Entrepreneurship in Our Future – Nu Leadership Series
January 23rd, 2008 Filed under: Uncategorized — Small Home Business AuthorWhile on business travel, I was riding the Metro subway in Washington, DC and got off at the end of the line. The location was in a depressed area with little there for the commuter. As I waited for my ride, I saw two young boys carrying a huge box of M&Ms in hopes of selling to weary commuters. I found it amusing that these young men were catering to this market. I wondered how these inexperienced children could be so successful in business. Many individuals are not.
Where is America headed? According to a DC Velocity survey about the U.S. economic outlook for the next 12 months, 44% of people expected a weakening economy. Are we just too complacent to care? Our grandmothers told us to find a good government job with benefits, and we would then live happily ever after. We found that wasn’t true. In fact, companies are outsourcing functions like employees are disposal goods. In fact, Charles Handy, author of the Age of Paradox, predicts that we are witnessing the end of the full-time employee. Workers will become independent contractors. Let’s explore the subject in more detail.
Most entrepreneurs are internally driven. Gam’s Barbershop is more than a haircut establishment in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is an experience. Men debate. Fans might see a UT athlete or even Coach Pearl there. However, this successful vision came from one person. Despite growing up in a single parent home and fighting numerous youth temptations, Gary Gamble wanted more. Gam explains, “I always wanted to own my own business. I went to barbershop school with my friend. My friend later quit school. I kept on going. I wanted to do something with my life.” He did. In 1993, Gam’s Barbershop was opened. However, it wasn’t easy. Gam says, “I just try to be determined and never give up.”
Some people just stumble on a niche. Owners Charles and Gwen Chandlers took a hobby and grew it into a business. Chandler’s Deli, known for its Southern cooking and great service, is located in the heart of an urban area. While many restaurants have failed in the area, this restaurant still stands. Charles notes, “I think we have been successful for three reasons. They are God, determination between my wife and me, and our personal assets. God just wanted us to have it [this deli].” Currently, the couple is working with the University of Tennessee Agricultural Department to locate a distributor for their new spices.
Some dreamers forget about personal sacrifice. Greg Copelan and David Johnson, owners of 180 Sport & Fitness, know better. Johnson explains, “We both have always had an interest in owning our own clubs. When we met, we shared an entrepreneurial mindset that caused us both to leave previous employers.” That vision transformed a stagnated, chain health club into their own niche market. The two entrepreneurs carefully implemented their marketing plan. David adds, “When we started to discuss our dreams we saw a way of combining the two [sports and fitness facility]…we aren’t original in that respect, but where we went a step further- by finding a building space that could accommodate growth and to seek financial backing.” In fact, the health club has already expanded to another location in the area.
As lay-offs continue, can Americans afford to depend on organizations to take care of them? National trends suggest no. I started my own consulting firm several years ago. More of my friends are building their own businesses. Clearly, entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Yet, our nation needs to continue its economic development campaign. Can we do it? Only time will tell.
(c) 2008 by Daryl Green
Daryl D. Green has published over 100 articles in the field of decision-making (personal and organizational), leadership, and organizational behavior. Mr. Green is also the author of four books, including More than a Conqueror: Achieving Personal Fulfillment in Government Service. Do you want to improve your life? Do you want to make better decisions? If you answer “yes,” then go to the ‘master decision-making’ website at http://www.darylgreen.org
