As I mentioned in my last blog, it disturbs me to witness conflicts between entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs. There is no need to show that your choice is better. The world needs both, so we should celebrate each other’s success.

Let us accept that “wantrepreneur” is a humorous or light-hearted way to describe individuals with entrepreneurial aspirations who haven’t yet taken significant action. But don’t we all have some dream or other that we cannot pursue till its fulfilment? Some wanted to become singers and got trained but are now running a business and running it well, while someone else might have wanted to be a painter but, owing to work pressure, has not found time to hold a brush. There are many such examples in life. It would be quite exceptional to find someone whose work life matches the dreams the person had during their formative years.

Both have their positives that should be acknowledged.

Entrepreneurs are known for their ability to act and turn their ideas into reality. They actively seek out opportunities, take calculated risks, and make decisions to take their businesses toward success. They typically possess or get trained in industry knowledge and skills and use their experience to navigate challenges. They may have learned from past successes or failures or built a network of contacts who help them in the journey. But let us face the fact the world judges entrepreneurs by the success of their ventures. A successful entrepreneur creates a sustainable business that generates profits, provides customer value, and contributes to the economy. But many may not reach that point and keep struggling throughout their journey, waiting for that one chance that turns things around. The positive part for these entrepreneurs is that while they may not earn high profits, they still earn a lot in experience.

On the other hand, wantrepreneurs often bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table, unburdened by the constraints that entrepreneurs may face. Their lack of experience may lead to unique approaches and solutions to problems. While they might be unable to take the plunge, wantrepreneurs keep observing and learning from successful entrepreneurs’ experiences and failures. They read case studies, attend workshops, and gain knowledge hoping that one day they will dive into entrepreneurship. Wantrepreneurs keep testing their ideas, conducting market research, and validating their assumptions investing significant time and resources into their dreams, even without starting a business. This can help them identify potential pitfalls and refine their strategies, reducing the risks of starting a venture. This gives them enough time to acquire relevant skills, build networks, and develop a strong foundation to enable them if they ever start their entrepreneurial journey. It is commendable how they focus on personal and professional growth without the immediate pressures and responsibilities of running a business.

Let me sum up by saying that nothing is constant in the industry. Do not be surprised if wantrepreneurs turn into entrepreneurs. Even if they don’t, instead of rebuking them, entrepreneurs should trying benefitting from their calibre while giving them a sense of entrepreneurial fulfilment in return. On the other hand, wantrepreneurs should respect struggling entrepreneurs and try to provide them with knowledge, ideas, or even investment so that their dreams may be fulfilled.

A win-win for both.