The entrepreneurial spirit

First of all, that is a very hard word to spell quickly: entrepreneurial.

Many of our members and readers are entrepreneurs already. If you're a singer, a technician, a founder of a company or festival (whether opera-related or not) you are an entrepreneur (yeah, it doesn't get easier the more times you write it!) According to the Freelancer's Union, independent workers make up about 30% of the American workforce. I would go so far as to say that pretty much that entire number is, was, or will at some time be an entrepreneur because, let's face it, working as a contractor in a consulting firm, starting your own cookie business, or working to make it as an opera singer is pretty much all the same: working outside the framework of a company to further your career and make money.

So I decided to learn a bit more about entrepreneurs in today's world, specifically women entrepreneurs. Why women? Not because I'm interested in continuing the conversation about why women have a harder time of it in the world than men, why we should be given a head start or any preferential treatment or any of that, but because as someone starting her own business, I thought it would be useful to get perspectives from other women on how they did it.

I learned one of the most vital lessons of my business career so far last night at an event in New York City entitled, rather drastically, "Numbers, Goals, and Business Plans, OH MY!" Yeah, not the best. This is what I learned:

1) You must have vision, clear and overpowering vision, to bring your ideas to fruition
2) Women are typically scared to death to talk about money
3) Women typically feel guilty for wanting to make money
4) You can not achieve any of the goals set out in your vision if you can not make your business profitable, because without profit it cannot grow.

It's that simple. Companies with no profit cannot grow. Well, that's not true. It money grew on trees (which I'm still waiting for, by the way) or you magically received 25 million dollars from an anonymous donor, it would be possible. But in the real world it's not. SO.....

Do I feel awkward that The Opera Insider will offer some parts of its website for a small fee? Yeah, I do sometimes. Guilty on that count. Do I do any number of singing gigs for free because I think it will lead to something bigger, better, greater? You bet. Can I achieve my vision for TOI, more specifically can I offer real support to small companies, festivals, and up-and-coming artists, enhance the experience of opera for lovers of the art form from both sides of the curtain around the globe, and help to reignite the wonderful concept of arts patronage on my own? Nope. I can't.

My vision for TOI is great, it's huge! And I can't wait to bring it to all of you. So thanks again for your continued support. To all the entrepreneurs out there, good luck and congratulations, and I can't wait to see you at the top!