Entrepreneur T-Shirt Story: Definition of Entrepreneur

We created the Entrepreneur t-shirt with the goal that you could be your own billboard, sparking the curiosity of others when they see you to ask what you do. So far, it has been quite effective. Sabina has been engaged in conversation in her Brooklyn gym, and I've just had a story I wanted to share.

While in Cleveland on a mini-break to "the country" from NYC, I stopped in a Starbucks to grab some coffee beans and the free cup of coffee that comes with that. I wore my Entrepreneur t-shirt, as I was continuing on to tennis and yardwork that afternoon. An older grandfather type was behind me in line. He saw my shirt and asked:

"Are you an entrepreneur?" to which I responded "Yes, I have a design company that designs and develops websites, and I have an entrepreneurs agency with a community twist called Collective-E that serves entrepreneurs by helping them with website, PR and business strategy services, and acts as a marketing platform for them." Then I clarified to the barrista which flavor of coffee cake I wanted.

He continued in his questioning: "Do you know the definition of an entrepreneur?" to which I really didn't off the top of my head...reciting definitions has never been my strong suit. However, I don't think that the world agrees on this definition, based on my earlier encounters with self-declared non-entrepreneurs (who, like it or not, run their own businesses). Instead of giving my definition of an entrepreneur, I asked him what his was, since people seem to define it in different ways. He proceeded to recite to me a very neat and tidy definition, and concluded with: "But that is the definition of Peter Drucker, who invented the word 'entrepreneur.' You DO know who Peter Drucker is don't you?"

He must have sensed that I did not immediately jump at the mention of this name, so I admitted: "You know, I didn't know I was an entrepreneur until a couple of years ago, when I just kept making and selling things. That's my approach to entrepreneurship." Then he asked: "Where did you learn to become an entrepreneur?" So that all of you know, I majored in Communications in Media and was one class shy of a Creative Writing minor from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. But this was not my answer. My answer was this:

"Life! I have to buy this Starbucks somehow!" to which he said, "That's right! Good luck!" I had so much more to that answer, but I've never been very fast at quips. I wanted to add on: "I identify and solve problems and deliver results that people want." Then I left to sugar and cream my coffee. He was very into this topic!

My take-away was twofold:
1. This shirt is a conversation starter. And we have more t-shirts for Freelancers and Consultants.

2. One does not have to study entrepreneurism to be a successful entrepreneur. In fact, while I was in college, they were just building the Tate Center of Entrepreneurship, so it was not a possibility for me to formally study it there, and I had no intention of "studying business" in a business major. I was too busy selling ads for the school newspaper, being the editor in chief of the literary magazine, directing a play, working at a French cafe - not to mention schoolwork! I was more focused on the things I wished to do and accomplish then on studying a concept. Not that one shouldn't go to school for business or entrepreneurship or anything that interests them or to sharpen skills. I just think that not doing these things for whatever reason - choice or circumstance - should not be a barrier to you pursuing what it is you want. If you have the vision, go for it!

At the end of the day, if we can deliver a product that people want, that is the study of entrepreneurship.