Entrepreneurs in the News: 9 awesome entrepreneurs doing big things

I came across this article in my Google Alert yesterday. This was an amazing story of young people going forth and conquering the world. These nine young entrepreneurs, between the ages of 23 and 34 were named "The Hitachi Foundation's Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs" of 2010.

"The Hitachi Foundation was established as an independent nonprofit philanthropic organization by Hitachi, Ltd. in 1985. Governed by a Board of Directors composed of highly accomplished Americans, the Foundation seeks to discover and expand business practices that create tangible and enduring economic opportunities for low-wealth Americans, their families, and the communities in which they reside."

         -The Hitachi Foundation

Not only did they create businesses that will help them create a legacy, but many of them created businesses that are support the economy, local residents, and are sustainable. For instance, "ALEX VELEZ (23) AND NIKHIL ARORA (23) founded BTTR Ventures, a 100% sustainable, for-profit urban gourmet mushroom farm employing inner-city residents." Read more on the Kansas City Star online

Check out these two and all the other awesome young entrepreneurs and see why they deserved to win the $50,000 prize, technical support, and rubbing elbows with investors. Nine Young Entrepreneurs, Each Building a Viable Business that Helps Alleviate Poverty, Named The Hitachi Foundation's Yoshiyama Young Entrepreneurs - KansasCity.com

Remember, it doesn't matter at what age you decide to purpose your dream. As long as you don't let it become a distant memory.

The Unemployed Entrepreneur

How I Made My Millions: The Man Behind Super Soaker

Everyone has that one idea or that venture that they know is bound to make them rich, successful, and well-known but some how fear prevents them from seeking it and they never reach their full potential.

They lay in their bed day in and day out contemplating if they should or if they shouldn't just to be sad for the rest of their lives saying, "I wish I woulda..." Being an entrepreneur is scary, I won't lie. It takes a ton of hard work, determination, courage, and seeking opportunities, but what is scariest of all is going through your life saying "I shoulda..." or "What would've happened if..." or "I wish I would have..."

The other day my mom told me that when she was growing up she wanted to be a fashion designer. I NEVER knew that about her. It was a piece of her history that I was shocked and a bit excited to hear, but it left me thinking (as her daughter) what would have been? How different would our lives be if...? I was sad to know that she wanted to be a designer because I already know her to be an excellent seamstress. I'm glad that she is in a career that she enjoys and feels like she is meeting her purpose, but I'm sad to know that she was too afraid to venture out and at least test the waters. Life will do that to you sometimes, make you so afraid of your dreams that it becomes your life's nightmare.

Below is a little bit of inspiration for you to not just venture and concur your dreams in entrepreneurship, but to also work hard to make your first million.

"Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it."

            -Bill Cosby

The Unemployed [but Empowered] Entrepreneur

Self-Employed Entrepreneurs in the News: Mark Zuckerberg

I'm sure most of us who are business owners dream of the day when our hardwork and sleepless nights payoff and we are finally able to not only reap the spoils but also give some of it away.

I'm a firm believer in giving back to the community in anyway I can, whether it's through community service or charity planning, I try my best to make my community a better one. That is why today is dedicated to a young self-employed entrepreneur who is doing just that, making his community better.


Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of the power social site Facebook.

The following excerpt is from CNN.com:

"Mark Zuckerberg, founder and chief executive of social-networking powerhouse Facebook, is planning on donating $100 million toward improving public schools in the troubled district of Newark, New Jersey. The gift would be the largest known charitable donation by Zuckerberg, who Forbes magazine says is the 35th richest person in the United States with an estimated net worth of nearly $7 billion."

      Get the full story here on CNN.com

I admire this young man, not just as a young entrepreneur myself, but the fact that he's well grounded enough to give back in a way that is so powerful. Education is absolutely the foundation on which creativity and innovation lies. College may not be for everyone at the end of the day, but primary and secondary education gives all kids the tools they need to be successful adults later in life.Whether they want to be an astronaut, business person, or teacher, it all begins with getting a good education growing up.

Sadly, in America our educational system is horribly broken and it's come time for us (the community, the people, the entrepreneurs) to do what we can to fix it.

Although he is giving back to schools in New Jersey and I live in Georgia, I would still like to send my appreciation to what he is doing and hope that his actions have an effect on other very successful entrepreneurs in this nation.

The Unemployed [but Empowered and Hardworking] Entrepreneur

Unemployed Entrepreneur in the news: Beverly Davis

I read an inspiring story from the folks at AJC [Atlanta Journal Constitution] about the story of Beverly Davis, a down and out Fairburn, GA woman turning her luck around through entrepreneurship.

From the AJC:

"Hoping to repurchase her home, the Fairburn woman launched a website this summer selling homemade cornbread mixes. She also offers cornbread recipes and inspirational bumper stickers such as this one: 'When life throws lemons, make lemonade, bake cornbread and sell it'"

It's amazing to me how many entrepreneurs this economy is producing. You'd think it would be easier to just kick and scream and mope about not being employed, not making money, and succumbing to the struggle of it all. But like Darwin suggests, "Only the strong survive." It's my opinion that if you can create and thrive in this down economy you can survive when it goes back up.

Beverly Davis has gone from making $10,000 in profit when she first launched her business and website to making over $54,000. She is an inspiration to us all about what drive and cunning looks like.

"When a person is unemployed, unable to find a job, some people automatically assume you can’t manage money and will treat you like a failure,” Davis said. “You can’t make somebody hire you. But you can hire yourself. For me, that was the solution."

        --Beverly Davis to AJC

Keep doing your thing Ms. Davis and I'll be seeing you at the top.

Get the full story on the AJC website. Check out her site Cornbread Millionaire.

The Unemployed [but Empowered] Entrepreneur