Since 2001, we've posted 20,628 different business opportunities and ideas, so you're sure to find something here to inspire you!
Don’t Bank On Self-Employment
If the news is any indicator then entrepreneurship among people under 18 is on the rise. However, The Independent feels that it is all a little premature.
The benefits of youth entrepreneurship are obvious. However, the notion of entrepreneurship being the key to solving the youth employment crisis is certainly exaggerated. Indeed, there are at least three important reasons for caution:
- Self-employment is by definition risky. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before creating the businesses that finally proved sustainable.
- Self-employment is mostly necessity-driven in developing countries. In Latin America, for example, over 90 percent of the young entrepreneurs had no other choice. The people concerned normally dropped out of school early and then engaged in very basic economic activities with low productivity, such as retail commerce. Most of them belonged to the two poorest income quintiles and would have preferred other employment opportunities.
- Running a business of one’s own requires particular skills (like keeping accounts) and attitudes (like risk awareness). Even practitioners who promote youth entrepreneurship say the share of potential entrepreneurs is only about 20 percent of any given population.
What are your thoughts?
Photo by SMN
Related Businesses in the Directory
Related Posts
Related Resources
Nacho on October 1st, 2010 10:10 pm
But every productive employment in the private sector – unlike the wasteful profligacy of the public sector – was created by an entrepreneur who started the business that created the job. Only one in a hundred thousand start-up businesses has to grow to create enough jobs for those of an employee mentality. Being an employee is also risky (How many jobs were lost at Kodak, Enron or Royal Bank of Scotland etc.) At least the entrepreneur has control over his own risks.
Douglas Watkins on October 2nd, 2010 9:34 am
I have been an entrepreneur for over 30 years. And if I could do it all over again I would take a course in accounting first.
Dustin Andrews on October 5th, 2010 6:41 pm
I bought a business about four years ago, I would recommend that any one looking to start a business gather as much information about the field as possible and find ways to be competitive with the “bigger guys” like using temp jobs when your busy etc. Just remember to find people to back you because you will fall on hard times and the bill collectors do not recognize that your having a hard time.
C.Goldston on October 6th, 2010 1:31 pm
The way today’s economy is going, you can’t depend on a regular “9 to 5″ either. I would rather take my chance on myself and get paid what I am worth. Those of us that are working for other companies are just one paycheck away from “broke”. I wold rather be broke working for my self.
C. Goldston on October 7th, 2010 6:03 pm
There are so many Biz Opportunities available and many successful business owners. I think it is worth it to at least take a chance. I have found an opportunity unlike anything I have seen so far and I am having fun working this business. Not often do you find a company that is “truly willing to help you succeed. The 9 to 5 just isn’t worth the stress and aggrevation anymore. By the way, that is my response above but I entered my business link wrong…I do apologize!
Leave a Reply