We are driving on India’s National Highway, the country’s largest interstate highway and the direct path from our small town in Gujarat to Mumbai, the closest international airport. We pass through a town called Bharuch, a blip on the map, another town in the line of many on a four hour drive. There is a little traffic jammed up; the driver tells us it is a common occurrence because of the bottleneck a new toll system creates up ahead. I look outside of the car and see a young man staring into the window, close. I am a little startled, not expecting him there. Then I realize he is selling something.
Bharuch is locally famous for dried chickpeas and salted peanuts, a favorite snack to pair with a cold beer for Indians. He is holding packs upon packs of these famous packaged snacks, reminiscent of Indian trail mix, and is selling them to passers by with a smile and a sales flourish. This kid could have sold water to the ocean, the way he spoke.
And I could not help but think of life giving you lemons and your ability to make lemonade. The addition of the tollway by this town and all this new traffic is a nuisance by anyone’s standards. It’s a pain for the passengers who get 30 minutes added to their journey. It’s a nuisance to the town, idling cars causing pollution and noise in their area.
But this young man, 20 years old I learn, has taken a nuisance and found an opportunity. He has found a way to bring income to his home, more money into this small town, and a way to entertain and provide a desired good to passers by. Talk about entrepreneurship.
India has been eye-opening when I think of entrepreneurship. Opportunities are sparse in a country with 1.5 billion+ people. But driving around in India you see young and old entrepreneurs alike, turning a struggle into a business. People here are very good at finding opportunity.
As I drove home today, I saw a shop standing on a rolling cart. A convenience store that provided everything locals needed without running to the closest town, all no bigger than a bicycle. This man has spent his entire life, and provided for his entire family, by finding a need, an opportunity and building into it.
So what is your hidden opportunity? What problem are you not seeing addressed in your community and how can you be that solution. Because, that solution is probably a business waiting to be created. How can you be an entrepreneur and do some good at the same time?
Bharuch is locally famous for dried chickpeas and salted peanuts, a favorite snack to pair with a cold beer for Indians. He is holding packs upon packs of these famous packaged snacks, reminiscent of Indian trail mix, and is selling them to passers by with a smile and a sales flourish. This kid could have sold water to the ocean, the way he spoke.
And I could not help but think of life giving you lemons and your ability to make lemonade. The addition of the tollway by this town and all this new traffic is a nuisance by anyone’s standards. It’s a pain for the passengers who get 30 minutes added to their journey. It’s a nuisance to the town, idling cars causing pollution and noise in their area.
But this young man, 20 years old I learn, has taken a nuisance and found an opportunity. He has found a way to bring income to his home, more money into this small town, and a way to entertain and provide a desired good to passers by. Talk about entrepreneurship.
India has been eye-opening when I think of entrepreneurship. Opportunities are sparse in a country with 1.5 billion+ people. But driving around in India you see young and old entrepreneurs alike, turning a struggle into a business. People here are very good at finding opportunity.
As I drove home today, I saw a shop standing on a rolling cart. A convenience store that provided everything locals needed without running to the closest town, all no bigger than a bicycle. This man has spent his entire life, and provided for his entire family, by finding a need, an opportunity and building into it.
So what is your hidden opportunity? What problem are you not seeing addressed in your community and how can you be that solution. Because, that solution is probably a business waiting to be created. How can you be an entrepreneur and do some good at the same time?