They have infiltrated our communities. They could be living next door to you. Some quietly go about their business, others, with a more flamboyant streak, make a little more noise.
They perform their tasks at all hours. When many of us are enjoying Bewitched re-runs or unrealistic reality programs they are proceeding with the mission they were called to do. They see the forest and the trees, but may be looked upon as crazy - or dreamers.
Who are these creatures?...they’re today’s entrepreneurs – the risk takers.
More often than not they work more than 37.5 hours a week. They have probably never known the luxury of a paid half-hour lunch and two evenly dispersed fifteen minute breaks. When success comes, most likely after years of toil and worry, they are often looked upon with jealousy. They’re seen as lucky… as a lightning bolt stroke-of-luck overnight success… who have not earned their reward.
But as Let’s Make A Deal’s Monty Hall once said, “Actually, I’m an overnight success. But it took twenty years.”
It seems, in today’s society, there is a creeping belief that we are owed a livelihood; that the government should take care of us; that our working for the week-end should involve minimum work with maximum pay.
Risk-Takers think differently. They know governments owe them one thing – the opportunity to try.
To them, the marketplace is an opportunity for creativity. They know that hard-work and persistence guarantee them nothing more than the chance to try again tomorrow. They know they could be risking all- to gain nothing.
They also know the rewards can be tremendous – both financially and personally.
Many of the things we use and enjoy - things that make our life easier and even fun are the result of an entrepreneur with an idea.
Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith had an idea in 1903 and are responsible for the Crayola Crayons next to your child on the living-room floor.
Charles Lubin risked his money in 1935 by purchasing three neighbourhood bakeshops which today is Sara Lee and the cheesecake in the frozen food section of your local supermarket.
On a smaller scale, we all know people in our own towns that have risked finances and given up vacation time to pursue a passion. In turn they’ve given us an essential product or service, and created employment for others along the way.
Financial sacrifice, sleepless nights, and bouts of self-doubt are all part of an entrepreneurs life. But so are perseverance and the courage to try again one more day.
So, if you see a Risk-Taker walking down the street, tip your hat to him or her…if they’re smiling…hopefully it’s all the way to the bank.
