Social entrepreneurs are people that recognize social problems and use entrepreneurship as a means to solve those problems. The main goals of these type of business is not to turn a profit but to focus their goals on creating societal improvements. Personally the first thing that comes to mind is companies that promote energy efficiency. Most individuals waste lots of energy on a daily basis. We all use energy for heating, cooking, and transportation. Our day to day activities depend on it. The majority of energy created derives from natural resources that are irreplaceable. These natural resources are being used in large quantities which can severely effect our sustainability. Many companies are becoming more energy efficient as a means to cut cost and do something good for the environment.
21 Golden Rules of Entrepreneurship
Jason Nazar, the co founder and CEO of Docstoc.com has a very informative video for entrepreneurs on YouTube called 21 Golden Rules of Entrepreneurship some of my favorites rules from the video are
-I'll see it when I believe it
As an entrepreneur you first need to believe in yourself and that can accomplish what you set out for otherwise how will you be able to sell your ideas to anyone else. You can make your entrepreneurial dreams reality if you truely believe in them.
-Sell yourself
As a marketing major and hairstylist this is so very important. People are investing in you the individual. So consider yourself a brand, make yourself preferred over the competition.
-What's you why
So many people i run into simply just want to be their own boss when the truth is they simply do not want to work. You have to have some sort of passion or motivation for what you are doing.
-Ideas don't matter execution does
People come up with great ideas every day. Many fail to make those ideas a reality and some that attempt their ideas with no clear plan to go about accomplishing those ideas
-I'll see it when I believe it
As an entrepreneur you first need to believe in yourself and that can accomplish what you set out for otherwise how will you be able to sell your ideas to anyone else. You can make your entrepreneurial dreams reality if you truely believe in them.
-Sell yourself
As a marketing major and hairstylist this is so very important. People are investing in you the individual. So consider yourself a brand, make yourself preferred over the competition.
-What's you why
So many people i run into simply just want to be their own boss when the truth is they simply do not want to work. You have to have some sort of passion or motivation for what you are doing.
-Ideas don't matter execution does
People come up with great ideas every day. Many fail to make those ideas a reality and some that attempt their ideas with no clear plan to go about accomplishing those ideas
Intrapreneuship
How many individuals posses an entrepreneurial spirit but do not necessarily desire owning their own business. Perhaps being an intrapreneur is the way for you to go. Intrapreneurship is a means to encourage employees assertive risk takers in developing their own ideas, innovations, and techniques into solid plans of action that create a profitable finished product.
Sir Richard Branson, Chairman and CEO of Virgin Group is a self-made multi-billionaire who believes that intrapreneuship plays an important role in building successful business. Sir Richard commented on the importance of Intrapreneurship in helping him build his brand at Virgin : “Virgin could never have grown into the group of more than 200 companies it is now, were it not for a steady stream of intrapreneurs who looked for and developed opportunities, often leading efforts that went against the grain.”
An Intrapreneur is simply an internal entrepreneur. These individuals do not need to be assigned the role within an organization they empower themselves and create the expanded role for themselves. Intrapreneships can be found within any organization be it large or small. Intrapreneurship does not mean you must come up with new products you can merely talks old concepts or products and develop new markets, increased efficiency or any aspect that will create growth for the company as well as the individual.
Are You An Entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur how would differentiate an individual who is an entrepreneur versus a business owner, or are they one in the same. There are clear differences between the two. Most business owner are content with having a stable income and being in control of their own time. Entrepreneurs however are forward thinkers who are willing to take risks, have specific goals they would like to achieve that will ultimately help grow their financial wealth.
Below is a chart that helps you identify some of the differences between being a business owner and and entrepreneur.
Objectives & Views
| Small Business Owner | Entrepreneur |
| 1. Primary Motivation | To Make a Living | To Make a Change and Impact |
| 2. Personal Financial Goal | Regular Income | Exit Value of Company |
| 3. Career Objective | Self-Employment | Financial Freedom |
| 4. Financing Strategy | SBA or Bank Loans | Investors |
| 5. Business Strategy | Creating More Sales | Providing Value |
| 6. View of Assets | Real Estate and Inventory | Employees & Customers |
| 7. Risk Taking Profile | Stability | Willing To Fail |
| 8. Employee Compensation | Market Rate or Below | Will Pay for Top Talent |
| 9. Work Environment | Extension of Owner’s Home | Fast Paced and Growth Focused |
| 10. Investment Profile | Main Investor/Owner of Company | Investor/Involvement in Different Businesses |
| 11. Daily Actions | Day to Day Manager | Strategy, Growth and Collaboration |
| 12. Work Style | Long-Term and Enjoys Repetitive Tasks | Short-Term and a Serial Innovator/Inventor |
Luanne Teoh 6-3-2011 http://www.biztechday.com/difference-between-an-entrepreneur-and-a-small-business-owner/
Those business owners that desire being and entrepreneur it can be achieved you just have develop a plan and execute it. There are so many individual that come up with great ideas daily but fail to turn those ideas into a business success.
A child from Marysville, Ohio took one of his ideas an ran with it.
Pictured below is Hart Main who started selling scented candles for men at the age of 13. Main's idea to start his business came to him when his sister was participating in a fundraiser that was selling candles that catered to girls. Main made a suggestion that "men scented" candles would be pretty neat idea. His business started with $100 dollars he earned from a paper route $200 investment from his parents.
Hart Main, founder of ManCans
Photos © natalie brasington
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220259#
http://www.cnbc.com/id/42497934/Inventions_By_Kids?slide=1
If reading about Hart Main's simple idea that he turned into a profitable business does inspire you to be more proactive in creating your own success read about other young business minds who saw needs that their creative businessminds could help solve.