How many major entrepreneurial movements were there in the twentieth century? The creation of the Hollywood movie industry early in the century, the Silicon Valley technology boom late in the century, and so on.
I’d add the great wave of rock and roll music in the middle of the century.
How many times did this story happen? Some kids start a garage band. They write their own songs. They scrape up some money and hit the road, marketing themselves any way they can, living on the edge, and working to hit the big time.
That’s the essence of entrepreneurship: Creative energy, initiative, risk, going for broke, persevering through the obstacles, striving for success.
I was struck by this Bob Dylan line about the impact Elvis Presley had on him: “When I first heard Elvis’s voice, I just knew I wasn’t going to work for anybody, and nobody was going to be my boss. He is the deity supreme of rock and roll religion as it exists in today’s form. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail. I thank God for Elvis Presley.”
I wasn’t going to work for anybody, and nobody was going to be my boss.
It can be rock and roll or anything. Entrepreneurship is finding your own voice and doing your thing your way.
Related:
The image is from Rusty Knuckles, which has this useful advice on How To Fail Miserably in a Band.
The Entrepreneurial Process — my 10-minute lecture.
Absolutely! Imagine the Ministry of Culture giving Elvis approval – but with the proviso he revise certain lyrics so they are more conducive to the public interest – and stop gyrating those damn hips!