Entrepreneurship - A Natural Spark Within

In celebration of small business week…..

Recently, I met with a client needing help with her resume, cover letter and Linked In profile. (I love this part of my consulting ‘navigation’ work because helping people really see their strengths is good for them, for companies and ultimately good for business!). 

Together, we set out on a quest to create a packet of career documents that would portray and promote her most confident and capable self; enabling the job search to begin. However, toward the end of the second coaching session, an interesting thing happened: the conversation slowly turned from ‘looking for a job’ -

to “Yes THIS, and ---“. And that “Yes THIS, and ---“ was her idea for starting a small business.

It didn’t take a lot for my client to reveal MORE of her enterprising Spark. (Actually, I think that is what I am suppose to do as a vision navigator – bring out the Spark in people).  As she started to share, the little light in her eyes began to glimmer and eye brows started to raise up and down.  Then it happened - the big smile arrived. Something very real and genuine showed itself in that moment, and a whole other enthusiastic side of her personality appeared as she exposed her Sparky self.

And while our primary outcome was a potent resume, the truth is - she also was given permission to confess that a host of inspired business ideas was twinkling inside, like stars in a galaxy.  My job? Simply to say, “yes, your job is important. But you can ALSO pursue having a small business and following that VISION is how it all starts.”   

Yes THIS, and more.

I believe an enterprise is a seed waiting to be nurtured into existence in every single person, regardless of gender, age, race, age or political party. In other words, the spirit of enterprising is part of human nature and is waiting for inspiration. This entrepreneurial seed is true and consistent pulse that feeds economic growth, brings life into neighborhoods and fosters regional sustainability.

I believe in personal enterprising so strongly that I strive to teach children as young as 5 the principles of entrepreneurship during play time. Along that same line, I encourage families that enterprising can be generational - a family affair in which everyone has a stake, and a future. 

More importantly, I advocate for having enterprise development as a central solution to solving poverty; i.e. there should be more enterprise development counselors than case workers in the welfare office. (Having stood in line for food stamps during our recent economic crash, I can testify that poor and hungry people are always hoping ALL the time for a Spark to be ignited).

Within you, within them, and within all human beings on the planet is a desire to survive, succeed, create, and reach for the stars of enterprising potential. These shared characteristics connect us, no matter what our station in life.  And by encouraging the enterprising Spark to come forward, we allow everyone’s ‘little Light to shine’ and the spirit of new economy to grow. 

How lucky are we to live in a country that allows and encourages our entrepreneurial Spark to light and shine bright in the world.  

Georgia M. Reash