MODULE 8

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

“It’s nice to be your own boss”

• What is entrepreneurship and who are entrepreneurs?

• What should we know about small business, and how can you start one?

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurs MODULE GUIDE 8.1

Entrepreneurs are risk takers that spot and pursue opportunities.

Entrepreneurs often share similar personal characteristics.

Women and minority entrepreneurs are growing in numbers.

Social entrepreneurs seek novel solutions to social problems.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs Risk takers that spot and pursue opportunities

Entrepreneurship Dynamic, risk-taking, creative, growth-oriented

behavior. Necessity-based Entrepreneurship

People starting new business because they have no other employment options

Social Entrepreneurs Seek Novel Solutions to Social Problems

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURS

About Entrepreneurs

Profile of Entrepreneurial Characteristics

Internal locus of control Believe in control of own destiny; self-directing and like autonomy

High energy level Persistent, hard working, willing to exert extraordinary efforts to succeed

High need for achievement Motivated to accomplish challenging goals; thrive on performance feedback

Tolerance for ambiguity Risk taker; tolerate situations with high degrees of uncertainty

Self-confidence Feel competent, believe in themselves, willing to make decisions

Action orientation Try to act ahead of problems; want to get things done and not waste time

Self-reliance Want independence; want to be their own boss, not work for others

Flexibility Willing to admit problems and errors, to change course when plans aren’t working

Necessity-based entrepreneurship is when people start new ventures because they have few or no other employment options.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND ENTREPRENEURS

Minority Entrepreneurs

Businesses owned by women create over 27.5 million jobs for U.S. workers.

33% of women starting firms say they weren’t taken seriously by prior employers.

29% of women entrepreneurs say they experienced the “glass ceiling.”

Minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing sector of the American economy.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Small Business

MODULE GUIDE 8.2

Small businesses are mainstays of the economy.

Family-owned businesses can face unique challenges.

Most small businesses fail within five years.

A small business should start with a sound business plan.

There are different forms of small business ownership.

There are different ways of financing a small business.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Small Business

Small Business One with 500 or fewer employees, is independently

owned and operated and does not dominate its industry.

Small Business Statistics Employ some 52 percent of private workers Provide 51 percent of private-sector output Receive 35 percent of federal government contract

dollars Provide as many as 7 out of every 10 new jobs in

the economy

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Small Business Failure Rate

Most (60% to 80%) of small businesses fail within five years of starting.

Common Causes of Small Business Failures •Lack of experience

Not having sufficient know-how to run a business in the chosen market or area •Lack of expertise

Not having expertise in the essentials of business operations, including finance, purchasing, selling, and production

•Lack of strategy Not taking the time to craft a vision and mission, nor to formulate and properly implement strategy

•Poor financial control Failing to track the numbers and to control business finances

•Growing too fast Not taking the time to consolidate a position, fine-tune the organization, and systematically meet the challenges of growth

•Insufficient commitment Not devoting enough time to the requirements of running a competitive business

•Ethical failure Falling prey to the temptations of fraud, deception, and embezzlement

SMALL BUSINESS

Small Business Life Cycle

SMALL BUSINESS

Family Owned Business

Family BusinessA business that is owned and operated by a

family.Family Business Feud

A disagreement amongst family members as to how the business should be run or who should manage it.

SMALL BUSINESS

Types of Small Businesses

Sole Proprietorship An individual or married couple pursuing business for a profit.

Partnership Two or more people agree to contribute resources to start and

operate a business together. General Partnership

The owners share management responsibilities. Limited Partnership

General partner manages the business Limited partners do not participate in day to day operations Limited partners share profit but losses are limited to the

amount of their investment

SMALL BUSINESS

Types of Small Businesses

CorporationA legal entity that exists separately from its

ownersLimited Liability Company (LLC)

A combination of sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation.

Protects owners against personal loss other than what is invested in the company

Treated as a proprietorship or partnership for tax purposes

SMALL BUSINESS

Financing Small Businesses

Debt Financing involves borrowing money from another person, a

bank, or a financial institution.

Equity Financing involves exchanging ownership shares for outside

investment monies.

Venture Capitalists Involves making large investments in new ventures

in return for an equity stake in the business.

SMALL BUSINESS

Financing Small Businesses

Angel InvestorA wealthy individual willing to invest in return

for equity in a new venture. Initial Public Offering (IPO)

An initial selling of shares of stock to the public at large.

Management Tips

Challenging the myths about entrepreneurs

• Entrepreneurs are born, not made. Not true! Talent gained and enhanced by experience is a foundation for entrepreneurial success.

• Entrepreneurs are gamblers. Not true! Entrepreneurs are risk takers, but the risks are informed and calculated.

• Money is the key to entrepreneurial success. Not true! Money is no guarantee of success. There’s a lot more to it than that; many entrepreneurs start with very little.

• You have to be young to be an entrepreneur. Not true! Age is no barrier to entrepreneurship; with age often come experience, contacts, and other useful resources.

• You have to have a degree in business to be an entrepreneur. Not true! But, it helps to study and understand business fundamentals.