Honeysuckle is proud to present Nadya’s Entrepreneurial Corner, a running column that provides special insight into the ever-changing world of entrepreneurship. Through exclusive interviews and op-eds, expert Nadya Rousseau explores how innovative minds are moving us forward every day – and what you can do to make progress happen for yourself.
The world has many different definitions of entrepreneurship. Our friends at Wikipedia say, “Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which is more often than not initially a small business, offering a product, process or service for sale or hire. The people who create these businesses are called ‘entrepreneurs.’” Investopedia (the country’s leading investment education site) says “Entrepreneurs bring good ideas to market,” and are “necessary risk-takers.” Drier finance-focused explanations may go on and on.
But here’s the thing: I think entrepreneurs do more than stimulate the economy. Entrepreneurs at their heart are changemakers. Entrepreneurs understand that innovations, whether a new dating app, electric car, or vegan ice cream, have the potential to change our cultural framework. The question is, are we always creating products or services that improve our way of living? Could these products or services solve, even inadvertently, the social problems that plague our world? The uncertain answer: Sometimes, but not always.
What I am certain about is the need to dig deeper to identify our core purpose. Everywhere we turn, there is a new entrepreneur creating this or that—and I think it’s fantastic. However, in a time when issues like systemic racism, social disconnection, rampant violence, sexism, and economic disparities remain ubiquitous, we must find ways to harness our entrepreneurial skillsets for the betterment of the world. We begin by telling our stories.
Through the power of storytelling, innovation, and community, we can create lasting change. For entrepreneurs focused on building their financial empire—that’s awesome. But I believe social good and monetary success are NOT mutually exclusive. Welcome to Nadya’s Entrepreneurial Corner: where impact, entrepreneurship, and storytelling meet for social good. Are you ready to tell your story?
-Nadya
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Nadya Rousseau is a Los Angeles-based digital marketing consultant and new media entrepreneur. She has worked with clients ranging from startups, to nationally recognized law firms, to nonprofits, to entertainers and more. Recently, Nadya established the Social Media Storytelling Academy with the goal of supporting thousands of professionals worldwide with sophisticated and cutting-edge social media education based in powerful storytelling strategies. When she’s not working, she can be found savoring a double espresso macchiato somewhere cool. Follow her adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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