Entrepreneurship: What it is and How to Become an Entrepreneur

Although the definition of entrepreneurship has not changed over the years, it is clear that the opportunities for entrepreneurs who are interested in entrepreneurship have increased significantly.

Consider this: 100 years ago, which options were available to entrepreneurs? You were out of luck if you don’t have the skills to create something or the capital to purchase something.

Fast forward to today, and there are 582 million entrepreneurs in the world. There are many opportunities.

What is Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is the act of creating a business or business while building and scaling it to generate a profit.

However, this definition of entrepreneurship is somewhat restrictive. Modern entrepreneurship is about solving big problems and changing the world. Like bringing about social change or creating an innovative product that challenges the status quo of how we live our lives on a daily basis.

The definition of entrepreneurship doesn’t say it all. Entrepreneurship is when people take control of their careers and dream and make it happen in the direction they desire.

It’s about building a life on your own terms. No bosses. No restricting schedules. No one is holding you back. Entrepreneurs can take the first steps towards making the world a better place for everyone.

What is an Entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs are people who set up new businesses and take on the risk while reaping the rewards. Entrepreneurship is the act of starting a business. Entrepreneurs are often viewed as innovators, source of new ideas, products, services, and business/or procedure.

Entrepreneurs are a vital part of any economy. They use their skills and initiative to anticipate market needs and bring new ideas to the marketplace. Entrepreneurship that proves to be successful in taking on the risks of creating a startup is rewarded with profits, fame, and continued growth opportunities. Failure to be an entrepreneur results in loss and less presence in the market for those involved.

What is the meaning of entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship is defined as someone who acts to change the world. Startup entrepreneurs can solve a problem many people struggle with every day, bring people together in ways no one has ever seen before, or create something revolutionary that advances society. All of them have one thing in common.

It’s not a random idea. Entrepreneurs are the ones who take an idea and make it a reality. Execution of ideas is the essence of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is important

Why is entrepreneurship so important to you? Let’s take a look at some of the most important reasons.

• Entrepreneurs create jobs. Without them, there wouldn’t be any. Entrepreneurs are willing to take the risk of being employed. Their ambition to continue their business’ growth eventually leads to the creation of new jobs. Their business grows, creating more jobs.
• Businesses are the source of some of today’s most innovative technologies. Technological advances are born out of the need to solve a problem or create efficiency in order to improve the world. Entrepreneurs are often the ones to be credited for technological advancements.
• Entrepreneurs create change: Entrepreneurs dream big. Some of their ideas can make a difference in the world. They might create a new product that solves a burning problem or take on the challenge to explore something never explored before. Many people want to improve the world through their ideas, products, and businesses.
• Entrepreneurs are a gift to society. They make more money and thus pay more in taxes, which helps fund social services. Entrepreneurs are the largest donors to charities and non-profits for various causes. Many are looking to create solutions that will allow poorer communities to have access to basic services such as clean drinking water.
• Entrepreneurs increase national income. Entrepreneurship creates new wealth for an economy. Entrepreneurs can bring new ideas to the table and create new products and services that will help grow new markets and increase wealth.

How Entrepreneurship Works

Entrepreneurship is one resource economists consider integral to the production. The other three are labor/natural resources, capital, and land/natural resources. Entrepreneurs combine the three first to produce goods or offer services. They typically create a business plan, hire labor, acquire resources and financing, and provide leadership and management for the business.

Many obstacles are faced by entrepreneurs when starting their businesses. These are the three most difficult obstacles that entrepreneurs cite:

1. Beating bureaucracy
2. Talentes to hire
3. Obtaining financing

Economists never used a consistent definition for “entrepreneur” or “entrepreneurship”. The French verb entreprendre means “to undertake”, and the word “entrepreneur” is derived from the French verb. Though the concept of an entrepreneur existed and was known for centuries, the classical and neoclassical economists left entrepreneurs out of their formal models: They assumed that perfect information would be known to fully rational actors, leaving no room for risk-taking or discovery. Economists didn’t seriously attempt to include entrepreneurship in their models until the middle 20th century.

Entrepreneurs were included by three thinkers: Joseph Schumpeter and Frank Knight. Schumpeter believed that entrepreneurs, not just companies, were responsible for creating new opportunities in the pursuit of profit. Knight focused on entrepreneurs as the bearers of uncertainty and believed they were responsible for risk premiums in financial markets. Kirzner saw entrepreneurship as a process that leads to discovery.

How to become an entrepreneur

Judi Sheppard Missett, who had retired from professional dancing, became an entrepreneur and taught a class to civilians to make extra money. She soon discovered that women who visited her studio were more interested in learning the steps than in losing weight or toning down. Sheppard Missett trained instructors to show Jazzercise to the masses. A franchise deal followed. The company now has over 8,300 locations around the world.

Two entrepreneurs, Jerry Greenfield, and Ben Cohen, took an ice cream-making correspondence class and paired $8,000 of savings with a $4,000 loan. They leased a Burlington gas station in Vermont and bought equipment to make ice cream that was unique.

The “self-made man” or woman has been a common figure in American society for centuries. However, entrepreneurship has become incredibly romanticized over the past few decades. People are attracted to the idea of being entrepreneurs because of the success of Internet companies such as Alphabet (fka Google) and Facebook (FB).

Contrary to traditional careers, which have a clear path, the path to entrepreneurship can be confusing to many. One entrepreneur’s success may not be the same for another and vice versa.

Ensure Financial Stability

Although this is not an absolute requirement, it is highly recommended. Entrepreneurs have been able to build successful businesses even though they are not financially well off (think about Mark Zuckerberg, a college student who started Facebook). However, starting with enough cash and continuing funding can help entrepreneurs increase their personal runway and allow them to focus on building a business that is profitable, instead of worrying about making quick bucks.

Create a diverse skill set

It is crucial to have a wide range of skills once a person has good finances. Then, you can apply these skills in the real world. Step two can be completed simultaneously with step 1.

Building a skill set can be achieved through learning and trying new tasks in real-world settings. If an aspiring entrepreneur has a background as a financial professional, they can work in sales at their company to acquire the soft skills needed to succeed. When entrepreneurs have a variety of skills, they can use them to help them in tough situations.

Many have debated whether it is necessary to go to college to be a successful entrepreneur. Famous entrepreneurs include Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs.

Although it is not necessary to start a business, college can help young people learn a lot about the world. These famous college dropouts are not the norm. However, it can help young people learn a lot about the world, especially considering the high cost of college in the U.S.

You don’t need to major in entrepreneurship to start your own business. Successful entrepreneurs have studied in many areas. This can allow you to see a new way of thinking and help you establish your business.

Consume Content on Multiple Channels

While it is important to have a wide skill set, it is just as important to be able to consume diverse content. You can consume this content in podcasts, articles, books, lectures, and even videos. It doesn’t matter what channel you use, the important thing is that your content should be diverse in its scope. An aspiring entrepreneurs should always familiarize themself with the world around them so they can look at industries with a fresh perspective, giving them the ability to build a business around a specific sector.

Find a problem to solve

An aspiring entrepreneur can identify different problems by consuming content on multiple channels. A company’s product/service must solve a specific problem for another business or a customer group. This is a business maxim. An aspiring entrepreneur can identify a problem and build a business around it.

You should combine steps 3 and 4. This will allow you to see the problems in different industries from an outsider’s perspective. This can often give aspiring entrepreneurs the ability to see problems that others may not.

Find the Solution

Startups that succeed solve specific problems for customers or the public are known as “adding value within the problem.” This is called “adding value to the problem”. Entrepreneurs can only succeed if they add value to a problem or pain point.

Imagine that you find it difficult to book a dental appointment. This could lead to dentists losing business. It could be worth creating an online booking system that makes it easier for patients to book appointments.

Network Like Crazy

Most entrepreneurs can’t do it alone. It is not easy to be a business owner in today’s business environment. Getting any assistance you can help reduce the time and effort required to build a business. For any new entrepreneur, networking is essential. The difference between success or failure can be made by connecting with the right people in your industry.

You can get help by attending conferences, calling and emailing people in the industry, and speaking to your cousin’s brother who’s in a similar business. It’s much easier to start a business when you are connected with the right people.

Be an example

Entrepreneurs must be leaders within their companies. Simply doing the day-to-day requirements will not lead to success. Leaders must motivate and inspire employees to achieve their full potential. This will ensure the company’s success.

Take a look at the most successful and successful companies. All of them had great leaders. Apple, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Microsoft, Bob Iger, Disney, and many others. Learn from these leaders and study their books. You can become a leader your employees will follow by setting an example.

Types of Entrepreneurs

Every entrepreneur is different and has different goals. These are just a few examples of entrepreneurs.

Builder

Builders strive to build scalable businesses in a short period of time. In the first two to three years, builders typically surpass $5 million in annual revenue and build up to $100 million. They are looking to create a strong infrastructure and attract the best investors. These individuals have temperamental personalities that can be suited for the rapid growth they seek but can also make it difficult to build personal and business relationships.

Opportunist

Opportunistic entrepreneurs can be optimistic people who are able to spot financial opportunities and stay on the sidelines during growth. They also have the ability to exit when the business reaches its peak.

These entrepreneurs are focused on profits and building wealth. They are drawn to ideas that can generate residual income or renewal income. Opportunistic entrepreneurs are often impulsive because they seek out well-timed opportunities.

Innovator

Innovators are the rare people who come up with an innovative idea or product that no one else has ever thought of. Think of Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, and Mark Zuckerberg. These people worked hard on their passions and discovered business opportunities.

Innovators are more concerned about society than money. They aren’t as good at managing a business as they can be idea-generating people. So they often leave the day to others who are more skilled in this area.

Specialist

These people are highly analytical and can be risk-averse. These individuals have strong skills in a particular area that they acquired through apprenticeship or education. Specialist entrepreneurs will grow their business by networking and referring others, which results in slower growth than builders.

There are 4 types of Entrepreneurship

There are many types of entrepreneurs. They also create different kinds of businesses. Here are the most important types of entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship for small businesses

Small business entrepreneurship is the idea of opening a business without turning it into a large conglomerate or opening many chains. Small business entrepreneurship could be described as a single location restaurant, a single grocery store, or a shop that sells handmade goods.

They usually invest their own money, and they only succeed if the business makes a profit. They do not have any outside investors and will accept a loan only if it is necessary to continue the business.

Scalable Startup

These companies are founded with an original idea. Think Silicon Valley. These companies are expected to invent a new product or service, and then continue growing the company while scaling up. This type of company often requires large capital and investors to expand their ideas and reach multiple markets.

Large company

A large company entrepreneur is the creation of a new business unit within an existing company. An existing company might be well-positioned to expand into other industries or to get involved in new technology.

These CEOs see a new market or employees within the company have ideas they want to share with senior management.

Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship aims to bring about social change and benefit society. Through their products or services, they aim to help communities and the environment. They don’t seek to make a profit but instead strive to help the world around.

Entrepreneur Ideas

As a startup entrepreneur, there are so many ideas you can pursue depending on the business skills you already have and what you’re willing to learn. Here are a handful of business ideas to get you started:

• Owner of an Ecommerce store
• Freelancer (write a blog, accountant, designer)
• Teaching (online courses, author).
• App creator (chatbots, social media apps)
• Service-based business (food delivery and cleaning, dog walking, etc.)
• Business consulting (wedding planner, coach)
• Airbnb Apartment Rentals
• Marketing businesses (influencer marketing, SEO brands, PR firms)
• Affiliate marketing (Amazon Affiliate, Clickbank, etc)
• Blogger (product reviews, niche blog, magazine)
• Vlogger (start a YouTube channel, Twitch)
• Flipper (domain name, website, house)
• Translator
• Gig Economy (driver, Fiverr)
• Real estate agent (condos, houses, commercial)
• Photographer (product photography, sell photos)
• Stock broker (buying and trading stocks)
• Tutor
• Website flipper
• Reseller business

Are you ready to be an entrepreneur?

There is no one way to be an entrepreneur. These individuals come in many shapes and sizes, and they can have a profound impact on every aspect of our lives.

Even though the world is so diverse, there are some things all entrepreneurs share in common. They are passionate and ambitious, and they use this to create empires that solve the most difficult problems.

Entrepreneurship is a way to make a difference in the world and advance society.

Trust your gut instincts and follow your intuitions. Keep your mind open to new opportunities and learning.

Victoria Maybach

Blog editor and content marketing specialist at Turbologo. Writing about Marketing and design. Victoria’s articles contain useful tips on how to build a brand and promote it online.