Business Beat: Don’t Be Afraid to Let Your Inner Entrepreneur Shine

The value of entrepreneurship is much more than dollars and cents. While we often focus on the revenue generation of a business as a guiding marker of success, there are many added benefits to the practice of entrepreneurship than cash alone. The advantages of entrepreneurship cross over cultures, demographics and financial status. The ability to set one’s own schedule and life path combined with the opportunity to create a career that fits individual passion and skills makes for an exciting endeavour and a rich learning journey.

Still, many people worry that entrepreneurship is not for them. There are countless checklists focused on determining individual fit as an entrepreneur and boundless articles on the number of startups that fail. An argument could me made though, that entrepreneurship is innate in all of us and if supported – anyone can become an entrepreneur (or entrepreneurial at the very least).

The word “entrepreneur” brings notions of grandeur and visuals of business magnate Steve Jobs, or maybe even the successful business owner in downtown Medicine Hat. However not often enough do we think about the small startup that just made a couple thousand dollars at a local farmers’ market. Still, our examples of entrepreneurs likely share a very similar skill set.

Research shows that successful entrepreneurs – no matter their income level – share prowess with some very important personal skills. Critical thinking, confidence, problem solving, financial literacy, collaboration, creativity and most importantly, grit seem to have the most effect on not only developing a startup and running a business but building a career and a life (and well, contributing to society and community).

These important skills aren’t always visible on the surface however can be fostered, reinforced and taught. Of course, the process of becoming an entrepreneur involves risk taking, hard work and is often frustrating. It’s all of these undertakings though, that build character, stretches thinking and exposes the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in all of us.

There are only a few proven ways to successfully change a life path, build a community, improve an economy, grow a workforce and build great citizens. Entrepreneurship is one worth exploring, especially with the many supports, education and mentorship available in our community.

It’s easier than you think to let your inner entrepreneur shine! Give it a try and you’ll be amazed at how much you will learn, grow and inspire.

The MHC Entrepreneur Development Centre helps student and alumni bring their entrepreneurship dreams to life. We offer one-on-one coaching, training, mentorship and access to a diverse network of startup funding. To connect into our network email edc@mhc.ab.ca or call 403-502-8433.

Christie Wilson is an entrepreneur outreach coordinator at Medicine Hat College and the APEX