One of the standout aspects of The Author Conservatory is our emphasis on business and entrepreneurship skills. We not only teach the writing craft skills it takes to create a successful novel, but we also equip our students with essential business and entrepreneurship training so they know how to effectively sell, market, and build a platform. 

Now, for the first time, we are officially offering this entrepreneurship training outside the context of The Author Conservatory. 

Introducing The Rising Entrepreneur Institute, a new program designed to help young people become entrepreneurs and launch profitable businesses without needing a college degree.

A New Approach to Entrepreneurship

The Rising Entrepreneur Institute is a two-year program designed to help students start a full-time business. 

Year one involves mastering the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship skills through a strategic learning lab. Under the guidance of experienced entrepreneurs and business owners, students in The Rising Entrepreneur Institute will launch an initial business venture with the goal of making their first sales, mastering marketing and branding techniques, and managing a successful venture. 

Once they enter year two, students can choose to continue growing their business they started in year one or create a new venture on a much larger scale. Business expansion is the main focus, as well as crucial skills such as taxes and hiring employees.

The goal of The Rising Entrepreneur is for each student to walk away with a sustainable business that provides full-time income. We accomplish this through a “learn by doing” philosophy that allows students to get hands on experience that generates real income.

Am I A Good Fit for the Rising Entrepreneur Institute?

You recently graduated from college and are struggling with “the real world.”

Many college graduates struggle to transition from college living to the “real adult world.” There’s a job market to break into, rent to pay, groceries to buy, and looming student debt. The Rising Entrepreneur Institute provides a way to break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck and start living life on your own terms.

You feel stuck at work.

After college, most students are happy with a decent paying job, even if it means they have to spend 8 hours a day at work and have to live for the weekends. The Rising Entrepreneur Institute allows you to generate income at a higher hourly rate than more traditional jobs, while also allowing you to do something you enjoy.

You’re taking a gap year to figure out your next steps.

Many students have started opting for a gap year after high school. Most spend their time working, saving money, and evaluating their next steps. Why not spend your gap year generating full-time income for yourself? 

Success Stories from Real Students

Check out these amazing success stories from real students as a result of our entrepreneurial training: 

• Allie embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by launching a gluten-free baked goods business. Within just four months, she achieved $5,000 in sales, demonstrating the demand for her niche products.
• Zoe Anastasia turned her passion for reading into a profitable venture. By creating and selling custom booksleeves and bookmarks on Etsy, she generated $65,000 in revenue, earning approximately $48 per hour. Her success highlights the potential of combining creativity with e-commerce platforms.
• Bruce Hill identified an opportunity in land-clearing services in California. By establishing his own business, he began earning thousands of dollars per job, showcasing the rewards of addressing local needs with entrepreneurial solutions.
• Joshua Bellinghausen focused on the automotive sector by expanding his car detailing business. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, he secured seven new clients, nearly doubling his business’s size compared to the previous year.
• Joseph Brink combined sustainability with service by starting a landscaping business using an e-bike and trailer. Over one summer, he earned $23,000, emphasizing the viability of eco-friendly business models.
• Juliet Artman ventured into the cleaning industry as a teenager. Before turning twenty, she had built a house-cleaning business that generated $50,000 in revenue and employed multiple individuals, reflecting her leadership and business acumen.

Launch a Business in Half the Time it Takes Your Peers to Earn a College Degree

If you’re ready to create your own opportunity in the world through entrepreneurship, consider applying for The Rising Entrepreneur Institute. You’ll speak with our program director, who will explore if our program would be the best fit for you.