Building And Entering Your Own Ship

By: Esther Salami

We have often heard the cliche “youths are the leaders of tomorrow” or “youths are the future of the world.” Which is true, but only to some extent. 

The future of the world is not merely young people, but young people who will rightfully apply the knowledge at their disposal.  That’s what makes the difference. There’s a ‘how to penetrate the city’ and entrepreneurship (the prowess of venturing into an innovative business bearing all the risks) may be one of the ways to do so. 

Yes, too many entrepreneurial ventures could be detrimental to the economy but that is a problem developed countries may want to worry about, but for developing countries with high rates of unemployment, disguised employment, And poverty, entrepreneurship is a welcome antidote.

Until youths begin to engage their minds in forming innovative ideas, we may not experience a significant peak in our economy. A common characteristics of developing countries that young people have begin to settle for is the establishment of small-scale businesses. Many think this is entrepreneurship but it is not though they are quite similar. While small businesses deal with already established products and services, entrepreneurial ventures focus on either creating new products and services or developing and improving an existing product or service. As the popular saying goes, it is folly doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Small businesses may make an individual rich but entrepreneurial ventures will make a nation rich.

True there is the question of capital in any entrepreneurial venture, nonetheless, small beginnings is not a bad place to start as Joyce Meyer commented. It is however not a place to stay. If we wait for perfect conditions before we venture into becoming entrepreneurs we may never start, and this has been a trend among youths. The path to being an entrepreneur is risky, but as my mentor once stated, vision makes you leave the certain for the uncertain. Until we become convenient with inconvenience we may never see a life of convenience. 

It is time for us to rise. We are young people, and we possess minds capable of imagining mind-blowing inventions. Let’s keep improving ourselves, being our own biggest cheerleader and pursuing our vision, never giving up. If Ray Kroc gave up there will be no McDonalds Franchise today. 

You may not have to think of creating something entirely new – Microsoft didn’t invent the internet after all. But one thing is important for our world to develop and that is innovative thinking laced with the ability of being a good steward with every penny and opportunity you have. If you are disciplined and consistent with your vision, the provision will eventually follow and who knows you just may be the next face on the television sharing your business expedition.