SMU Trend Challenge...The "New Entrepreneur"

Our class assignment this week was to analyze how young people (18-35) are redefining their values concerning work, careers and happiness. A key shift in this generation is the rise of entrepreneurs.

Young people are taking their future into their own hands and with that comes a shift in attitude towards work. In this day and age, recent graduates do not want to work for a nagging boss or start off in a entry-level job, they want success and they want it now. Although most know its a far fetched dream and unrealistic, in my personal observations, young people are becoming entrepreneurs as a side job while working in their field of interest, remaining hopeful that credibility will be built, contacts will be made and their once far fetched dream may eventually become a reality.

At SMU, I know several people who have started their own business. Andrea Swain, a senior art history major began designing her own hand bags (http://www.andreaswain.com/) in college.


Harrison Hughes, a senior real estate/finance major, is the CFO of a clothing line called Southern Tide (http://www.southerntide.net/).

"I feel like our generation is itching to be great right after they graduate, and the best way that they can show their creativity to the world is by becoming entrepreneurs," says Swain. "I did not want to sit back and let someone else decide my future. There is a certain rush of excitement and love that one has for something they have created."

Personally, I have always had a dream a becoming a event planner and owning my business with some friends from SMU. After speaking with women who have actually done so, I know it would not be easy. You have to have experience in the field in order to gain any credibility and you have to know people, lots of people, to help you transfer your dream to reality.

Swain calls it "luck." "To make a successful business one can be very hard working and bold, but a lot of it is also luck," explains Swain. "So although being your own boss can sound ideal, you are completely liable for anything that occurs in your business. I started creating handbags, after doing a lot of research, and luckily got in contact with a manufacturer that suited my needs. I plan to expand slowly over time, and eventually moving into other genres of Fashion such as jewelry, shoes etc."

Success comes in various forms, starting from some of the smallest, simplest tasks. Overcoming a challenge or a new venture is another success. It's nothing easy, but if you work hard, get in contact with the right people and know the business well enough, you just might make it happen.

"To me success comes in different stages, says Swain. "Ultimately, it was making my idea a realization, through my hand bag line, web site, business cards, etc. Then actually selling in small boutiques and selling my bags online, brought me another level of success. By starting a business during college I was able to see if I would in fact be able to turn this life long passion into a life long career."

Young people have been breed to be successful. With teachers, parents and adults constantly telling us how hard the workplace can be, how hard it is to make a living, how hard it is to be able to provide for a family, young people in turn are not willing to trust their bosses for that long awaited promotion, they are starting their own businesses and taking a hold of their futures. Entrepreneurs are on the rise with fresh faces and unique ideas, so you better watch out, it's out with the old and in with the new.

Swain states, "As an entrepreneur, I believe you do not reach a glass ceiling of success, the possibilities are instead endless, because you are in the drivers seat."