The Entrepreneurial Itch

Because I have the entrepreneurial itch, I’m always on the look-out for it in the people and events around me. It can be truly inspiring when you see it.

I found a great example recently as I was watching a movie – one of my favourite pastimes.

The movie was called In Her Shoes, based on the novel by Jennifer Weiner. It’s an engrossing tale of two completely different sisters who eventually learn to appreciate one another. What caught my eye was that both sisters have the entrepreneurial itch. Rose (Toni Collette) is a workaholic lawyer who happens upon a business as a “freelance dog walker.” No real research done at all – she is walking a dog that was left at her house, and people who know the dog’s owner ask her how much she charges. She sets up a deal with a kennel to refer clients to her in exchange for half of the fees. It helps her create a life she actually enjoys after she quits her stressful job.

Maggie (Cameron Diaz … wow!) is a scatterbrained party girl who visits her grandmother Ella (Shirley MacLaine) in Florida on a whim. She ends up helping one of Ella’s friends buy a new outfit for a special occasion. Another woman asks Maggie if she would do the same for her and offers to pay for her help.

“Do you think there’s other women down here who would?” Maggie asks Ella. “Are you kidding? Scads,” is Ella’s response. Maggie says she’s thinking of “doing it like a business.” Ella’s response? “Well, that’s an excellent idea.” Maggie admits she isn’t good with numbers, to which Ella replies, “Well, I’m good with numbers. I could help if you like.” “Yeah, sure, that’d be good,” Maggie says, and a business is born. Within days, the lineups start – Maggie is busy full time and finally ahs a direction to her life and money in the band. I love movies with happy endings like this!