What is a Rural Entrepreneur?
Recently I asked friends from across the country what word(s) best described someone who was an entrepreneur. Some were entrepreneurs themselves and others were not. I targeted people with rural backgrounds or connections to rural areas to see if there might be any differences from the normal buzz words associated with entrepreneurs. It was an interesting mix of words and contained some new ones I might not have associated with an entrepreneur. Here are some thoughts on each of the words and exactly how they tie into being an entrepreneur.
1. Risk-taker – Entrepreneurs are always willing to take that step off the cliff to achieve their dreams. They will look at all the angles to protect themselves as best they can, but ultimately they will take the leap. This is especially true in rural areas as you have distance, population and connectivity to overcome.
2. Innovative – Not everyone is going to invent the next Apple, but in every way entrepreneurs are innovative in thinking and thought process and not held back by “it can’t be done” thinking.
3. Independent – Entrepreneurs like making the decisions, having flexibility and setting the rules.
4. Resourceful – Entrepreneurs are like my Dad – give him some baling wire and he could fix anything on the ranch. Today it might be more closely associated with using duct tape, but you get the picture. Entrepreneurs find a way and a solution for what they need.
5. Creative – Not necessarily an artist, musician or actor, but more in the realm of “outside the box” thinkers, entrepreneurs always have a vision in their minds.
6. Free-thinker – According to Wikipedia – “a person who forms opinions on the basis of reason, independent of authority or tradition,… ” yep that’s an entrepreneur.
7. Ambassador – This one was a little different, but ambassadors do step out and help others and serve as messengers of that big unknown world of entrepreneurship.