Leave it to the millennial generation—the “ME ME ME Generation,” according to Time (subscription required)—to play fast and loose with the word “entrepreneur.” In a survey of about 3,200 freelancers, including more than 1,900 between the ages of 19 and 30, most had a fairly expansive take.
Among other softballs, the survey asked readers which of the following two statements was a better description of an entrepreneur: “a person who starts a company” or “a person with a mindset to see opportunities, take risks, and make things happen.” To be sure, the question seems designed to elicit a predetermined answer. But it’s worth noting that for 90 percent of respondents, achieving the American dream of owning a business isn’t what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
