"I AM" CAREER IDENTITY, JOB & TRADE

“Entrepreneurs are not afraid of unemployment; entrepreneurs are self-employed” (Dr Beem Beeka)

Identity can be defined as your personal image of “I AM”. The optimist pursues a job as an employee or entrepreneur. While pessimists' wrongly opin the jobless and so called 'briefcase MD’s' claim to be entrepreneurs. However, to be crystal clear, entrepreneurship is not a just a job, rather it is a long-term career identity. After all, despite the continuous challenges of business, how can one be unemployed if they are self-employed? Many successful entrepreneurs especially those that start micro, from their brains, bedrooms, kitchens and in garages are (were) at some point considered unemployed because they don’t conform to wearing a suit or any office attire, traveling to work. Fact is, many nascent or struggling entrepreneurs will be considered unemployed or part-time employed, until their innovations or results do the talking to show the world their ideas, products, services, companies had been incubating all along, and they were their own boss and the CEO of their lives.

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free” (Ralph Ellison)

Entrepreneur, Intrapreneur, Social, Latent & Nascent Types

Our book section on jobs and careers ascertains that entrepreneurship for many is a work identity and a long-term career plan, with the decision arrived at through pursuing the execution of ideas, business start-up, operations, personal goals and socio-economic factors. Additionally, it is established that many entrepreneurs operate in more than one trade sector, while innovative employees are “Intrapreneurs”. However, the majority of society are unaware of this term so employees are unable to claim the identity “I am an Intrapreneur” some bosses probably would have an issue with this since employees are hired for specific job roles (titles). 

As labels go, any person who “wishes” to become their own boss or start a business but is not yet a full entrepreneur is termed a “latent entrepreneur”. While a “nascent entrepreneur” is anyone in the process of creating a new venture or who has just started a business. A “social entrepreneur” is anyone who recognises an opportunity and starts an organisation to address a social problem in society.  However, existing entrepreneurs must prepare for society, the duality and personal self-doubt that will accompany your decision to call yourself “I am an Entrepreneur”. 

Below are some superb "I AM" or Career Identity interview excerpts:

“Funny enough, I don’t exactly consider myself as an entrepreneur, but I guess people tell you that based on what you’ve done you probably are. I think by virtue of the economy I consider myself more of a hustler just trying to make a dollar out of a cent, or trying to make value where people would appreciate whatever the provider can put on the table. That’s basically how I like to describe myself; this is me.”

“When you say it like that it sounds like I’m clever [i.e., being called an entrepreneur in tech] I’m not. I tried to rent out my bicycle [when I was a kid], and I didn’t see my bicycle for four hours. The guy took off he was supposed to pay me, and I didn’t see him for four hours. When he came back I was crying…So when you say that, you make me sound like the real entrepreneurs of the world, I’m not, I’m not terribly commercially inclined.”

“I am beginning to see myself as an entrepreneur because I saw a very wonderful business opportunity [asides my current business] which I got talking with the guys…and we have started concluding arrangements.”

“The admiration I had for my Dad when I saw him transacting, at the same time when I was growing up I noticed a lot of people that work [entrepreneurs]. There is a Yoruba proverb that says “you work to feed yourself but you trade to be successful” and I choose to be a trader.”

“Freedom, I have never received any salary from anyone, and I am happy for it. Also, I feel that you can never be rich working for other people and right from primary school, I realised being a salary earner will not solve my problems, being the first born I have to take care of my younger ones. Financial independence is the goal.”

Everyone's life, wealth and career journey is unique and influenced by their present circumstances, focus, networks, purpose, and environment. However, trade, enterprise and the entrepreneurial mind-set are cross-cultural and universal. Similarly, employee mind-sets are universal.  It is ok to have a job as an employee, but it is not ok to stay long-term in a damaging job. To be honest, when you are considered different or not part of a certain group, the world will try to bully and break you but don't allow it!. Will Smith said "The world is not going to break you. We won't allow you". Avoid, block, adapt, plan against, and fight all negatives. The most conversation any person has throughout their lifetime is with their self, and these thoughts should remain 'can do', positive and progressive. 

"You work to feed yourself but you trade to be successful” (Yoruba proverb)

Hence, are you an "Intrapreneur" within your job role or an "Entrepreneur?" Take action to actualise the career you want and need. Ask yourself these two questions and take at least a minute each to reflect and answer “Who are you?” and “What is your work or career identity?”

     

“I am an Entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is an Essential Part of My Identity” 
(Dr Beem Beeka & Doo Beeka)

Sources referenced from the below.

JOURNALS

1.  Beeka, B. H. and Rimmington, M. (2011) Entrepreneurship as a viable career option for African youths. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship.16 (1), 145- 164. 

2.  Beeka, B and Rimmington, M. (2011) Tourism entrepreneurship as a career choice for the young in Nigeria. Tourism Planning and Development. 8 (2) 215-223. 

SHEFFIELD DOCTORAL CONFERENCE: WON BEST PAPER 

3.  Beeka, B. (2011) Entrepreneurship as a career choice: Opportunity recognition model from an emerging economy. In Lee, B and Palmer, N.J (Eds) Sheffield Doctoral Conference Proceedings, pp. 19-36. Sheffield: The University of Sheffield Management School Research Office. 

DOCTORATE THESIS

4.  Beeka, B. H (2015) Entrepreneurship as a Viable Career Choice for Nigerian Youth. Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University Doctor of Philosophy Thesis. 

Dr Beem Beeka (MCMI, FHEA) #LEAD #ECC #Career #Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURSHIP BOOKS 

Dr Beem Beeka & Doo Beeka 

5. Wealth Empire State Of Mind: Entrepreneurship Is A Viable Career Choice: Everything You Need To Know About “How To” Start A Business, Get The Job You Want, Gain Wealth & Build A Legacy.

6. How to Start Your Own Business: Entrepreneurship Career Edition 2 (Entrepreneurship Career Startup Edition Book 1)

  

Buy Your #Book today @amazon contribute to your #career development https://tinyurl.com/yasp6so8  http://tiny.cc/4spjdz  #Intrapreneur #Entrepreneur #Employability #EntrepreneurshipCareer #LEAD

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