Are you an entrepreneur?… Really?
The title of entrepreneur has never sat well with me.
The other night a family member introduced me as an entrepreneur. I have never been inclined to call myself by this title and hadn’t stopped to consider why before, but this prompted me to do so.
I realised that my definition of an entrepreneur is someone with a track record over a sustained period of time of conceiving, starting and growing business ventures – with at least a few successes thrown in the mix. I don’t meet my own definition of an entrepreneur… yet.
The definition of an entrepreneur is open to interpretation. Most dictionary definitions are along the lines of:
entrepreneur
-
noun – a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.
Who chooses to call themselves an entrepreneur and whether or not they should do so, is neither here nor there. In most cases it’ll be someone that’s having a red hot crack at doing something they enjoy – and that’s what matters the most.
It is, for now however, not a word I will use to describe myself.
Are you an entrepreneur?
It's a funny question, hey. It always wind me up when I see guys working as a freelancer that has given up on their own project, still boasting the title Entrepreneur.
I hadn't ever considered that someone who doesn't work for a company the founded as an entrepreneur, but interestingly this is still widely spread for people being the driving force behind a new company.
Being involved in so many different projects in my own right, I have reluctantly taken to using the word in a string of 'what I do' words - as I can't think of anything better that work.
On your part Ryan, I'd say you should proudly wear that badge, so to speak. Having set-up one successful company, setting-up another and supporting others who are doing the same, you should certainly not feel shy about it.
Thanks for your thoughts James. Yes there's certainly a range of applications for the title of entrepreneur. Maybe I don't use it because I have such a hard time spelling it! :)