“Every entrepreneur has the power to change lives as he/she changes his/her own life. Its only the question of stepping up and leading! ”
As we all keep our eye on economic indicators, it’s easiest to focus on our local, rural area and market. But sometimes, it’s also important to think about what’s happening in other parts of the world. I was led to an article today on entrepreneurship, written by a blogger in Bangalore, India:
“I often interact with young people in cities who tell me that they would like to be entrepreneurs but do not know if there is a need to start up. I can vouch that there is a need for more entrepreneurs. Imagine if more people came down to the villages and set up businesses/industries. They can be in the field of agriculture, design and absolutely any other field. Imagine if they were socially conscious businesses. You could actually change the world!!!!(no exaggeration)”
“Every entrepreneur has the power to change lives as he/she changes his/her own life. Its only the question of stepping up and leading! ”
Take a quick read of ‘We Need More Entrepreneurs‘ and consider a truly universal theme: how to improve our lives and businesses for the benefit of our families and communities.
A University of Nebraska sociologist has found that the decreasing rural population of Nebraska is changing the way business is conducted in the state.
Randy Cantrell with the Nebraska University Rural Initiative, reports that in most rural counties of Nebraska self-employment accounts for 18 to 30 percent of jobs and pretty much all job growth.
His findings made me wonder how Nebraska compared with other states:
Cantrell thinks self-employment is on the rise in rural Nebraska. But he hasn’t been able to verify the details through his research, namely an annual rural poll that surveys rural residents on well-being, policy and work issues. He says the rural poll might be asking the wrong question.
In the past, people have been asked whether they have a business. Cantrell said that question may leave out those who still get a paycheck from an employer but who technically are private contractors. He used the example of inbound telemarketers, who he thinks can rightfully assert that they have a business.
As rural areas continue to see their populations fall, Cantrell said, employers may feel more pressure to shift away from the traditional way of doing business and rely on private contractors.
“There’s still a demand for service,” he said, “but not enough to support a business of several employees.”
This study also reported a continued decline in those age 20 and younger living in rural areas. That age group has declined in all but seven Nebraska counties, with one (Cherry County) experiencing a 20 percent drop in the 20 and under age group from 2000 to 2007.
How does your State and rural area compare to these statistics from Nebraska?
And what impact does changing population and employment statistics have for you and your business?
As more people in rural America find themselves laid off or working reduced hours, the idea of starting a small rural business or expanding the one you already have is something to consider. Here are several online resources to help you think things through.
In Advice for the Accidental Entrepreneur, Dr. Jeff Cornwall defines who ‘accidental entrepreneurs’ are and the types of businesses they often create:
The recession is creating many “accidental entrepreneurs” — people who suddenly find themselves out of work with no viable option except to make it on their own through self-employment or starting a small business.
A question I am frequently asked these days is, “What kind of business can I possibly start?”
The best business opportunities come from things people already know something about. They come from our work experiences, our hobbies, or our everyday lives. Find something from your experiences that is also a need for others.
How passionate do you need to be about your new business? Take a look atWhy Passion is Overrated: The Secret Truth to Creating a Successful Business.
To give us a ‘pep talk’ with an historical twist, The Silver Lining of Economic Downturns provides a short list of innovations that entrepreneurs introduced during tough times, providing it can be done!
And although it can be a different and difficult time to launch a new product, there are some actions you take to improve your chances of being successful, provided in Starting Up: Four Ways to Get Customers to Buy Your New Product.
What kinds of rural business start ups are you seeing in your town?
And for all of you city folk trying to get away from it all and make your way to our neck of the woods, you’ve can get some specific guidance about starting a rural business at Goodbye, City Life blog.
Starting a new business during a recession could be perfect timing, if you listen to this podcast by David Lester of the publishing company Crimson in the UK.
Or if you want to expand your rural business with a new product or service, perhaps Evaluating the Rural Enterprise from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service will provide just the help you need.
Which marketing methods might work better than others in 2009 for your new business? Take a look here to see some common sense suggestions.
The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We’re born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel, and experience. It is developed, nurtured, and given space to flourish or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and dies.
Michael Gerber
