What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do?

Bob's back in the job market and looking for a fulfilling career. He thinks entrepreneurship might be right for him. Seamus helps him understand what entrepreneurs actually do and they discuss the risks and benefits of entrepreneurship on this episode of Common Sense Soapbox.

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Written by Seamus Coughlin & Jennifer Maffessanti
Animated by Seamus Coughlin
Produced by Sean W. Malone

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LINKS:

[FreedomToons]

Really happy with the way this turned out. Thanks so much for the gig, FEE!

[prestonianone]

I am a high schooler. My school sold packs of 2 Pop Tarts for $1. They recently swapped them for packs of 1 whole grain Pop Tart (that tastes like dirt) but kept the price at $1. I came to school the next day with a duffel bag full of packs of 2 regular Pop Tarts and have been selling those for $1 each. Three weeks later, I have made over $100 profit and am now regularly making $20+ each day.
Thankfully my school is very supportive of student ventures like this and hasn’t shut me down. I am an entrepreneur. I took the risk of buying $20 worth of Pop Tarts, spent time to get to school early, stay late, and run to and from class to have time to sell in between classes, miss out on lunches, and not hang out with friends during lunches. I have made some money, I took a risk to make it, and continue to devote time and reinvesting cash back into it to continue making money. This is what starting a business is like. I do 100% of the work, and I get to keep 100% of the profits.

For those who think this isn’t legal, I live in Utah, which recently passed a little thing called the Lemonade Stand Law, and I have permission of the school to conduct business on their property. I also have a food handlers permit, but the Pop Tarts are prepackaged anyway.

[jasoncoopersmith]

“A society which is friendly to entrepreneurship is a society which rewards those who serve the needs of others.”

Wow, that’s powerful!

[litigioussociety]

It's easier to use force, and make people support your business through taxation or the government sanctioning your business as a monopoly.

[reginaldscot]

I'm in my 3rd year of my business... it's great being independent and working for yourself... but it takes all the money you have, all your time, harder work than you have ever done and lots of stress management.

[urusledge]

Ooooh, look at me, I'm Seamus McIrishpants, and I draw myself drinking Guinness.

[Hibernial]

These shorts are always so good!

“As per usual, you have significantly made this less fun for me.” Haha.

I’m sure some in the comments will point out government facilitated cronyism and it’s practices as opposed to entrepreneurial businesses, but it’s still well stated that “The employees know they’re getting a paycheck; the employer doesn’t.”

[owlblocksdavid]

"If they have found a way to meet society's needs, their business will be successful, and they'll be able to make a living."

Or they'll get shut down by occupational licensing laws.

[arcticfoxgaming]

What an entrepreneurs usually do is that they see a problem and offer a solution. I highly recommend is for children to learn the basics of risk taking in a business by selling things like lemonade or chocolates. What is said in the video is true, I remember selling chocolates and having some days with good business and other days little to none at all.


The important thing about being an entrepreneur is taking risks, but also having patience. Not anyone can have a successful business, but successful business can come from anywhere.

[Boristien]

Real education 👍🏽 keep it up FEE and Seamus

[TheDayFamilyVlogs]

Sad part is my generation actually needs these videos for education, I'm 29. Love the work.

[victorrene]

This is true. It took me 2 years to start making a living and sustaining myself. Those 2 years were full of losses and risks. Also full of rewards and hard work. Kept pushing to get the job done. If i got a flat tire I biked, if my bike got a flat tire I walked. Takes perseverance to keep the wheels going. Then the other aspects of supplies and material. Profit money and money to resupply then customer service and etc. Its easier to be a employee. People think being your own boss means sitting back and watching the money flow in without lifting a finger.

[Justin_Joy]

Entrepreneurs also gotta pay their workers high minimum wages

[sblower]

We should all respect our enter printers!

[borkerman]

Is Seamus drinking Guinness


He has prove that he is Irish

[psycomutt]

Thanks for supporting Seamus, FEE. I love his work that you guys are using his talent to spread the message.

[kolab]

I like how the lesson was played into the background of their conversation. It was a nice touch.

[jesseknox]

Im a business owner and its freaking difficult. Im starting two businesses and holy smokes trying to balance everything you wonder if im making money at all, but the freedom is worth more

[wagesofsinn]

I've taken over a martial arts business from my senior master while he's in recovery and asked if he thought we should just give away Self Defense classes for free because it's an essential part of survival skills. He said no because not only is Self Defense the first thing that we teach to people, but it's also an important draw to get people to start their martial arts training initially.

[ryandoherty]

I’m planning on being a politician. Hopefully I can change my town for the better and get rid of laws that contribute nothing to keeping our citizens free and safe. Plus I don’t think a higher education is needed, since most politicians aren’t that educated in the first place, so I think this career path is a good fit for me.