(reprinted from May 2009 – San Jose State’s internal academic papers. Issues raised are still relevant today, though.)

“Today’s Entrepreneurs: New Financial, Old Logistical Challenges, Yet Reasons for Optimism”

–          CRISTINA DEPTULA

Many Americans celebrate entrepreneurship as an alternate pathway to success for the especially innovative and talented. With the current economic downturn, though, more people, immigrants and native-born, are turning to entrepreneurship because they have trouble finding regular employment. For some, working for oneself becomes a survival strategy rather than a long-range dream.

Organizing and managing a business may prove harder for these new business owners, with less managerial experience and know-how, and often less money and lower credit scores, than the entrepreneurs of the past.

However, many experts who work with local organizations assisting small businesses believe entrepreneurship can still represent a viable way to earn a living and help rejuvenate our economy, even for the changing demographic of entrepreneurs.

You may finish the article here: http://community.livejournal.com/chaos_zine/5990.html

Cristina Deptula is a freelance journalist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She may be reached at cedeptula@sbcglobal.net and encourages everyone to try Paula Tejeda’s Chile Lindo restaurant!