own version of success- where regular customers can look forward to a friendly face in the morning, where people know that when I ask, “How are you?”, I genuinely mean it and care about their state of mind, and where the atmosphere is of my choosing. I abhor the idea of spending my life wondering if I would have been successful in opening a coffee shop and I do not want it to remain as the glimmer of an idea in the back of my mind. I truly want to make a difference in people’s lives as a positive force and create an atmosphere where outcasts, introverts, and outliers find a home.