Recently, I have had many discussions about how to create an environment that motivates young people to start their own companies and create value for themselves and their communities. Many ideas have been thrown out during these discussions, but the one I find most interesting—and perhaps the one that could make the biggest difference—is the creation of role models.
It’s nearly impossible to make someone go through a difficult process that takes years to accomplish without giving them the right motivation to endure it. For example, why do kids decide to become doctors, firefighters, lawyers, or rock stars? Because they look up to role models in these fields, created through media and television. They see them on TV saving lives, performing amazing feats, and looking cool. Then their parents, teachers, and friends reinforce these ideas by constantly talking about how important these people are.
For some reason, no teacher or parent tells their children they should become entrepreneurs. No TV show is made about people who build their own companies. Rarely do you see media interviews with individuals who have spent years developing technology that could change the world forever.
In my opinion, people who create their own future are among the most admirable individuals out there. They risk everything to create something that improves the world and enhances their own lives. Unfortunately, these individuals are not always given the respect they deserve and often fall into the shadow of what they have created. That’s why it’s important to make entrepreneurship appealing—exciting, even sexy and cool.
We need to create entrepreneurial rock stars that young kids can look up to.
Frumkvöðull í meira en 20 ár. Stofnandi 7 fyrirtækja og Frumkvöðlar-samfélagsins. Skrifar um ferðalagið — gott og illt.
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