The Kamikaze Entrepreneur

ka·mi·ka·ze : a Japanese term literally meaning "God" or "spirit" (kami) "wind" (kaze). Usually translated as "divine wind" (used as a noun and an adjective).

en·tre·pre·neur : a French word, which comes from an even older word meaning "to undertake". Interestingly enough, a similar-sounding Sanskrit word meaning "self-motivated" is thought to be historically related. Literally, a "self-motivated undertaker"; and we can at last understand why we've adapted the lovely French word instead of its English equivalent.

An entrepreneur, no matter how much of an innovator, organizer, or manager, is first and foremost a risk-taker. A good entrepreneur will identify these risks and attempt to eliminate them before sinking in too deep, but nevertheless risks have always, and will always, be present. We self-proclaimed entrepreneurs often go into things a bit kamikaze, hurling headlong into an unknown and unwelcoming market with big dreams and little knowledge. Still, this is not why I choose to highlight the kamikaze kind of entrepreneur. This person is perhaps without experience and knowledge, but it is precisely this "greenness" that allows him or her to be swept up in the whirlwinds of unassuming inspiration. Though one may hear their sound or feel them brush across the face, none can quite tell from where they come from or to where they go. And for this reason it is the kamikazes who will soar on these winds; risking a fall to the death over defeat by fear, and in hopes of reaching the heights where sorrows melt and bluebirds fly and dreams come true....

But why blog about this? You may know that blogs usually make me cynical, and I tend to laugh at them rather than read them. But upon request I have taken up the challenge to blog my findings as I begin my career of a self-employed researcher. My promise to the readers is that this will not be my online diary, nor my online trophy case. My goal instead is to present an online research journal and brainstorming outlet for those of you like me who are entrepreneurs at heart. Yes, at heart and perhaps not yet in action, but as Willa Cather wrote in her book O Pioneers!, "The history of every country begins in the heart of a man or a woman." Maybe the same for the history of every business? At least the kind that we kamikaze entrepreneurs dream of. 

Don't confuse us with the mere dreamers of the world. Dreamers dream but don't always act, while we will attempt - one little rise at a time, upon each little breath of wind - to bring the things of our dreams to life.