Is it easier or harder to be an entrepreneur now?

Thanks to the Internet and cloud computing starting a business is easier than ever. But, there’s good and bad news for entrepreneurs.

We will start with the good. Years ago there were so many things that were almost impossible to do as a solo business owner. Now, if you want to be a service provider, you can be up and running in no time.

Many entrepreneurs start by figuring out if their product or servicefile0001165873826 is viable. Basically, they begin by emailing and calling friends, family, colleagues, and vendors – shaking trees to see if any fruit falls. This requires time and energy, but very little money. A laptop, email account, cell phone, maybe a VoIP service, business cards, and you are good to go. Easy peasy!

There used to be some big barriers that stopped individuals from starting a businesses. Enter cloud-based services that are inexpensive and run on any device. If you need help on a project you can find it online at sites like Elance, oDesk, and Fiverr. The cherry on top may be sites like 99designs where you can find unbelievable values on design services.

Now to the bad. I think it’s harder for people to objectively vet their idea, take the time to think it through, and plan for success. And I don’t mean writing a 100-page business plan, which no small company needs.

I think many people who are not naturally entrepreneurs may be starting businesses because it’s the “cool” thing to do, or because they feel they don’t have options in the corporate world. I read an article recently hypothesizing that we’re going to experience a record number of small business failures because of these two points. I think that may be right.

I also think it’s harder to be heard because it’s so easy and cheap to broadcast constantly through your blog and social media platforms. No small business wants to be the great product or service nobody has heard of. No prospects = no business.

Overall, I think the changes are positive. I think people who want to start businesses should be able to do it easily, and without major startup costs.

Yes, I think it’s definitely easier to start a business and be an entrepreneur now. I also think our lives will be greatly improved as more entrepreneurs and small business owners get to share their vision and ideas with the world.

What do you think? Is it easier or harder to start a business now? Is it a good thing? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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4 Responses to Is it easier or harder to be an entrepreneur now?

  1. Mary-Lynn May 18, 2013 at 1:30 am #

    Catherine, as always, you are on target with the pro’s and con’s of being an entrepreneur! To answer your question, I think it’s easier today. Mainly because technology makes it easy to shift. Like you said, newbies will experience some failure. But you can quickly and inexpensively abandon an idea that wasn’t thought out well, use that knowledge, and start over.

    Thanks for writing about such a great topic!

    Mary-Lynn

  2. Catherine Morgan May 18, 2013 at 8:12 pm #

    Great point about the fail fast and relaunch, Mary-Lynn! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

  3. Sarah Thompson May 20, 2013 at 8:59 am #

    The other major factor will be access to health insurance. In MA we have seen record high new businesses because health insurance is no longer keeping people locked into jobs they hate. So as this access is expanded to the national level I predict that will allow many more people who were on the fence to start businesses.

    And I agree that you don’t need a 100 page business plan to start a small service business, but you do need a plan. And most importantly you need a financial plan (but I am probably a little biased because that is what I do)

    • Catherine Morgan May 20, 2013 at 12:38 pm #

      Hi Sarah, I also agree that you do need a plan. That was one of the points I was hoping to make because as Carol Roth says, “When you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” I just hate when I see people going into analysis paralysis.

      Access to health care has been the biggest barrier to entry. I had to fold my first business when my ex-husband lost his job in the 90’s because individual policies were prohibitively expensive. I too know many people who are essentially corporate prisoners because of this. Hopefully, we can fix this situation and the right people will start businesses for the right reasons.

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