Are you an Entrepreneur?
Recently I went to a University Entrepreneurs’ social; as I walked into the event, I had no idea what to expect.
It was half way through the event, when I began speaking to the organiser of the social. I hadn’t a clue who he was, what he did or how he got to where he was.
In his first year at University, a good two years ago, he thought of an idea, one which no-one had even realised was a necessity. At first this was just like any other idea which seems interesting for a while, but isn’t worth even researching. As the weeks went by and his term drew to an end, he continued to notice the growing necessity of the service he wanted to provide.
Days went by, nights elapsed and there was still no progress with this idea. He decided to join a partnership, thinking that it will encourage him to work faster, and hopefully progress.
Unexpected by many, the service was finally launched later that year…
I admired his enthusiasm and ambitious nature, and it struck me that there are many people with similar stories. I began thinking of successful entrepreneurs, and to name but a few; a 17 year old jam producer who made jam using his grandma’s recipe in his own kitchen; this was loved by many, and he created a business opportunity out of this product. The product now has a spot on most major supermarket chains. His ability to follow through with his idea made him millions. Another example is the pixel creator, which might get you thinking, many of you may have thought of advertising on websites, but who’s ever thought of having a website just for adverts? – A pixel per advert. I soon realised that there were too many entrepreneurs to name, and that this one university student was not alone, however was among a number of young achievers…
Some readers will relate to my thoughts directly, others may regret missing an opportunity, and yet others may even be relieved at having abstained from an uncertain venture.
One of our weak tendencies is the ease with which we brush thoughts/ideas away, which often may reep high rewards. Often the excuse would be because we’ve got too much on to even think about anything else. Although this sounds like an easy cop out, it doesn’t take much to put some thoughts on paper, and experiment.
This article isn’t meant to be a piece of advice, but just something to think about. As it could only take a jam recipe to become an entrepreneur. Take some time out, think of an idea. Research it. Launch it.
A good thought – who wouldn’t want to be the next Alan Sugar – but perhaps only in a utopian world could such an idea actually come to fruition.
Meanwhile, we all (will eventually have) families to feed and clothe, bills to pay, a mortgage etc and all of that requires a steady, solid and reliable income.
Unless you’re extraordinarily talented, come from an affluent family and can afford to chance your arm without thinking of the future, or get a serious dose of good luck, it might just be too good to be true.
I appreciate you are not ‘giving advice’ and even appreciate just how ‘uncertain’ a ‘venture’ such as this can be, but alas, there are reasons our parents tell us to aim for employment in sustainable and reliable job markets.
Indeed, with the financial situation in the country in the current state it is in, and the high rate of unemployment, times are tougher than normal, and to chance your arm in such an ‘uncertain venture’ is a risk that is seriously magnified at this current time.
But your optimism is a breath of fresh air that is certainly commendable.
You raise some good points. However, people often start up side-ventures aside from their degree or jobs, and sometimes you do find ideas which have low start-up costs such as the two mentioned in the artice, and hence have very little risk attached. This makes it feasible for even young entrepreneurs. Nonetheless, with the current climate, we must be extra cautious when arming into uncertain ventures.