With cheap computers and computing services, why aren’t we all entrepreneurs? 

Ten years ago, computers were still pretty expensive, but I thought if they become cheaper, I’d become an entrepreneur.  I noticed that there are now a few of businesses that have been created since then, filling some of my ideas, but there are still opportunities!  

I have to wonder if the bursting of the  dot-com bubble  scared away most of us from trying that medium?  Perhaps after seeing the death of so many online business, the population in general, believe that it’s an impossible way to make money?  If so, this is sad, especially today!  

There is so many almost free computing options out there for entry into the online (aka dot-com) arena.  Computer themselves have become practically commodities, hosting services are very cheap, free software has some rock solid products (like wordpress, ubuntu/linux, php, mysql, apache, open office, etc) and there are even a few free DNS (domain name service) provider that will handle your site name to ip address conversion for free (like ZoneEdit.com). 

Okay, typing that last sentence, I realize that there is still a technical barrier to overcome, but it’s not that bad!  Plus, I’m sure there are great tutorials and online blogs and other documentation sources to help people get past that technical hump. 

I don’t think you need to strive to be the next eBay, but why not give it a shot, especially in today’s job market?  I think if I recently graduated from college, and was having a hard time finding a job, I would look hard and long at trying to create an online business on a shoestring budget while looking for employment in parallel!  If you don’t want to be bothered by the techy stuff, go in with a few partners, maybe a techie like me and an accountant.  Even if it’s not highly successful, wouldn’t it look cool on your resume?  Plus, you could even demonstrate your website to your potential employer. 

The key is to try to innovate, expand your presence in the world.  Even if your business flops, it would be cool to tell your kids that you were  once a web entrepeneur in your day 😉 

-MR