Redefining Entrepreneurship

It is fascinating to hear people define entrepreneurship in the way they want it to be or the characteristics they think an entrepreneur possesses. We’ve heard that an entrepreneur is someone that creates something new, a person who is creative, someone who adds value, someone who motivated to use his or her passion to drive business.

Merriam-Webster defines an entrepreneur as: one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. While that is important, we challenge it in the way that we have seen so many people discuss it.

Many in the education field - specifically in the entrepreneurship education world - think entrepreneurship is a mindset, a way of thinking, of doing things. This is why we have seen, as we have discussed in the past, a rise of entrepreneurship in many other sectors, such as corporate entrepreneur, employee entrepreneur STEMpreneur, and so on.

The reason people now believe entrepreneurship is a mindset is because you can be anywhere and think about ways that will allow you to create opportunities leveraging whatever resources you have.

Sometimes entrepreneurs miss the dictionary definition mark, but it all hits the mark in the way they go about it - doing what it takes, making sure it happens. This is why it is a mindset of seeing things the way that others may not see. While we could also argue this could be learned or taught, or you are born with it, it is a whole different world.

The point is the mindset you have, in thinking about the way you do things.

BEFORE YOU GO

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

1. What ways have you chosen to create yourself as an entrepreneur?

2. What books or ideas, or steps have you taken to keep you engaged in your entrepreneurial journey?

3. What other resources have you used to stay focused on the journey when speed bumps arise?