Hurry or no rush?

Currently, the use of the word “scammer” is used as a positive way of describing yourself as someone who has an entrepreneurial streak or starts a new business.

Since the 19th century, con man meant “thief” and, in particular, someone who was aggressive towards his victims. Today, the dictionary still holds this definition true, describing a con man in a negative light: a thief or a criminal; a gold digger or a prostitute; too aggressive a seller (OED, 2015). In modern music (mostly ghetto rap), “rush” refers to a way to make money and do it through thick and thin. Perhaps the latter is where startups are inspired?

Scammers work for immediate cash flow gratification, without a long-term vision. It’s about a foot in the door, a constant drive to keep making money, it’s about making the next sale.

As an entrepreneur, I would NEVER want to be called a “scammer”.

Why rush when you can “start a business”?

Being an entrepreneur may mean overcoming obstacles and making money, but it is definitely NOT rushing. Emerging entrepreneurs find ways to earn money, but they do so ethically and in terms of a defined growth strategy. Entrepreneurs build a business, own the business, delegate, strategize, and think ahead. They link things, they are connectors: companies, ideas and people. Entrepreneurs create systems, contingency plans, develop others, and (probably most notably) entrepreneurs consider exit planning.

The real meaning of entrepreneur?

It comes from the old French, “to undertake companies”. What is the company? Well that’s work. The characteristics of an entrepreneur were added in the 15th century: a person with “an adventurous disposition, a disposition to face challenges and a daring spirit” (Harper, 2015). In recent definitions, “who starts a company; who owns and manages a company; who assumes the risk of profit or loss” (OED, 2015).

Which side of the coin are you on?

Hustler vs Entrepreneur …

Semantics matter

Words change meaning over time, that’s a common thing. But the change from negative use to positive use (from derogation to improvement) is very rare. Between entrepreneur and scammer, we have to reflect. From a linguistic perspective, something to look at here. From a fresh business perspective, you must decide which side of the coin you are on.

I guess the choice lies in this:

Are you starting an ethical business as an owner and manager, with an adventurous disposition, a disposition to face challenges, a spirit of daring to take risks of profit and loss?

Yes?

So you are an entrepreneur, NOT a scammer.

~ A.

—

Direct references:

-Harper, D. (2015). Etymology Dictionary via http://www.etymonline.com/

-OED – Oxford Dictionary of English (2015). Through http://www.oed.com/