Entrepreneurial Inspiration
Entrepreneurship has quite the buzz these days. Besides the potential personal benefits, new business growth is also seen as a force that will contribute to a stronger economy. The cover story of a recent “Inc.” magazine sums up the excitement: “Bring on the Entrepreneurs! Our highly practical, eminently doable, totally reasonable plan to revitalize the American dream and create thousands (upon thousands) of new companies and millions of new jobs.” Sounds great! But where to start? Business magazines and the most sought-after business books found both on the library shelves and online can get the entrepreneurial juices flowing.
The last few years has seen fresh books providing inspiration and encouragement to would-be entrepreneurs. Younger entrepreneurs see starting a business as a way to break free from traditional career norms. Bloggers-turned-authors like Timothy Ferriss and Chris Guillebeau are motivating people in their 20s and 30s to increase their income, while freeing up more time to do what they love, by starting a business.
Though Seth Godin is best known for "Purple Cow," his latest book, "Linchpin," was just named one of the Best Entrepreneurship Books of 2010 on About.com's "Mitchell's Entrepreneurs Blog." Steven Johnson’s "Where Good Ideas Come From: The natural history of innovation for inspiration" is an additional source for creative ideas.
The Baby Boomer generation is another group seeking personal and financial fulfillment through entrepreneurship. The Kauffman Foundation highlights that in 2009, adults aged 55-64 continued a two-year upward trend for entrepreneurial activity. New books such as "BoomerPreneurs" provide targeted advice to this group.
For more inspiration, try these resources:
On The Web
http://springwise.com/
Their 8,000 contributors are constantly scanning the globe for up and coming business ideas.
http://www.sba.gov/50plusentrepreneur/
Targeted advice for the 50+ age group, direct from the SBA.
http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/
From Entrepreneur Magazine, this site gives specific advice for women entrepreneurs.
http://ecopreneurist.com/
Check out this site for the latest news on green and sustainable businesses and practices.
Articles
“Change: Lessons on What’s Next,” Entrepreneur, 12/10, p. 28.
Entrepreneur explores the innovation behind three companies - Foursquare, Square and Zappos.
“Dream Companies,” Inc., 10/10, p. 64.
How to launch your dream company. Includes profiles of several successful start-ups, including an artisan ice cream truck business and a creator of a children’s book application.
Books, audiobooks, CDs, e-books and e-audiobooks
"32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business" by Earvin "Magic" Johnson, 2008.
"Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur" by Richard Branson, 2008.
"Crush it! : Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion" by Gary Vaynerchuk, 2009.
"The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business" by Steven D. Strauss, 2008.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=1193&lid=46