What is entrepreneurial spirit?
- Aug 02, 2012
Today's guest blog comes from the Neil Rhule, from the Caribbean's Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship...
I’ve heard it said that “entrepreneurs are born, not raised”. This may or may not be true but I take some issue with this statement and the context in which it is used. First of all, what is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is defined as one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. This basically means that you have a great idea or initiative and are willing to take the bold step to make it happen while considering the risks. To some, being an entrepreneur is just another word for being unemployed!
Everyone is born with a talent and has the ability to learn a skill. I would like to share my three steps to becoming an entrepreneur that I believe is applicable to anyone. These three steps are:
Step 1 - Have a talent or skill (be creative!)
Step 2 - Offer a service based on that talent or skill
Step 3 - Start a business from the service you offer
The steps seem simple enough to me, and anyone can become an entrepreneur by following these steps. However there are character traits that must be had as well. Primary among these is overcoming the fear of the unknown. For me, one of the greatest things about being an entrepreneur is that each new day brings new possibilities.
I am not shackled to a systemized process, even though they have their place. For others, this kind of life might not be so appealing. For the fearless ones who boldly go where no one has gone before, this comes naturally. But to the rest of us who have become accustomed to a systemized way of life and the protection and security it offers, the uncertainty of entrepreneurship is always a dream that seems possible when you have enough security laid up to pursue it. Entrepreneurship requires an environment in which to be nurtured, an environment to inspire creativity, innovation, collaboration and a knowing that great things are possible. Environments much like Silicon Valley, California where a generation of entrepreneurs emerged in the 1960s who have now changed the world and built a culture of creativity, innovation and invention that continues to this day.
In Jamaica, there is a tremendous amount of entrepreneurship that takes place. This entrepreneurial activity goes by another name which we in Jamaica call ‘Hustling’. ‘Hustling’ is taking place all over Jamaica and desperately needs support structures to formalize them and take them to the next level. What is the environment that stimulates so much entrepreneurial activity? Well, I’ve also heard it said that “Necessity is the mother of invention”. If there is anywhere in the world that this holds true, it is in Jamaica. Jamaicans know how to survive through adversity. There is a common slang on the street “Hustling haffi gwaan, money haffi mek” which translates to “I must be an entrepreneur because there is money to be made”.
So I say, that I take issue with the statement that “entrepreneurs are born, not raised” because we are all entrepreneurs born! Be creative, and believe that you have something to offer the world to make it a better place.
Neil Rhule is an entrepreneur at the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, Caribbean and founder of www.thinkwebgroup.com
