Released Feb. 4, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. -- Expand, honor, support and advocate the entrepreneurial spirit in your community by celebrating entrepreneurship in America Feb. 23 – March 1.
The week will focus on the heritage of entrepreneurship in America and new opportunities for a new generation.
This celebration is designed to increase the visibility of National Entrepreneurship Week in the United States, said Glenn Muske, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service interim associate dean, assistant director, family and consumer sciences.
“There are many goals to encourage lifelong learning that prepares new leaders for the future,” Muske said. “National Entrepreneurship Week allows all kinds of people to learn about entrepreneurship education and opportunities in its many forms that are going on locally. It also brings awareness to the impact entrepreneurship has on the economy.”
People may ask themselves, why start your own business?
Muske said one obvious reason is for income. Yet for many entrepreneurs, income is only part of the picture.
“Forty-eight percent of Oklahoma entrepreneurs are doing it as a way of life and another 25 percent consider it a mix between a way of life and a way to earn income,” he said. “Other entrepreneurs start a business in order to spend more time with family or to be able to use one’s creativity.”
For others, it provides a way to stay in an area where they want to live and more see it as a way to enhance the quality of life within the local community.
To encourage entrepreneurship, especially in youth, an important concept is to introduce them to the possibility of owning their own business as an adult, or even as a youth.
Muske said anyone who values entrepreneurs and what they have done for the economy and values the opportunity for people to improve skills as entrepreneurs are encouraged to celebrate National Entrepreneurship Week.
Chambers of Commerce are in a unique position to develop and mentor entrepreneurs, he said. Local communities can also ensure that regular educational programs are held that cover the basics of starting and operating a business.
National Entrepreneurship Week was initiated in February 2007 with a special focus on entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurs in the United States.
Muske said the OCES is able to help entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing educational materials and workshops. For more information contact your local county Extension educator.
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Contact: Katie L. Reim, (405) 744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu
