Lately, I’ve been wondering where all the innovation and drive has gone in America. The “Greatest Generation” (grew up during the Great Depression and fought in WWII) had no problem starting things. My “Pops” (Grandpa) came home after the war and started his own upholstery business (Laubacher Upholstery) which is still in business today and run by my Uncle. Without any money, he worked out of a garage with tools and a truck borrowed from friends. It was hard work but he had a dream and made it happen. One thing I’ve come to understand is that he didn’t let fear get in the way. He wasn’t afraid to fail and just started.
There are thousands of stories about people just like my “Pops” from “The Greatest Generation.” It seems like it is much harder to find stories like that nowadays. People seem to be so complacent with their “job security” and are afraid to lose that.
Fear plays a large role in starting something but the people that overcome that fear seem to have a very fulfilling life.
Is Generation Y the answer? Do they have the entrepreneurial spirit to bring that drive back to America? The things brewing up in the Silicon Valley are pretty amazing.
Time will tell…
