Read Time: 7 minutes

In Part 1, we explored Adam Terhaerdt’s journey from being a college student with a vision to launching StarterByte, a tech startup that empowers small businesses. But building a company while juggling academics is no easy feat. In Part 2, Adam shares how he manages the demands of school and entrepreneurship, the time management strategies that keep him on track, and the invaluable resources that have shaped his startup journey. He also offers key takeaways for aspiring founders, including the mindset needed to embrace challenges and turn setbacks into opportunities. Let’s dive in!

It’s great to have you with us again, Adam. Balancing the demands of running a startup while pursuing a degree is no small challenge. With so many responsibilities competing for your time, how do you manage it all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

Being a student while trying to build a startup is challenging. If I’m being honest, I don’t have the best work-life balance as a business owner. There always seems to be something that needs my attention, whether it’s for school or my business. I’d like to believe that things will get easier after graduation since I won’t have to focus on school assignments, but advice from those older than me suggests otherwise.

Despite the difficulty of balancing school and my business, one strategy that helps me stay on top of everything is time blocking. This has been a highly effective time management tool for me because it allows me to visualize exactly how my day will unfold before it even begins. I get a snapshot of everything that needs to be completed for the week and can plan precisely when I will tackle each task. This approach helps me prioritize my workload effectively. One thing I need to improve, however, is ensuring that I also schedule breaks throughout my day.

For me, one of the most valuable resources has been my university’s entrepreneurship programs. I was fortunate to attend Drexel University, which is not your typical institution. Every student is required to complete three six-month-long cooperative experiences—essentially extended internships. One of these opportunities is the Entrepreneurship Co-Op, where students receive $19,000, six months, and a dedicated office space to work solely on their business. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students who are already running a startup.

Gaining access to this office introduced me to other entrepreneurs within Drexel’s startup ecosystem. The networking opportunities that followed opened many doors for me. For example, I’m currently finishing this blog post while on a flight back from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I competed in the USA National Finals of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). This experience allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals and pitch my company to veteran entrepreneurs who provided invaluable insights.

On a side note, I’m thrilled to share that I won the USA National Finals and will be competing in the North American Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii. This journey has given me exposure to venture capital firms and experienced entrepreneurs—opportunities I never would have discovered without Drexel’s startup ecosystem.

That’s an incredible journey! Juggling a startup and college isn’t easy, but it’s great to hear how time management and the right support system have helped you stay on track. Beyond that, what resources—like books, courses, or mentors—have made the biggest impact on your entrepreneurial journey?

For me, one of the most valuable resources has been my university’s entrepreneurship programs. I was fortunate to attend Drexel University, which is not your typical institution. Every student is required to complete three six-month-long cooperative experiences—essentially extended internships. One of these opportunities is the Entrepreneurship Co-Op, where students receive $19,000, six months, and a dedicated office space to focus entirely on their business. It’s an incredible opportunity for students who are already running a startup.

Gaining access to this office opened the door for me to connect with more entrepreneurs within Drexel’s startup ecosystem. This network introduced me to exciting new opportunities. For example, I’m currently finishing this blog post on my flight back from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I competed in the USA National Finals of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). There, I had the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and pitch my company to veteran entrepreneurs who provided invaluable insights and perspectives on my business.

On a side note, I’m thrilled to share that I won the USA National Finals and will be competing in the North American Finals in Honolulu, Hawaii. This journey has given me exposure to venture capital firms and experienced entrepreneurs—opportunities I never would have known existed if not for Drexel’s startup ecosystem.

That’s amazing, Adam! It’s so inspiring to see how the right network and opportunities have played a huge role in your journey. Before we wrap up, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are just getting started?

If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, don’t be afraid to try. Try, try, try. The best opportunities come to those who dive in headfirst. Find something that brings you joy, brainstorm ways to improve it, and then take action.

The worst kind of regret is looking back and wishing you had tried. If you want to be an entrepreneur but haven’t started yet, take the first step today. Put yourself out there. And most importantly, don’t be afraid of rejection.

Imagine if someone told you that you needed 50 rejections before making your first million. How excited would you be to receive your first, second, or third rejection? Embrace it—because every “no” brings you one step closer to success.

Adam, thank you for sharing your journey, insights, and experiences with us. Your story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about having all the answers from the start—it’s about taking risks, learning from challenges, and constantly pushing forward. From balancing the demands of school and entrepreneurship to leveraging key resources and building a thriving startup, your journey is a testament to the power of persistence and innovation. We appreciate your time and the wisdom you’ve shared, and we’re excited to see what’s next for you and StarterByte. Wishing you the best as you continue to grow and make an impact in the startup world!

Marc J. Bernstein JD, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®

Financial Planner and Consultant, Bestselling Author, and Creator of the Forward Focus Forums

Marc helps high performing entrepreneurs and business owners create a vision for the future, accomplish their business and personal goals, financial and otherwise, and assists them in following through on their intentions.  Marc recently co-founded March, a forward-looking company with a unique approach to wealth management.  He captured his philosophy in his #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Fiscal Therapy Solution 1.0.  Marc is also the founder of the Forward Focus Forum, a suite of resources tailored specifically to educate and connect high performing entrepreneurs, and to help them realize their vision of true financial independence. The forum includes;

• the Founders’ Forward Focus Forum: a series of articles focused on entrepreneurship
• the Founders’ Forum Radio Show and Podcast: featuring interviews with some of the area’s top founders and their experiences in business
• the Manufacturers’ Forward Focus Forum: a specialized resource group for owners/founders of manufacturing companies, including a private Facebook group; a private discussion group for high performing leaders of manufacturing companies to share resources, news, network with each other, and collaborate