Entrepreneurship has long been regarded as a thrilling, empowering and risky pursuit. But in the rapid-fire, fast-paced digital world we live in, has the game changed for better or worse?
The prospect of successful business in our presents times can be seen as a limitless opportunity filled with profound breakthroughs —or an exhausting, high-stakes hustle that can easily get drowned out in oversaturated markets.
Many point to Fashion Nova, Gymshark, Glossier and brand-savvy influencers, like fitness mogul Kayla Itsines and, the most extreme example, Jeff Bezos, as pillars of creating success from scratch online.
Here are three reasons it’s easier to be an entrepreneur today—and three reasons it’s harder.
How entrepreneurs have it easier now
1. Access to global markets & digital tools
Thanks to the internet, entrepreneurs can now sell products or services worldwide without ever opening a storefront.
Platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and even TikTok have transformed the way small businesses reach customers.
Add free tools like Canva, ChatGPT, and Google Analytics, and you’ve got a powerful digital toolkit once reserved for large corporations.
2. Lower startup costs
You no longer need a big investment to launch a brand. Freelancers can start consulting businesses with just a laptop.
Creators can launch content empires from their bedrooms. You can even validate a business idea with little more than a social media account or email list.
Some of the most successful digital ad campaigns have offered little production value.
3. Stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems
From incubators and accelerators to crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, support for startups is abundant.
There is also an abundance of free courses, online mentors, and community events designed to help entrepreneurs grow.
With a strategy, audience-targeting, and some luck your content could catch the attention of celebrities, investors and possibly business magnates.
In that sense, there are technically a less barriers than before where you had to arrange a meeting and get through multiple doors before accessing the people and audiences that would support your business.
How entrepreneurs have it harder
1. Oversaturation & intense competition
With the barrier to entry lower than ever, markets are more crowded. Every niche seems to have ten influencers, five apps, and three “must-have” products already dominating the space. Standing out today often takes as much marketing savvy as it does a great product.
As cliche as it may sound, leaning into your unique personality and bringing it into your brand is critical to connecting with people on a human level. This is especially the case now more than ever in a world of chronic information overload and digital overstimulation.
2. Always-on culture & burnout
Entrepreneurs are expected to be active on every platform, respond in real-time, and constantly adapt. There’s little separation between work and personal life in the digital age, and hustle culture can glorify burnout rather than balance.
Burnout is serious. It can lead to challenging feelings of depression, exhaustion and apathy that make it difficult to fulfill even the most basic life tasks. If you believe you are dealing with burnout, click here for more information and to learn ways to recover in a sustainable fashion.
3. Sky-high customer expectations
Today’s consumers expect deliveries made at the speed-of-light, fast, intuitive and seamless digital experiences, and immediate, thorough communication with customer service.
These standards have largely been set by multi-billion dollar, if not trillion-dollar brands, like Apple and Amazon. Start-ups and small-medium sized business owners are being pressured to meet a criteria that is not feasible at certain stages of growth.
Automating your business as much as possible without overspending and disconnecting from your customers can be a tricky balancing act.
The verdict?
So, is it easier or harder to be an entrepreneur today? The answer really depends on your perspective, chance and opportunity—and your goals, of course.
If you value agility, independence, and have a knack for digital tools, today’s environment can be fun, dynamic and refreshing.
If you’re (understandably) weary of the ever-evolving landscape of technology and relentless battle to be heard above so many competing brand voices, it’s easy to feel the weight of the modern entrepreneurial grind.
Entrepreneurs in this period of history may face fewer logistical barriers — but more emotional, social and competitive ones.
The never-ending game
Some say the playing field has been leveled with the rise of social media and digital marketing. At the same time, the strength and impact of your strategy and content can heavily depend on financial standing, social status, work ethic and, of course, a dash of luck.
So while the game definitely has some uneven bumps and hills, with a collection of stepping stones, it is faster and more crowded than ever.
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