In most materials out there that speak of entrepreneurship, passion comes into play. From an educational perspective, the reason why anyone should explore entrepreneurship education is to think about minimizing the risk you take when you are starting or growing a business.

The reality, though, is sometimes you don’t have the passion for the business that you are starting. Most of the books talk about the concept of wanting to be an entrepreneur because you can—rather than because you have to.

This is why the whole concept of the entrepreneurship mindset is so powerful. It’s the way you think about solving a problem or finding or creating an opportunity for you and for the community in which you live. Solving a problem in the community—or creating an opportunity.

Sometimes an entrepreneur discovers his or her passion in the process of the decision to start a company. There are many we call necessity entrepreneurs—those who started a business because no one would hire them.

Some start something they were not passionate about, but along the way discovered an opportunity or a problem, and in that pursuit, found their true passion—so they shifted gears.

Most educational material on this topic discuss having previous expertise or insight before pursuing the entrepreneurial pathway.

I suggest that while it’s great to know your passion and have experience in it before your start a business, it’s not the only way. Many entrepreneurs start businesses without any experience at all, and gain it in along the way.

As I said in the opening, having a passion for what you do or are about to do serves to minimize the risk you are taking for starting or growing the business.

BEFORE YOU GO

We see our blogs as opportunities for dialogue. Please share your thoughts as comments.

• What opportunities did you seek when you started your business, and was it aligned with hour passion?

• What other things you think could help you to start or grow a business?

• What did you discover that helped you uncover your passion?