Are You an Innerpreneur?

Where the Term Innerpreneur Comes From No, I didn't make it up. The book, Karma Queens, Geek Gods and Innerprenuers, by Ron Rentel, was the first, to my knowledge, to use and define the term innerpreneur. The book is an exploration of the nine most interesting consumer types evolving today. The Making of an Innerpreneur An innerpreneur is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneur" title="Entrepreneur defined">entrepreneur</a> who use their business to find personal fulfillment (creatively, spiritually, emotionally) and create social change. You may have heard the terms '<a href="http://creativeclass.com/" title="Creative Class Defined">creative class</a>', '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql-Mtlx31e8" title="Bill Gates discusses Creative Capitalism">creative capitalism</a>', or '<a href="http://www.culturalcreatives.org/" title="Cultural Creatives Defined">cultural creative</a>' used to describe us as well. Basically, we want to use business to improve the world and ourselves. We have the defining entrepreneurial traits of a(n): <ul><li>high need for achievement</li><li>high need for independence</li><li>low need for conformity</li><li>internal locus of control</li><li>love of ambiguity</li><li>propensity for risk-taking</li><li>obsession with opportunity</li></ul> But as innerpreneurs we are characteristically different as we start businesses to aid in our personal growth rather than that of a company's. We start our businesses so we can find personal fulfillment and satisfaction through our work. We are driven by our need to realize our full potential, to make a difference and to constantly learn and evolve. We Do What We Are Our businesses have been started for our personal fulfillment. They are our means for expression and our avenue to make a difference. They were not started to for monetary reasons. Life experience and exploration energize and inspire us. We do not want our businesses to consume our lives. We want to travel, learn and grow. We are Idealist, Psychologically. Our temperament, I believe, is what really makes us innerpreneurs. We are <a href="http://www.keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&amp;f=fourtemps&amp;tab=3&amp;c=overview" title="Keirsey Idealist Personality Definition">idealists</a> naturally. As <a href="http://www.keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&amp;f=fourtemps&amp;tab=3&amp;c=overview" title="Keirsey Idealist Personality Definition">idealists</a> we: <ul><li>are enthusiastic, trust our intuition, yearn for romance, seek our true selves, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining wisdom.</li></ul> <ul><li> pride ourself on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.</li></ul> <ul><li> are giving, trusting, spiritual, and focused on our personal journey and human potential.</li></ul> Idealists have the iNtuative Feelers (or NF) aspects of their <a href="http://www.elasticmind.ca/innerpreneur/index.php/2008/09/03/the-first-steps-to-realizing-your-passion-purpose/" title="Realize Your Passion">personality type</a>. <h3> </h3>Further Characteristics of an Innerpreneur <ul><li>you believe you should do what you are and what you love </li><li>you see the world in a different way than most </li><li>you let your morals and passion for exploration guide your life </li><li>you have an inborn need to be creative and open, to seek new pathways </li><li>you want to make things different; you are attracted to industries that have a social conscience or who try to create connections between people </li><li>you may alternate periods of career focus with periods of reflection and/or adventure </li></ul> I am an Innerpreneur After reading the chapter on Innerpreneurs in Karma Queens, Geek Gods and Innerprenuers, I quickly identified my needs and desires as one of an innerpreneur. Just before reading the book I had just decided to start <a href="http://www.elasticmind.ca">my own company</a>. I had realized that I had to in order to have the life I desired. I want to write, learn, help people and use the web to create change. I have always been hesitant to label myself, to put myself in a box of any sort but I couldn't help but smile and take a deep breathe of relief when I read the profile. It is always nice to belong somewhere. Grow the Idea I have started a <a href="http://www.elasticmind.ca/innerpreneur" title="Rise of the Innerpreneur">blog dedicated to promoting innerpreneurship</a> and helping innerpreneurs, like you, make their businesses a success. 2008-09-15T16:39:37Z

2008-09-16T14:42:51Z