Entrepreneurship 20 years ago
20 years ago I was in a college entrepreneurship club with 200 members.
Only 2 people out of 200 actually had a business:
- Me (ran a rave equipment drop shipping site).
- Dude who patented a roofing device inspired from his family’s business.
Since then entrepreneurship has boomed, and I think a few things have changed:
1.) It was VERY taboo and weird to openly speak about money.
It was common courtesy to NOT ask people about money or finances…and you rarely heard people openly discuss their personal finances.
I used to openly list my finances on my first blog NevBlog.com, and this was considered an insane move.
Nowadays people openly say on their Twitter profile “I sold a company for $10.5m.”
So it's cool to see people more open about money, so more people can learn how to make it.
2.) Owning a business was HARD, cost a lot of money, and little information was available.
Even a website cost a lot of money in hosting/bandwidth. Just owning a computer cost thousands of dollars.
Nowadays you can run a huge website or social following from a phone, essentially for free.
3.) Owning a business wasn’t cool. It was looked upon as an odd and un-safe thing to do.
Entrepreneurship was starting to become slightly cooler, but it was investment bankers and finance people that were looked upon with admiration, not entrepreneurs.
That’s changed.
It's neat to see in 1 generation "starting a business" go from a fringe/weird activity to a mainstream thing possible for anyone!
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Positive Aspects
The blog post takes a nostalgic yet insightful look at how entrepreneurship has evolved over the past two decades. It captures the essence of how societal perceptions and technological advancements have reshaped the entrepreneurial landscape. The use of personal anecdotes, such as the mention of a rave equipment drop shipping site, makes the content relatable and engaging. It effectively highlights the shift from entrepreneurship being a niche, often frowned upon endeavor, to a widely embraced career path.
Key Takeaways
- Openness About Finances: Once considered taboo, discussing personal and business finances openly is now commonplace, helping more people learn and succeed.
- Reduced Barriers to Entry: Technological advancements have lowered the cost and complexity of starting a business, making entrepreneurship accessible to more people.
- Cultural Shift: Entrepreneurship has transitioned from being seen as risky and odd to a respected and mainstream career choice.
Additional Insights
- The Role of Technology: Remember the days of dial-up internet and clunky desktops? Starting a business back then meant hefty investments just to get online. Now, thanks to smartphones and social media, anyone can build a business empire from their couch. It's like having a magic wand (or phone) that opens up a world of possibilities.
- Changing Mindsets: The cultural shift towards accepting entrepreneurship mirrors broader changes in societal values, such as the increasing importance placed on innovation and creativity. It's like we've all become a little more open-minded and adventurous, willing to take calculated risks for the sake of passion and potential prosperity.
- Personal Anecdotes Add Flavor: Sharing personal stories, like running a rave equipment drop shipping site or patenting a roofing device, adds authenticity and encourages budding entrepreneurs to reflect on their own unique paths. After all, every great business starts with a curious mind and a dash of courage!
