What Does Entrepreneurship Mean to You?

Being an entrepreneur is a source of pride. It also evidences an individual with a huge amount of discipline and focus to be able to build a business a lot of times from just an idea. It is the ambition of an entrepreneur that built the most profitable and successful companies. The only issue is that the word entrepreneurship can often vary from person to person.

1) Building a Personal Brand

We are all a bit conditioned to create illusions about what entrepreneurship really is or isn’t – what the process can be or won’t be, and what will happen when we make the jump ourselves. “Entrepreneurship” is an idea, but the concept as imagined has true polarity – simply quitting a job does not put you towards success. For me, entrepreneurship started long before I made the jump to work for myself. It started when I first launched by personal blog, tweeted, and built value in myself online. Entrepreneurship is about building that personal brand where the perceived equity in our abilities builds a client base.

Thanks to Ross Hudgens, Siege Media!

2) Freedom, Success, and Happiness

I was diagnosed in 1st grade with having ADD in 1967. It was new and I was very active, hyperactive and honestly, I was the first child and I started to think my first name was NO. Everything I did growing up was wrong. What entrepreneurship means to be is that everything I do isn't wrong, although sometimes it is. It means that I have been given a gift of creativity, of insight and leadership that has allowed me to choose my own path. I have failed and I have picked myself up. I have been there for my three children and although I work a lot, I have been able to follow my passions. Entrepreneurship is a door that is always opening and the talent to be able to see the new opportunities. Entrepreneurship to me = means freedom, success, and happiness.

Thanks to David Goldstein, TeamBonding!

3) Serving People in Need

Entrepreneurship means hyperfocusing my greatest gifts to serve people who need exactly what I uniquely offer. I don't have to operate outside of my strengths to meet a job requirement, nor do I have to serve customers whom I am certain I will never satisfy. It also affords me the time freedom to work hard and make sacrifices when I choose so that I can take time off and invest in my personal life when it matters most. In short, entrepreneurship is an expression of our greatness as individuals.

Thanks to Amber Hurdle, Amber Hurdle Coaching & Training!

4) Standing out with a Vision

Entrepreneurship is the act of taking disparate parts and pieces and being willing to stand out in front with a vision to make something better. It is the belief that change starts with you and then taking that belief and making it a reality. Entrepreneurship is not being afraid to take chances, fight conventional wisdom, be disruptive in a stagnant environment, and most importantly being willing to fail. Entrepreneurs are the breed that is willing to put their money where their mouth is. They are the ones that don't just complain about a problem, but are constantly looking for a solution. It doesn't necessarily mean they all start companies. It is a philosophy that can be embraced in any environment to affect change and to make the world a better place by working hard and doing something different, creative, and innovative.

Thanks to Sam Coyl, Netrepid!

5) A State of Mind and Spirit

Entrepreneurship is a state of mind and spirit. I believe you can find entrepreneurs that own their own businesses, that are stay at home moms or that work for someone else. Entrepreneurship is a trait that many people share, but few act on it. I believe entrepreneurship has to do with independence, stubbornness, long term vision, execution, perseverance and stamina. I've seen great people that share these characteristics and hold a position within a corporation, I consider them entrepreneurs. I work next to 80 other entrepreneurs in one of the largest incubators in the world, they are all creators, markers and movers. And I have girlfriends that have married and have children, and they run their households with more perseverance and stamina than any of us will ever have.

Thanks to Ana Caracaleanu, Luevo!

6) Helping a Wider Community

To me, entrepreneurship is a way to build something from scratch that helps a wider community. I decided to start my company because of the experiences I had working with job candidates and my coworkers. There are so many unhappy people out there and The Love Your Job Project provided me with the opportunity to help those people. I can live a happier life helping other people live a happier life. It's a win-win scenario and something that I am proud of and dedicated to every single day.

Thanks to Nina Parr, The Love Your Job Project!

7) All About Freedom

Entrepreneurship today is about freedom– Aside from building my passion, a light bulb moment in time changed my life forever. I’ve gone from 15 years of helping others build their dreams to a life finally dedicated to building my own. My heart and mind are in this project every waking moment. I feel like I’m living the American Dream—I’ve given birth to an invention. I’ve built a brand and a company and thousands of people are using the service all over the world. It’s the most rewarding feeling. Entrepreneurs are the new rock stars… innovators and game changers revolutionizing our world.

Thanks to Lori Cheek, Cheekd!

8) Entrepreneurship is a Journey

To me, entrepreneurship is a journey. It begins with an idea and ends with the discovery of new ways to benefit others and fulfill your own professional and personal goals. Like any journey in life, an important part of entrepreneurship is failure. Figuring out what doesn't work, improving existing plans or developing new ones are talents all entrepreneurs must have or develop. Plans will fail and there will be bumps in the road; but as an entrepreneur, it's up to you to find a solution. An entrepreneur's journey is a team effort. It takes a village to be an entrepreneur. Whether your village is comprised of strategic partners, colleagues, friends or family, they are the people who support you through the failures and help celebrate your successes. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Entrepreneurship to me is gratitude for being able to blaze my own path throughout my journey and share my good fortune and expertise with others whenever and wherever I can.

Thanks to Debbie Goetz, Debbie Goetz Media Connections, LLC!

9) It's a Way of Life

Entrepreneurship first and foremost is a way of life. It's not a job or a career choice. It's a wholly intrinsic calling and desire. Regardless of how one gets into the world of entrepreneurship, the one consistent is that you readily accept that your life will be different. You will sleep less, stress more, and work a wildly inconsistent schedule that will be much more ambiguous and fluid. You will face struggles others do not face in their careers. Others will question your sanity and tell you to get a real job. But they don't understand. They can't possibly understand how one can embrace chaos, a lack of sleep, and above all, the struggle. We can't explain it, and we shouldn't try, because we are lonely entrepreneurs, and we love it.

Thanks to Seth A. Knapp, Chitter!

10) Taking Financial and Strategic Risks

Entrepreneurship means taking the financial and strategic risks required to stand apart from your competitors and receive the financial rewards in return. Venturing out to start your own business can take many forms, but at its core is your ability to weigh the risks and find a way to do something better than the existing competition. The key to success in entrepreneurship is developing your own strategy, rather than listening to the crowds, and delivering value to your customers so they that will continue to come back to you for your services or products.

Thanks to Spencer Haws, Long Tail Pro!

11) Finding Something You're Passionate About

There are so many facets to being an entrepreneur as the word can be defined so many ways. For me it's all about finding something you are passion about and love to do. That's always the first key step. Once you heart is in the business you become better every day and it feels less about work. There are millions of “wantrepreneurs” and few true entrepreneurs. Everyone has ideas on a daily basis but few are willing to take the leap and go after the elusive freedom and control over our own lives and decisions. Entrepreneurs also have a different mindset. We see opportunities everywhere. I've been called an “opportunist” my whole life. Truly putting myself in a mind set to give up immediate gratification and take the risk for long term success and fulfillment is something very few people can do.

Thanks to Dean McNeely, BlueGrace Houston!

12) It's about More than Creating a Successful Business

Entrepreneurship is something that runs in my bloodline. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, my life’s destiny was determined early on. Although I spent 15 years working as a top level executive at one of the biggest public relations agencies in the world, I knew I would eventually start my own company. Entrepreneurship is more than creating a successful business, which I was lucky enough to do with both of my companies, NV Media Inc. and CupidsPulse.com. Being my own boss means I am able to create my own schedule and balance both my personal and professional life with ease. Both of my businesses encompass two of my passions: public relations and writing. I get to represent authors and reality stars through my work at NV Media Inc. and help women find The One as a relationship expert and through CupidsPulse.com. Additionally, as an entrepreneur, I love to mentor former colleagues, friends, and interns and help them make their own way in the business world. Becoming an entrepreneur has been the most rewarding career — both personally and professionally.

Thanks to Lori Bizzoco, Cupid's Pulse!

How would you define entrepreneurship? What does it mean to you #Entrepreneur. We're putting a story together and would love to get your definition.

A photo posted by CEO Blog Nation : I am CEO (@ceoblognation) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:21am PST