Where the Term Innerpreneur Comes FromNo, 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 entrepreneur who use their business to find personal fulfillment (creatively, spiritually, emotionally) and create social change.
You may have heard the terms 'creative class', 'creative capitalism', or 'cultural creative' 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):
- high need for achievement
- high need for independence
- low need for conformity
- internal locus of control
- love of ambiguity
- propensity for risk-taking
- obsession with opportunity
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 idealists naturally.
As idealists we:
- are enthusiastic, trust our intuition, yearn for romance, seek our
true selves, prize meaningful relationships, and dream of attaining
wisdom.
- pride ourself on being loving, kindhearted, and authentic.
- are giving, trusting, spiritual, and focused on our personal journey and human potential.
Idealists have the iNtuative Feelers (or NF) aspects of their personality type.
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Further Characteristics of an Innerpreneur
- you believe you should do what you are and what you love
- you see the world in a different way than most
- you let your morals and passion for exploration guide your life
- you have an inborn need to be creative and open, to seek new pathways
- you want to make things different; you are attracted to industries
that have a social conscience or who try to create connections between
people
- you may alternate periods of career focus with periods of reflection and/or adventure
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 my own company.
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 blog dedicated to promoting innerpreneurship and helping innerpreneurs, like you, make their businesses a success.