The Case for Entrepreneurship: Self-Expression, Empowerment, and Freedom
Entrepreneurship is a noble and necessary vocation. One I would highly recommend. Not because it is a pathway to millionaire status or untold riches, as those are as long a shot as becoming an NBA player. But because entrepreneurship provides those who have the courage, drive, and desire the opportunity for self-expression, empowerment, and autonomous freedom. The rewards of such self-actualization, in time, far exceed any monetary or status payoff that one might be lucky enough to receive. I justify this by saying that at life’s end we never have regrets for what we did, only for what we did not do.
The great news is that entering the world of entrepreneurship is quite easy, and therefore accessible to those who are willing to embrace the inherent risks and possesses an “I Want to Win” attitude. Anyone who harbors an entrepreneurial dream can take the leap of faith to pursue that dream. And what about the risk? Not to worry, risk is simply the cost of an opportunity. Nothing of value is free or cheap, and those who truly want to follow their entrepreneurial dream are willing to pay this cost.
Entrepreneurship Is a Form of Self-Expression
There are some people who express themselves by writing poetry or novels. Some do it by painting or sculpting. Others by building model airplanes or pre-war hot rods. And still others express themselves by creating a business.
The entrepreneur, like the author or songwriter, has something to say and their forum is the business world. Their melody is a vision that blends an entrepreneurial dream with commitment to act. The lyrics are their forward motion with a clear and simple message: “I want to win.”
There is a cupcake/bakery shop here in Tampa that my wife and I visit regularly. In fact the woman who owns the shop, Kim, created our wedding cake. Every item she sells in her shop is an act of self-expression. Today she feels like salted caramel frosting on a double chocolate cake, and that’s what is prominently sitting in the display among the other works of art she has created. And because this is her body of work, an expression and reflection of Kim, the quality is never compromised.
Self-expression is not limited to those business pursuits where a physical object is created. It is most certainly found in less creative, service-oriented businesses, too. The mechanic who fine-tunes a sophisticated engine or the plumber who finds a hidden leak is no less expressive.
Entrepreneurship Is Empowerment
Empowerment is leadership manifested through the act of entrepreneurial self-expression. The moment a theoretical concept, idea, or invention is transformed into a business, the entrepreneur has accepted the role of leader and thus is empowered to build an organization, not of ideas but of people executing your vision. The entrepreneur has control over their journey of success rather than being a participant in someone else’s quest.
Empowerment is not absolute control over subordinates but is the acceptance of responsibility and the act of delegation. Leadership is not “me” having control over you. Leadership is “me” showing and guiding you. And leadership recognizes that empowerment must be offered to everyone throughout the organization. A leader with an entrepreneurial mindset isn’t looking for credit or accolades, they are looking for results. By empowering those who are dedicating themselves to building your dream you effectively create a trusting bond and an individual who is committed.
Empowerment does require three things: a strong character, being a benevolent advocate of change, and a willingness to encourage a culture of failure. To lead you need to have your moral compass pointed toward absolute integrity. Nothing in business creates more fear than change. Yet without change a business is on a slippery slope toward irrelevance. And when you allow those you lead the latitude to try and fail, without retribution, innovation and creativity will flow effortlessly.
Entrepreneurship Is Freedom
Finally, entrepreneurship gives you autonomous freedom from someone else’s dream. It does not provide you with unfettered freedom to do and act as you please or lessen your responsibilities. In fact, being an entrepreneur increases your workload, responsibilities, and burden to preform. However, entrepreneurship gives you the opportunity to choose your own path and make decisions that you deem necessary.
There is a cost for this freedom and ironically many who harbor the desire to abandon the corporate world never leave out of fear of this price. They are trapped by the very situation they are trying to escape and are unwilling to pay the price for their opportunity at freedom. The price is risk. Risk is simply the cost of an opportunity.
My business partner Jorge had created a hugely successful marketing program at the company he was working for prior to forming our partnership. But since this company was part of a larger, publicly traded corporation he never had the chance to maximize its potential (and his, for that matter) while working there. It was only after he left that company and we began our own marketing company did Jorge have the freedom to develop his program. Entrepreneurs have the latitude to seek their own destiny and not conform to someone else’s.
As I said, if your purpose in pursuing an entrepreneurial opportunity is riches, I believe you will be sadly forsaken. The odds are simply against you. However, if you seek personal satisfaction in the form of self-expression, empowerment, and autonomous freedom then your calling is to pursue an entrepreneurial dream -- take the leap of faith and embrace the risk of starting your own business. I highly recommend it.
