Whether it’s someone starting a clothing line or a record company or someone trying to become a professional photographer, rapper or singer, it’s known that the younger generation is producing, or trying to produce, more entrepreneurs than ever.
Just a couple decades ago, the ideal plan for a young adult was to graduate from high school, go to a university, find a decent job and build a career over time.
In 2013, people want to create things and be in charge of a company all before they hit 20.
Now, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s both.
It’s important to understand the vast meaning of the term “entrepreneur.” The title has always been commonly used to refer to someone in the business field (like someone who started their own cupcake business or created a new hairspray). But what it comes down to is anyone who is able to create something completely on their own, without regulation or restrictions.
This is probably the second most creative and rebellious generation yet — coming in first are the teens of the '70s (of course). However, these young moguls are showing the world just how imaginative and resourceful they can be.
Take Ebony Oshunrinde for example, a 16-year-old girl who produced a song for Jay-Z. Or Pro Era, a group of rappers who became rich and famous while they were still in high school. Or even Vashtie Kola, a New York-based artist who owns her own clothing line, Violette, and has also directed a music video for Justin Bieber.
Without a doubt, these entrepreneurs are heroes for some people who dream about doing similar things.
But that’s where the problem lies, trying to start from the bottom and do everything on your own in hopes of success. There’s limited space for people like this.
If I had a nickel for every time someone told me to listen to their mixtape because they’re “really the next big thing, man”… Well, let’s just say my student loans would be non-existent.
Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s easy to look at people like Oshunrinde or Vashtie and begin to have that if-they-can-do-it-so-can-I attitude. And honestly, that’s a good way to look at it. But we often forget the hard work they put into their craft, the connections they had to make and the simple luck they had in getting "discovered."
But in reality, there is only thing that separates people who have a tangible chance of success in entrepreneurship from people who should stick to their day job: turning thoughts to actions.
Reach the reporter at knphill3@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @kayla_soul
