Entrepreneur or Social Entrepreneur

My study choice is based on desire, to help myself and others who have a similar past and background.

Wanting to assist their transition into the world, while maintaining their sobriety and becoming responsible citizens. I am interested in the group that calls themselves entrepreneurs and what that really means? After all I see a growing problem; economically and socially involving people with substance abuse issues and criminal backgrounds. I believe that I can make a difference in their lives.Looking for direction and wanting to set my vision and plan into action, I need to know what type of entrepreneurial status I would be seeking; Entrepreneur or Social Entrepreneur? Methodology “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge, fitter for execution than for counsel, and fitter for new projects than for settled business.

” (Bacon, 1612) “Young men are fitter to invent than to judge, fitter for execution than for counsel, and fitter for new projects than for settled business. ” (Bacon, 1612)I have a vision and would like to bring it into reality, so the group that calls themselves entrepreneurs is the topic for this ethnography essay. I began finding answers when I searched out the campus sub-culture Change Maker, where the motto is “Find the Entrepreneur in you” (entrepreneurship. asu.

edu). I interviewed 3 students who are a part of that sub-culture and 1 person outside the college campus, who has started-up 5 businesses of his own. Secondary research was found through Google, the University Library, and an essay written by Francis Bacon.Differences of Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur There are more similarities, than differences between entrepreneur and social entrepreneur. Professor Howard Stevenson of the Harvard Business School coined the definition of entrepreneurship as, “The process by which individuals – either on their own or inside organizations – pursue opportunities without regard to the resources they currently control,” Stevens (1983).

For example: Entrepreneurs have an ability to see opportunity.Often times they see a need for change in a product or service that they feel can be improved upon, or a product or service that needs to be developed. They are passionate about their beliefs, developing their ideas and pursuing them with the willingness to bear any risks. The funding is out there for both types of Entrepreneurs.

There are similar characteristics that seem to be part of the make-up for both types of entrepreneurs: passion, innovation, and fearlessness. Entrepreneurial start-ups are often out of the desire to make a difference.It can be for financial gain or social change. Depending on what type of entrepreneur? According to Martin and Osberg, there’s a definite difference in Social Entrepreneurs. It is the potential for lasting transformation in society that benefits these types of entrepreneurial enterprises and has opened up doors for outside funding (Martin & Osberg, Spring 2007).

Social entrepreneurship is vital to the makeup of society where entrepreneurship is vital for the makeup of the economy.In a world where the economy is failing, we are relying more and more on finding new ways and ideas on how to make a living and bring in jobs and sustainability for others. The sub-culture “Change Makers” here on campus is focusing young minds to think outside-the-box, in order to help bring about social change. Change Maker Central On the ASU-Polytechnic campus there’s a sub-culture called “Change Makers,” where the main focus is not the business industry but that of non-profit organizations.

The University is helping to develop Social Entrepreneurs. The magic word here is change; these kids want to make a difference.They see neglect or a need and want to bring their ideas to the forefront helping organizations like: •Peace Corps •Teach for America •America Corps I interviewed three students that are involved with Change Makers. They are all first generation college students and passionate about their education. Christina said it best, “…being a part of something bigger than their selves” (Hill, 2013).

Briana sees the need for change and says, “To be a change maker means to be the change you want to see in the world,” that’s a mixture of Gandhi and Briana and a good quote (Delbian, 2013).After all, this entrepreneurial sub-culture, “Change Maker Central, was designed to inspire, catalyze and sustain student-driven social change” (changemaker. asu. edu).

It promotes growth through networks of student volunteers, student entrepreneurs, and socially engaged students. There are incentives that help to inspire possible up-coming entrepreneurial minds for example; the “Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative” it provides up to $20,000. 00 in funding to teams of students from all university disciplines. Helping to develop their ideas and launch into a viable business.To become aware of needed change. Finding something they are passionate about, and through innovative thinking processes, new and fresh ideas blossom into possibly profitable social entrepreneurial adventures.

To paraphrase Uhlig, D. ; Social Entrepreneurs can also be for profit, however they are usually under non-profit for tax purpose and often times donate their profit to the causes they support (Uhlig, 2013). Entrepreneurial Characteristics at Work One of the students I interviewed is not only an up-starting social entrepreneur but he is also a social activist.His name is Johnathan, a non-traditional college student in his junior year at ASU-Polytechnics campus. Johnathan is very active in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community here on campus and across the nation. He was recently interviewed in an article by Echo Magazine, “Campus Conflict” (Gullickson, 2013).

Johnathan is very passionate about his beliefs. He is very active, applying innovative methods towards educating society on a whole regarding LGBT citizens of the world. He founded “Job district 202” for LGBT youth in Minnesota.For example: he is working on ideas for opening a foundation in his mother’s name called the,” Maria Evett Sherman Foundation” for adult-education.

Johnathan is full of all kinds of great Social Entrepreneurial visions. He is also working on a project called “Tiny Houses” helping the homeless. Johnathan is fearless he has grown up in less than desirable conditions, leaving home at the age of 16. Surviving the hardship of his sexuality differences, and the discrimination against him.

He is fearless and an inspiration to me and others.Johnathan says “Change is inevitable-be a part of it” (Sherman, 2013). Speaking with Briana, Christina, and Johnathan during a group interview, I found 3 innovative, creative, passionate, dedicated, hardworking and up-and-coming brilliant “Social Entrepreneurs. “ Just like me, their interested in bring about change and making a difference in this world we live in.

I asked them if they thought I would be a good candidate to join the sub-culture group called Change Makers? They all said yes. Entrepreneurs Seem to be Fearless Fear is like a poison to everyone.A person wanting to start a business cannot dwell on the negatives’ and must be able to overcome obstacles that can possibly paralyze their progress. They must be able to learn from their mistakes regroup and move forward. Being an entrepreneur means taking risks and opening yourself up to skepticism and Nay-Sayers. It is important to believe in your ideas and know that you can accomplish them providing you are willing to carry through; from the beginning to the end.

Entrepreneurs seem to take adversity and turn it to their benefit by correcting and making the necessary changes to accomplish their goals.They are not afraid of failure and being passionate in their ideas and belief in their product or services they want to offer; not quitting at the first signs of difficulty. For example, Roberto who has started up 5 businesses beginning in 1979 with a comic book shop called “Super Hero Universe. ” He then opened a print shop in combination with his comic book store under the SEED Program, allowing high school students to come into the print shop and learn a trade for school credit. He has since sold the Super Hero Universe (still in operation today).The print shop closed when they stopped the SEED Program.

Roberto says… “If you’re afraid to fail you act to cautious and that affects your decision making; if you fail just move on to something else” (Rivera, 2013). Roberto is now semi-retired and traveling across the United States on sabbatical. Pursuing his passion for travel and awaiting his next business start-up. I see that, Roberto likes being his own boss; he likes to call the shots. . In Closing I would like to first say… this was a very interesting topic to do an ethnography essay on.

I have learned a great deal about what an entrepreneur is and the qualities and characteristics that make an entrepreneur. I do have a passion and a plan, now I have direction. I believe if my project gets started it would put me in the group called Social Entrepreneur. I would like to thank all who participated in my interviews: Briana, Christina, Johnathan, and Roberto. Special thanks to my Professor and my peers. “Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.

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