The ‘e’ of Global Transformation
Entrepreneurs are the growth engines of economies. They have pioneered most of what matters or have at least provided the world the tools. They are raw, real, and revolutionary. They are the ’e’ in the non-differential equation driven world of chaos in which we live and work. They drive the ’creative destruction’ process of transformation that economist Joseph Schumpeter recognized was key to radical innovation and sustained long-term economic growth.
Gazelles
This is why I’ve spent 25 years of my life doing one thing: celebrating, educating and hanging out with entrepreneurs – the ’gazelles’ of our economies. Their vision, energy, and perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds never cease to amaze me.
Just a few weeks ago I participated as a judge for a nationwide business plan contest in the U.S. Standing before us was a modern day Field preparing to slay dragons, Jay Mullis. Starting with a formula passed down from his deceased grandfather, Mullis aims to replace the 22 million pounds of toxic pesticides annually pumped into U.S. homes to kill roaches.
Poison
It seems the giants of industry, unable to patent the most effective natural insecticide available for decades, developed synthetic insecticides they could patent, even though they are highly toxic to people, pets, and the environment.
Using Boric Acid, which has the toxicity of common table salt, but is highly lethal to roaches, Mullis has created a patentable formulation and delivery mechanism. More importantly, he’s created a business model that makes it attractive for the existing distribution channels to switch products.
Tomorrow’s stars
Called Green Dragon Roach Kill (red: in augustus uitgeroepen tot de beste starter van de VS), Mullis is taking on the 100-ton gorillas of the marketplace. He knows it won’t be easy. But he remains undeterred. Driven more by mission, and the memories of his grandfather, Mullis is doing his part to help the environment and make the planet a better place to live.
No risk
Surprisingly, however, entrepreneurs are not risk takers. They tackle initiatives that appear risky to the rest of the world, but the successful entrepreneur is a shrewd planner who works hard at mitigating risk and creating the kind of luck that is necessary to beat the unbeatable odds. And they do this by being sponges of knowledge and seeking out the best resources and people they can attract to their ventures.
Nevertheless, in the end the journey of an entrepreneur is a lonely one. Organizations like the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) can help. But when cash is running low and prospects for success are looking dim, it’s the passion and perseverance of the entrepreneur that is their only true friend.
