In today’s dynamic and competitive economy, the terms “entrepreneur” and “businessman” are frequently used. However, while both play fundamental roles in the creation and management of businesses, their approaches, characteristics, and goals can be quite distinct. “Understanding these differences is essential to recognize the unique contributions of each in the market and society”, points out Fábio Farias – cofounder of Nex Franchising.
Entrepreneur
The entrepreneur is the one who identifies opportunities and takes risks to innovate and create something new. Their main focus is on innovation, identifying market gaps, and creating unique solutions. Driven by passion and the aspiration to change the world, entrepreneurs often start their ventures from revolutionary ideas.
However, entrepreneurship is not limited to creating businesses. An individual can be entrepreneurial in their career, seeking personal and professional growth. “You can start as an intern, take a position in the company, become the CEO of a brand or an industry. These people are also entrepreneurs. Moreover, learning a new language, getting a specialization, or seeking extra income by selling something or providing a service are ways to be entrepreneurial in personal life”, explains Farias.
Businessman
On the other hand, the businessman is the one who, besides being an entrepreneur, takes on the administration of a business. The businessman deals with more complex issues, such as managing a CNPJ, employees, taxes, and accounting. They need to balance the entrepreneurial vision with operational efficiency and resilience.
“We find in franchising people who are entrepreneurs, but when it comes to acting as a business owner, having resilience, having some characteristics that are typical of a business owner, people don’t have. And then frustration and discouragement come. The entrepreneur is visionary, but in management fails to achieve the objectives,” notes the specialist.
The relationship between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner is complex but essential for success in the business world. An entrepreneur has an entrepreneurial mindset to innovate and adapt to market changes. However, not every entrepreneur desires or has the capacity to deal with the managerial responsibilities of a business owner.
According to Farias: “Every business owner is an entrepreneur, but not every entrepreneur is a business owner.” This distinction is crucial to understanding the challenges and opportunities that each role offers.
Understanding the difference between being an entrepreneur and a business owner is essential for those who want to enter the world of business. “Both roles are essential and complementary, contributing in unique ways to economic development and innovation. Recognizing their differences and similarities can help businesses and companies achieve a more balanced and consolidated success,” concludes Farias.
