The Early Entrepreneur : Or a Freelancer?

Are you a freelancer?  If so, are you an entrepreneur?  If you google, you will find some articles, and some I have referred.

But what is important, is that both do what they want.  The idea is to show that freelancing is also entrepreneurship in a particular way.

Am I a freelancer or an entrepreneur?

Now, a simple definition is that, if you rely, use and sell your own skills or services, then it is freelancing.  Now, that means that you will be identified by your skill  - like a painter, architect, artist etc.,

On the other hand entrepreneurship is about creating something, involving others, getting things done which involve multiple risk aspects.

In both cases however, the brand is the 'self', especially in the initial stages of entrepreneurship or in all the stages of freelancing.  The initiative to connect, position and sell, and conclude a contract; the commitment to deliver the promise and then collecting the revenue ( cash in bank); the clear demarcation about the philosopher and the doer; -are all hallmarks of both.

Krishna was a true blue entrepreneur, in the context of running the war-enterprise of Mahabharatha - a visionary, dealt with problems, help create leaders- the second line -the executioners, resolved problems.  And Ram, while took an army to run the Ramayana's war-enterprise, was a doer himself - he wielded the bow and arrow - so he would fit more of the freelancer mold.  

Freelancing limits risks to one self, whereas entrepreneurship pushed risk-taking to another level - involving finance, legal, operational, human resources related risks.   And entrepreneurship identify themselves with the industry rather than their skill.

Now there are the Picassos who are among the most successful freelancers, to the Bill Gates among the most successful entrepreneurs.  Fame is not the measure, scale is.  Entrepreneurship at some time, definitely have to mull with the 'scale' element, whereas, a freelance is limited by, technically, his/her time of the day.

I am a freelancer in some sense - when I act as a sales coach, I sell my time and skills.  I sell, I execute and I collect the payment.   When I author a book, it is the same.  However, when I work as a partner in running an organization, then I am an entrepreneur.  So, even in a person, both can co-exist.

Freelancer = Entrepreneur!!!

When you start up, from college, seeking early entrepreneurship, you should know these differences. Even in freelancing, a business plan would be required - as your skill needs to find a market, then position itself and then get a customer to serve.  In that regard, our 'early entrepreneurship' services can help you even if you are a freelancer.

If you are an entrepreneur - the entire portfolio is there anyways.  You can read the entire series of early entrepreneurs in ashok-speaks,blogspot.com.   And if you are interested in this topic or the services, you can write to me at the1.speaks@gmail.com

- Ashok Speaks

Earlier, on Early Entrepreneur series:

It takes two to tango!

Better sorry than safe!
Garage Gangs!
The Dropout Kid!

 References: http://thefreelancery.com/2012/03/the-freelance-mind-vs-the-entrepreneurial-mind/