REVISITED: The World Needs More Average Entrepreneurs

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

You have probably come across numerous news stories featuring extraordinary young prodigies, self-taught individuals, and underdog entrepreneurs who achieved remarkable success at a very young age. You know, the Forbes this under that lists, articles about 14 year olds who raised XYZ millions for their deep tech startup, and so on. Don’t get me wrong, all credit to the these exceptional entrepreneurs and their achievements.

However, I want to focus on the other side of this narrative. While these stories are initially captivating and inspiring, they can become repetitive and disheartening, leading to a majority of entrepreneurs to believe that such extraordinary accomplishments are the norm. It is easy to start feeling like failures unless we become multi-entrepreneurs in our early twenties.

I firmly believe that the world needs more average entrepreneurs.

But here’s the thing: success is not defined by reaching a specific destination; it’s a continuous process of growth and evolution, however cheesy it may sound. I recently listened to a podcast episode featuring Bryan Clayton, founder of Greenpal (an Uber for lawn care). Bryan shared his view on an important aspect of entrepreneurship: the value of multiple entrepreneurial journeys. He highlighted that seasoned entrepreneurs who exhibit confidence and agility have often gone through various ventures, gaining valuable knowledge, network and skills along the way. Each experience contributes to their growth, and they learn from setbacks, continually challenging themselves to evolve.

In that context, speed equals experience. By embracing multiple entrepreneurial endeavours, you gradually gain the wisdom that comes from navigating various business ventures. Success is not solely about swift achievements but rather the continuous accumulation of knowledge and skills through each journey. Instead of pressuring yourself to achieve extraordinary success at a young age, focus on the ongoing process of personal and professional growth.

During this time, I have witnessed the detrimental effects of the “superhuman” narrative on young and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Over the past seven years, I have worked with and studied early-stage and grassroots entrepreneurship in various domestic and international contexts. During this time, I have witnessed the detrimental effects of the “superhuman” narrative on young and aspiring entrepreneurs. I’ve witnessed young people not seeing entrepreneurship and working on their business projects as worthwhile and the “superhuman” narrative reinforces existing mental barriers and discourages many budding entrepreneurs from pursuing their ideas. The worst part is that people have bought into this narrative because, understandably, who wouldn’t want to be portrayed as rich, exceptional, and wildly successful?

Today’s young and aspiring entrepreneurs don’t need more motivational fluff or misleading norms about entrepreneurship. What they truly need is proper guidance for pursuing their ideas and access to support. I firmly believe that building self-confidence comes from acquiring more knowledge—knowledge on how to progress with your ideas and bring them to life within your community, step by step. Simply just knowing how to move forward.

Additionally, confidence stems from knowing that there is somewhere or someone to turn to for whenever there is uncertainty. In those moments of doubt, motivational clips won’t be of much help because, let’s be honest: if you constantly require motivation to start or run your business, you might be in the wrong kind of business in the first place.

I firmly believe that the world needs more average entrepreneurs. In fact, it is craving them. Hear me out.

As an average entrepreneur, you have a unique opportunity to build genuine communities around your products or services.

Average entrepreneurs have the power to make a genuine and meaningful difference. By being average, you naturally understand your target users because you may very well be one of them. This deeper connection allows you to develop solutions that truly resonate and add value, as you intimately grasp the challenges and needs of your end users and customers. Through empathy, you forge strong connections that foster trust and loyalty. As an average entrepreneur, you have a unique opportunity to build genuine communities around your products or services. By being relatable, understanding, and responsive to your customers’ needs, you foster a sense of belonging and trust.

This connection extends beyond mere transactions, creating a loyal community that stands by your side, supporting your journey. With this come a treasure trove of market insights. Representing a broader customer base, you possess firsthand knowledge of prevailing trends, preferences, and unmet needs. Leveraging this understanding, you can identify opportunities that align with market demands, using your average perspective as a powerful lens to navigate the business landscape and unlock untapped potential.

While grandiose ideas and entrepreneurs may capture attention,** it’s the practical solutions that have a higher chance of making a real impact.

While grandiose ideas and entrepreneurs may capture attention, it’s the practical solutions that have a higher chance of making a real impact. You understand the importance of focusing on achievable goals and creating products or services that address tangible problems, setting the stage for sustainable growth. Building a successful venture is a collaborative effort, and as an average entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to surround yourself with motivated and skilled individuals. By assembling a diverse team with complementary strengths, you create a powerful collective that drives your idea and vision forward. None of you may be exceptional or “superhuman,” but what sets you apart is the collective motivation, tenacity, and vision.

Average entrepreneurs also embody a humble disposition and a thirst for learning. This mindset forms the foundation for sustainable growth, as you embrace the lessons learned from failures to continuously refine your products or services. With adaptability and a growth-oriented mindset, you confidently navigate the ever-changing entrepreneurial landscape, continuously iterating and improving.

At Edventures, we champion a form of entrepreneurship that empowers individuals and their communities. Impact should always be the most important consideration for entrepreneurs. However, this impact does not have to be superhuman. If you identify an issue you believe you can solve and that would benefit people in your community, then go for it. We want to equip you with the tools to help you realize this dream. And to achieve it, you don’t have to be superhuman; embrace being average. You don’t need to know everything or have all the answers. That’s not expected of you.

Consider this: a hair salon that turns a profit and provides employment opportunities to the local community has a more significant impact than a flashy fintech unicorn that employs hundreds of developers and offers a service with marginal value to customers in developed nations, all while struggling to achieve profitability.

Attaining unicorn status should never be your ultimate goal. Personally, it would be a fun bonus, but it’s not what should drive you. Many entrepreneurs who have achieved unicorn status have come to realize the limited value their companies truly create for society once they exit, leaving them and their investors with vast fortunes. Take Fredrik Jung-Abbou as a prime example. Other founders have also recognised the futility of building companies that fail to generate significant impact for people or the planet. Just look at how Norrsken came about.

Entrepreneurship is not about the limelight or valuation — it’s about making an impact. True impact happens within our communities, far beyond headlines or a select few people’s bank accounts. At Edventures, we believe in this purpose-driven form of entrepreneurship, and we invite you, our community of average entrepreneurs, to join us!

We know from our expertise that entrepreneurship education and government regulations often present significant obstacles for aspiring entrepreneurs. While we can’t control government regulations, we can assist you in navigating them. Our platform combines educational features and continuous guidance through AI to support all entrepreneurs who dare to be average.

When you contemplate starting your own business, embrace the concept of being average. At least when you’re starting out. Rise above the narrative that glorifies exceptionalism and seize the opportunities that come with being ordinary. Look around you and seek real solutions to real problems. Focus on solutions that will genuinely help and uplift your community. This is the type of entrepreneurship the world needs, and it is the kind of entrepreneurship we are here to support.

Join us at Edventures, where we empower average entrepreneurs to make a real impact. Together, let’s redefine success and build businesses that create positive change in our communities and beyond.

Here’s to us, the average entrepreneurs!

Originally written by Alexander Zahari, 6 October 2020. Repurposed for this blog post 19 July 2023.