11/ 21/ 2006
by Rex Hammock, Editor and Publisher
Running a business can run in a family, even for those who may not continue working in the business run by their parents. At least that's what we discovered while working on this issue of MyBusiness. In speaking with small-business owners for the article "The Entrepreneurial Gene" (on page 22), we heard similar accounts about childhood experiences that provided the foundation of future entrepreneurship. Most went something like this: Someone in their childhood, most likely a parent or older sibling or close family friend, served as an inspirational role model. Because of these role models, the business owners we talked to knew that one day they wanted to run their own small businesses.
Whether it's a first summer job, sitting at the kitchen table helping their parents stuff envelopes or bagging groceries at the small grocery store started by their grandfather, young people are often inspired to grow into entrepreneurs by people like you—real small-business owners who are just working hard every day. And, most likely, you'll never know you're igniting a spark for a future entrepreneur.
As part of our look at the entrepreneurial gene, we also talked with some recent winners of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation's Young Entrepreneur Awards about what inspired them to start businesses while still in high school. Many, citing role-model small-business owners, are still involved in their companies that earned them recognition. No doubt, they are now serving as inspiration for another, younger group of entrepreneurs.
Inspiration comes in many forms: It can be as simple as sticking to a commitment, or it can be as challenging as the life-threatening and debilitating health crises that Cyndi Masters had to overcome to keep her business open (See "Hidden Strengths" on page 29).
You may not consider yourself such a hero. However, you may be the reason others dream about starting a business themselves.
