In the current dynamic and competitive economy, the terms "entrepreneur" and "business owner" are frequently used. However, although both play fundamental roles in business creation and management, their approaches, characteristics, and objectives can be quite different. "Understanding these differences is essential to recognize each one's unique contributions to the market and society," emphasizes Fábio Farias – co-founder of Nex Franchising.
Entrepreneur
The entrepreneur is someone who identifies opportunities and takes risks to innovate and create something new. Your main focus is on innovation, identifying gaps in the market, and creating unique solutions. Driven by passion and the aspiration to change the world, entrepreneurs often start their ventures based on revolutionary ideas.
However, entrepreneurship is not limited to business creation. An individual can be an entrepreneur in their career, seeking personal and professional growth. You can start as an intern, take a position in the company, become CEO of a brand or industry. These people are also entrepreneurs. Furthermore, learning a new language, pursuing a specialization, or seeking extra income by selling something or providing a service are ways to undertake in personal life, explains Farias.
Businessperson
The businessman is someone who, in addition to being an entrepreneur, takes on the management of a business. The businessman deals with more complex issues, such as managing a CNPJ, employees, taxes, and accounting. He needs to balance the entrepreneurial vision with operational efficiency and resilience.
“In franchising, we find people who are entrepreneurs, but when it comes to exercising the role of a businessman, having resilience, having some things that are characteristic of a businessman, these people do not have them. And frustration and discouragement set in. The entrepreneur is visionary, but in management he cannot achieve his goals,” observes 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 innovative mindset and the ability to adapt to market changes. However, not all entrepreneurs wish or have the capacity to handle the managerial responsibilities of a business owner.
According to Farias: "Every businessman is an entrepreneur, but not every entrepreneur is a businessman." This distinction is fundamental to understanding the challenges and opportunities that each role offers.
Understanding the difference between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner is essential for those who wish 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 more balanced and consolidated success," concludes Farias.
