Peeling back the Layers

So we meet again...

In my last blog post I shed some light... or gave a slightly depressing rant on my desire to not audition for the 8-4 gig that will slowly suffocate every creative cell in my body. I ended by mentioning a bit about my present self and this grand idea of becoming an entrepreneur but then it occurred to me that some of my readers may have but a vague notion of this whole Entrepreneurship shabang... so naturally I enlisted my good friend/ life saver Google to help out in this matter.

It seems to me that everybody and their grandmother's boyfriend has their own way of defining who or what is an entrepreneur. Despite this fluidity, there were some overlapping and reoccurring themes/ideas that arose.

Here are some of the ones I found to be genius.

1. "An entrepreneur searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. Innovation is the specific tool of entrepreneurs, the means by which they exploit change as an opportunity for a different business or a different service"- Peter Drucker, Renowned Management Guru. 
2. "The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We're born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel and experience. It is developed, nurtured and given space to flourish or it is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation and dies" - Michael Gerber, Author and Entrepreneur.
3. "Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or put their reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets"- Victor Kiam, Former Owner of New England Patriots. 

Basically and in a less profound manner, an entrepreneur is an individual...but not just any old "individual", s/he is one of those creative and innovative ones who sees potential in what we, the masses, might disregard and  just push under the carpet. These people are gifted with foresight. We see a lemon, a regular green/yellow lemon and if we're in the mood we might make some lemonade... maybe even sell a glass or two. An entrepreneur sees this lemon, goes to the orchard where the lemons are grown, makes a deal with the owner and sets up an operation that churns out lemon tarts, lemon pies, lemon disinfectant and dish washing liquid,  lemon shaped stationary, lemon scented paper... s/he might even start selling lemonade wholesale if the lemon liquor deal doesn't go as well as s/he expected. 

Back to the point, an entrepreneur is this visionary who sees an opportunity that can be exploited monetarily. They set a goal to capitalize on that opportunity. They make a plan to accomplish this goal. They get others to buy into the idea and seek out the necessary resources. They dedicate time and effort into seeing this plan through. They reap the rewards/profits... or suffer the losses.

Of course it's not that simple. Entrepreneurs are gamblers. Regardless of how amazing the plan appears, there is no assurance that they will indeed be a success. They stand the chance of losing all they put in... and often times a lot more. Not only are they taking this financial risk but they are putting their reputation on the line. 

In addition to this whole risk factor and losing every penny I'm worth if my business fails, there are a few attributes that I'd need to possess if I decide to tread this path.

I can't be focusing/obsessing on the potential failure of my idea. I must be optimistic and have utomost faith in my the success of my idea. If I want others to jump on board, I can't be sailing a sinking ship and disclose this information to my crew. I must patch up the holes and re-assure my sailors that the shoreline is just a few miles out.

Now, I must not be so optimistic that I get myopic and start believing that it's my way or the high way. I must be able to adapt and make the most out of the worst of situations. 

I must also be a leader. A self motivated leader who, although may not be the most charismatic, is able to move the team to action through effective communication. 

I must have that triple threat factor. I must be able ambitious, determined and dedicated. Who cares about 18 hour shifts if that means that my business will reap rewards that are threefold? 

If I do decide to become an entrepreneur, these are some of the things I would have to come to terms with, qualities/skills and I'd have to possess. It might be my ticket to the good life or leave me a pauper. In any case, Life is a Gamble.