Everyone Can Be An Entrepreneur

I was just an average guy with average grades. I didn't get into NTU on my first attempt. I nearly cannot graduate after I got in. But I'm doing something on my own now. I'm what people would call an entrepreneur. It would seem common sense about what I'm doing now but it wasn't so when I started.

Being a businessman is different from being an entrepreneur. By doing something someone else is already doing only makes you a business person, not an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is one who introduces a new product, new way of doing things or new process that changes the status quo. Usually, what an entrepreneur introduces to the market is new and disruptive which makes the idea difficult to be accepted in the beginning as no one is doing it at the moment. Why is it disruptive? Because when it is accepted, it rocks the status quo and changes the way things will be done. No one can ignore the idea and pressence when it works. But before then, it is up to you to convince the market of your new idea.

It may take years before the market is convinced. Sometimes it is not the idea that does not work, it is the market that does not accept it.... yet. Being an entrepreneur is having the tenacity to see it through.

Can a person be taught to become an entrepreneur? Well, no one can make you an entrepreneur unless you make a conscious decision to become one. You must dare to dream and believe in your own dream. The dream must not about making money. Money should not be your motivating force. It is your faith and passion of your dream that keep you driven. The spirit of entrepreneurship cannot be taught but teaching subjects like Economics, Fianance, Taxation, Accounting etc would be helpful. Case studies of successful companies or failed attempts will bring insights. These will help to increase the chance of success of new entrepreneurial ventures. For me, I wished I had training in these areas. Now, I just have to find time to learn all these on my own. :)

I am a true blue Singaporean. I am educated in Singapore's education system. I was brought up in rote learning too. I think rote learning has its advantages. It trained my brain and memory which are important. There is no such thing as useless skill. I also grew up in the so-called Singapore's 'culture of control' and 'fearful of failure (aka kiasi)' environment as are many of my entrepreneurial friends. Do not blame the Singapore environment. In fact, I feel that Singapore has the most conducive environment to be an entrepreneur (read here and here). There is safety (less crimes), polictical stability and no corruption (at least to my knowledge). We are on a very sheltered island whereby we don't have natural calamities. Yes, of course, like everywhere, there will be negative points about Singapore's environment. But entrepreneurs don't wait for perfect conditions to venture out. Lamenting about less than perfect conditions can only be excuses. There will never be perfect conditions. You make do with what you are given. If there is a new world waiting for entrepreneurs to discover, we'll set sail even through the eye of the thunderstorm if required!

I've also heard many complain about GLCs (government-linked companies). I view them as just another competitor. If I can't even compete in my home turf with a Singapore company, how can I compete in the global landscape? I might as well just stay at home and suck thumb. The world is getting flatter and the global market is getting more competitive. While others see it as competition, I see it as opportunities waiting for you to carve a niche.

I've crossed swords with GLCs before and I survived to tell the tale. I realised that as they are GLCs, in fact it becomes a hindrance. As entrepreneurs and upstart, we can be nimble and we have no one to answer to. We can be controversial, daring and try revolutionary tatics. The management of GLCs have their hands tied behind their back. There are many things they don't dare to do. They are even more afriad of failures than we are. They have the government to answer to. Me? I answer to no one. In fact, in failure and trying, we gain experience and find new opportunities and growth.

The road of an entreprenuer is not glamourous. It should not be made fashionable. You must know that the the road ahead of an entrepreneur is hard, gritty and tough. It is in fact, a road to perdition. Being an entrepreneur is not a gift. An entrepreneur is a normal person like you and I. All you need is an idea, determination and huge doses of perseverance. These are the ingredients that you and I have. Mix them up and you'll get results.

Everyone can be an entrepreneur. Really.

Note: This article is also published in sgentrepreneurs.com.