Is Now the Right Time to Become An Entrepreneur?

A number of economic changes are magnifying the role of small business and creating the impetus for entrepreneurship.

In the past, many people perceived small business owners as shopkeepers ? the mom 'n pop shops. Today, with a status boost, they're entrepreneurs, and perceived to be on the leading edge.

But is now the right time to step up to the plate and take a swing at starting a small business? In the audio book, "Sound Advice on Small Business," author Jim Schell points to a number of economic changes creating momentum for entrepreneurs.

Continued downsizing in the Fortune 500 sector is one change, as corporate CEOs strive to keep earnings up to stock market expectations. "The corporate rat race has become more stressful to its inhabitants, and more tenuous," says Schell. "Today's Enrons and Worldcoms haven't done the image of the big guys any good, either."

Job creation is another economic change. "Corporate and government downsizing, combined with an influx of trained and motivated entrepreneurs is resulting in the vast majority of today's new jobs being created by the small business sector," says Schell.

He also points to changes in technology. "Today's technology is allowing little companies to do big things. Small businesses are now able to compete in industries that were once only open to the big guys."

With these and other economic changes sweeping the country, Schell believes now is the right time to become an entrepreneur. "My advice: Go to where the action is ? make a beeline for small business."

Jim Schell offers advice to entrepreneurs on managing a small business each week in the free audio newsletter from What's Working in Biz, http://www.whatsworking.biz/full_story.asp?ArtID=92

About The Author

Richard Cunningham is a principal of What's Working in Biz, http://www.whatsworking.biz, a publisher of business audiobooks and online audio programs on marketing, sales, and small business strategies.

In The News:


Shades of grey
The Economist
THE SMALL-BUSINESS association of Wenzhou, a city in Zhejiang province renowned for its scrappy entrepreneurialism, used to inhabit spartan premises in the city centre, but in March it graduated to plusher offices 15 floors up on the fringes of the ...


Win tickets to arts and tech festival NXNE in Toronto
New Scientist (blog)
As you might expect of the festival that is a spin-off of Texas's famous SXSW festival, NXNE (North By Northeast) is awash with hip music and films, as well as talks on the intersection of creativity, technology and entrepreneurialism.

and more »

Leaders explore help for entrepreneurialism
Bastrop Daily Enterprise
Winrock International Managing Director Annett Pagan, left, met with local and surrounding town officials to discuss strategic planning for economic development. Left from Pagan: City of Bastrop Mayor Betty Alford-Olive and Northeast La.


Intelius CEO Naveen Jain To Challenge The Value Of 'Experts' In Today's ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Jain is honored to share his unique vision for innovative entrepreneurialism at the US Chamber of Commerce's special annual event. Jain will join other successful entrepreneurs and leading pioneers in an exclusive live event series at 1:00 pm entitled ...

and more »

Microsoft Announces Worldwide Finalists for Imagine Cup 2012
The FINANCIAL
As the winners of regional, national and online Imagine Cup competitions, these students represent the future of technology innovation and entrepreneurialism. According to Microsoft , student teams from 75 countries have advanced to the finals with ...

and more »

Building Brand Britain
Huffington Post UK (blog)
British creativity and British entrepreneurialism are known around the world and that is something we should take enormous pride in. We've built some fantastic brands and for such a small island, we certainly punch way above our weight.


Asian Chamber of Commerce Celebrates the Spirit of Entrepreneurship at 22nd ...
The Paper Magazine
At a young age, Rippy was introduced to entrepreneurialism by her mother who founded a pharmaceutical company called ROMAT, which is now one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Kazakhstan today. Growing up as a latch-key child, Rippy managed to ...


Communitech HYPERDRIVE Joins Global Accelerator Network as Deadline for ...
MarketWatch (press release)
"HYPERDRIVE's accelerator platform, which takes a hands-on mentoring approach, not only meets GAN's rigorous standards, but infuses a sense of edgy entrepreneurialism into the high-tech industry, bringing excitement to the group as a whole.

and more »

Microsoft Announces Worldwide Finalists for Imagine Cup 2012
MarketWatch (press release)
As the winners of regional, national and online Imagine Cup competitions, these students represent the future of technology innovation and entrepreneurialism. Student teams from 75 countries have advanced to the finals with projects that tackle ...

and more »

The predictability of politics II: Social mobility and political ...
The Malaysian Insider
MAY 2 — Remaining focused on the developments in Malaysia and the countries around us, let us go back to the topic of predictability in politics, and consider its relation to social mobility and political entrepreneurialism.

and more »
Google News

Territory Limitations Policies for Franchised Companies

All franchised companies must have Territory Limitations to maintain the... Read More

Needs Versus Wants For Entrepreneurs

How often do the words "I need" come out of... Read More

Could a Book About Your Company be Worth $1.7 Billion? Building Value Through Publishing

"Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) to purchase Clayton Homes for $12.50... Read More

The Secrets to Becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur: JJK Secrets #19-21

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Welcome to the e-class on Creativity & Entrepreneurship:... Read More

How Much Risk is Necessary to Grow Your Business?

A business owner is thoroughly responsible for their own financial... Read More

How Entrepreneurs Make Money Selling Global Brands On and Off-line

Did you know that thousands of companies from all over... Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Public Domain Info, but Were Too Afraid to Ask!

What to Look Out For:Copyright - you absolutely must check... Read More

The Myth of Undercapitalization - Six Ways Entrepreneurs Achieve Success in Spite of Start-Up Money

This year more than 17 million people will become entrepreneurs,... Read More

The Fear Factor

I recently conducted a lil' survey asking my colleagues what... Read More

100% of Nothing

What would it be worth to you to receive a... Read More

Great Tips Of Choosing An Office

You have decided to strike it out on your own... Read More

Customers - Why Should They Buy From You?

There are a whole range of reasons why customers buy... Read More

Have You Been Thinking About Owning Your Own Business? Or Becoming An Entrepreneur? Part 1

Almost every day, I talk with people who want to... Read More

How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas

Would you like to find the key that unlocks the... Read More

Entrepreneurship: What does it REALLY mean?

Introduction:In a world where ideas drive economies, it is no... Read More

Reducing the Stress of Being an Entrepreneur

Starting and running your own business can be exciting and... Read More

Achievements Outweigh Education and Experience

Q: When it comes to succeeding in business, which do... Read More

An Entrepreneurs Biggest Cost

When launching a new product or company, an entrepreneur must... Read More

Face The Fear, Ladies

Okay, I'll begin by telling you that I've been divorced... Read More

Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions

The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't... Read More

Business Planning Overview

The successful entrepreneur is generally more inclined, once a business... Read More

Envisioneering

It never ceases to amaze me. Almost everyone peers into... Read More

The Risks of Entrepreneurship

The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that... Read More

Selecting a Venture

The basic rule is simple: "Find a market need and... Read More

Before the Business Plan

Purveyors of conventional wisdom would have you believe that the... Read More