Not Every Business Owner Is An Entrepreneur: Most People Get This Wrong

Not everyone who owns a business is an entrepreneur. And not every entrepreneur should be running a business.

The two are often treated as the same thing, but they are built very differently. One is focused on delivering a skill or service. The other is driven by a vision, a problem to solve, or something bigger they want to create.

In this episode of Honest Brew, we explore the difference between being a business owner and being an entrepreneur, why the distinction matters, and how understanding where you are can help you make better decisions for your brand, marketing, operations, and long term growth.

We also talk about ambition, identity, growth, and the reality that what you want from your business may change over time. Because success is not about fitting someone else's blueprint. It is about building something that aligns with the life you actually want.

A candid conversation between three seasoned business women who've been in the trenches of entrepreneurship. We bridge the gap between the glamorous just market and sell advice and the reality of what it takes to build a sustainable business. While most business content focuses on marketing, branding, OR operations in isolation, we bring all three worlds together. Because your brand culture needs to live in every system you create, your operations need to support your brand promise, and your marketing needs the infrastructure to deliver on what it sells.

We're here for the solopreneurs ready to grow beyond themselves, the partnership survivors rebuilding stronger, and anyone tired of business advice that treats branding, marketing, and operations as separate planets when they're part of one ecosystem.

HOSTS

Cheale Villa, Visual Caffeine, visualcaffeine.com / Monique Johnson, MoJo Design, ...

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:03

Not everyone who owns a business is an entrepreneur. And not every entrepreneur should be running a business. Knowing which one you are isn't an identity crisis, it's a business strategy. Are you actually an entrepreneur, or are you a business owner who got pulled into entrepreneurship because you were really good at something? Or maybe it's just that's the word that everybody uses to just describe owning a business. Because these two things, though, they look identical from the outside, but some late nights, some Instagram, and the same building of something with its own energy, um, they're actually required completely differently. If you were trying to scale using the wrong blueprint, that's probably why it keeps feeling like you're pushing uphill. Today we're going to get into it the difference between the two, why it matters for your brand marketing and operations, and honestly, your sanity. So let's get some clarity here, people. Because which one are you actually? And to get started, I am Shelvia with Visual Cap Bean, and these are my cohorts. Monique Johnson from Mojo Design, Sarah from Indigo Elephant. I remember when I started my business, I loved Inc Magazine. I actually still love Inc Magazine. And if for those of you who don't know about it, it's it's basically it's a business magazine. And they have these lists that they put out the fastest growing businesses. And I had a little post that I made that I wanted to be one of the fastest growing businesses. And this was back in 1998. Well, that didn't happen, but I also learned how much I actually really had a vision for how I wanted my life to be in balance to my work life. And so that was not the rocket I wanted to skyrocket. So we're going to get into the reality of what the difference, though, is into this entrepreneurship. And a lot of times it means rocket ships.

SPEAKER_04 2:24

100% am a business owner. Because I like, I do like stability and I like building things from the ground up and having the process and having a method to everything. I do feel like entrepreneurs are more like visionaries that do one thing after another and they're really good at it. It's just so interesting the difference between the two because I work with both of them as clients, and you could tell right away, you can mark them right away in my mind.

SPEAKER_03 2:54

When this topic came to me, I really was like, oh, is this an episode that I have to ponder? Because I feel like I've always kind of just said, oh, I have a business. I run a business. And I feel like I've kind of grown into more of an entrepreneur based on like how I want to operate. Cause I feel like what I've seen with my clients and even in my own journey is just like, I feel like we all kind of start off as business owners. Like we're getting our hands wet, we're doing all the things, we're learning all of the things. And then I feel like you get to a point where you're hungry to like, you have these big dreams, but you don't have the space to actually do anything with them because you're having to work so much in your business. And I feel like when you want to start working on your business, more of an entrepreneurial mind, because you have the visions. Like, where does the company go? What do I want to do? And how who can I get to help me do this? And so for me right now, I almost feel like I'm moving in that direction because I'm like, oh, I actually want bigger things for myself. Because being an entrepreneur wasn't something I've been dreaming about since I was five. I have. I know you have. I know you have.

SPEAKER_02 3:59

My father was an entrepreneur. So he had a restaurant and then he planted more restaurants. He was very entrepreneurial. He pulled himself out of it. He was more of the CEO. So that influence really impacted me. But I before I go further with anything with what I want to say, based on your feminine geniuses over here, business owner built around a skill or service they provide. The business exists to deliver their expertise. Okay. Entrepreneur is built around a problem to solve. They replace themselves tomorrow if they could. Neither are better. Both are valid and they need to be completely different systems, teams, and growth strategies. The danger zone is entrepreneurs who act like business owners stall out and won't delegate. Business owners who act like entrepreneurs scale before the core is solid. So there's a lot, I think there's some really beautiful distinctions in there. And what I would say for me is I have always been an entrepreneur. I have been operating as a business owner because I had mindset issues and things I needed to and fears I needed to work through. And it's only in the last several years that I've started operating more as an entrepreneur. And I actually got to where I was only doing in the business what I wanted to do. And now I'm getting courageous enough to implement other things, other businesses, other things. And these are things I wanted to do for a long time, but I wasn't in that place in my mind to move forward, to trust that journey. So I say all this in complete vulnerability because I want, I want you who is listening, to understand that these words, one is not better than the other. What it's about is trusting what you actually were meant to do and be. I am very much a visionary person. I I think I'm just literally was born to be an entrepreneur. Like that, I that's the way my brain functions and operates. Letting go can really prevent us from moving path, like moving forward in that path.

SPEAKER_04 6:16

I love that so I love this conversation so much because I never I always thought I am a I am a small business owner, and especially after reading that description, a hundred percent that's me. Like I'm not the person to come up with the next greatest concept and move into that. Like that's just that's not me. Because I do feel like the two words are thrown in together all the time and people use them interchangeably, but they're really are very pretty different from each other. So I think it's great to clarify the two and then kind of understanding like who you how do you fit into it? But I do want to throw out one question to you gals. If you're a small business owner and you want to pivot maybe a service into like a new direction, how do you see that or do you think it's different than someone that calls themselves an entrepreneur and going into a new direction?

SPEAKER_03 7:14

My first thought is there really a difference? Like to me, I was just kind of like, I feel like as a small business owner, if you want to pivot, I feel like that's just you following something you want to do. Like maybe it's a new skill that you want to leverage, or maybe you got inspired for what you're doing and you want to branch into something else because people are asking for it. I feel like that shows innovation. And at the same time, it does show like you listening and adapting your business to like to be of more service. Um, and I think it's at least in my case, I feel like I started as a business owner where I'm like, all right, I'm really good at these things. Let me leverage it. Cause I tried a nine to five, it was not for me. And I feel like at that time I thought small, like, I'll just do these things, like it's not a big deal, blah, blah, blah. But then as time went on, I was like, you know what? I'm actually hungry for more. Like, I kind of want to leave a bigger impact. I'm seeing this big problem. I want to be known for solving this. I feel like that's when the shift happens because you're hungry for something else.

SPEAKER_04 8:14

And now you're making me feel like I'm an entrepreneur. Well, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_03 8:18

That's kind of like, is it like a spectrum? Where are you on the spectrum? Or is it more about like what are your goals or intentions for your business?

SPEAKER_04 8:27

I also think that it depends on how big of a pivot is it? If it's like I was only providing this one main service, and now I'm completely changing to another service, that might be more considered like an entrepreneurial shift. But if it's like, well, I'm just now I'm adding a new kind of design to my branding services, that's a much smaller, and it may just be adding on to um, you know, your list of things that you offer to people.

SPEAKER_02 8:59

I think that that's a very good question. I think there's a few layers in here that I hear. One is that I think that there is entrepreneurial thinking that causes shifts in your business, meaning that you have visionary thinking. You're an artist, of course you have visionary thinking, right? There's also like, you know, I'll work with solopreneurs in coaching, and we really work for them to claim that CEO seat, even though they're one person.

SPEAKER_00 9:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 9:29

But because it doesn't have to do with where your business is right now, it has to do with what mindset do you have in your business. Now, to what Sarah was saying, that hunger, that's the other layer, though, is is the it is it is it pushing you further, or are you are you an entrepreneur that you're keeping yourself in a box? Right. So that's and that's the thing, like that's what I was doing for years. Then I started expanding my team and all of those things. And I also started ideating other businesses, and all of that is a slow process. What I think at the end of the day is trapping yourself in a box or not. I think being an entrepreneur isn't necessarily what you've already created, it's what you what you desire to create or you have a heart to create.

SPEAKER_04 10:18

Yes, and now I go back to I'm a small business owner. I'm not like this.

SPEAKER_02 10:22

You know what? It does, but at the end of the day, it's it's a beautiful identity either way, because you have created something beautiful and sustainable, and you have continuity and you are innovating within that space.

SPEAKER_04 10:38

I still think that in my mind, in I have all right, so I'm gonna give you an example because it's easier to think about. I have a client who came to me and she had a skincare line, right? So we went and did this whole big, beautiful project, and then that project ended, and she came back to me with a completely different, like her and her husband bought a new business, and it was completely had nothing to do with skincare. And to me, that is what it means to be an entrepreneur. It's like having these desires and thoughts and goals, and then like achieving them and keeping this one running, but maybe some starting something new. To me, that that is an example of like an entrepreneur. But for me personally, I've always been in the same zone and I'm comfortable in it and I like being in it. I like providing the services that I provide. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't expand my services or offer new things that are maybe based around new technologies or something. So I think that's kind of maybe a a better way to clarify it is just giving some examples.

SPEAKER_02 11:48

I want to say though, that I think people could be entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurs in heart. It doesn't mean they're taking action on it. Right. Some people are, you know, like like I said, I'm very much an entrepreneur. Have I taken all the action I've wanted to? No, like I was a single mom for a period of time. There are all these different things in our lives that could hinder that. Does that make you it's not the accomplishment of it that defines you as an entrepreneur? I think it's there is a heart there. And I and I feel like Sarah really pointed to it. It was like this shift that she was like, no, I want, I'm hungry for this and whatever, and I have these ideas and I have these problems I want to solve. That is what makes you an entrepreneur. I I can be wrong. Then there is another layer to this, which I'm gonna totally, like, totally mess you guys all up with this one. Then there is the multi-passionate entrepreneur. That's a term that's recently come out, and that's what that person gave you an example of screaming to me because I consider my dad an entrepreneur. He created several restaurants, he definitely was an entrepreneur. So I think that there is also multi-passionate entrepreneurship where you'll have somebody who, yeah, I own a gas station, I own an auto shop, and I also own a drugstore and a I like they're like all over the place. And then there's the people who stay in a certain industry, like I know people who own multiple technology companies. It's all in the same space. I always want to advocate for people to have that courage because I also wanted to box myself. I never, if you would have asked me, I wouldn't have said that I was boxing myself, but what I've learned now is I am. And then Monique, I have one thing for you specifically. Yes, you own more than one business. So, girl. Oh about that. My God.

SPEAKER_04 13:43

Completely different. Oh, that was not my that was not my baby, though. That was my husband's. That's my husband's baby, though. That's not my baby. I'm just part of it.

SPEAKER_02 13:56

I guess everybody's marriage is different. My marriage is whatever we create, we're creating. It's not, it's not a he thing, me thing, it's a we thing. True. I mean, my dad's restaurants were definitely my mom's too. So even though it was his dream. Yeah. Yeah. All right. Anyway, I love this conversation so much because I think it is so important. I think I don't want anyone listening to get caught up into words. This is about going deeper. So I would love if you ladies would tell me having this conversation, is this making you curious about anything in particular with yourselves?

SPEAKER_03 14:38

I'd say yes. That's why I've been so quiet. I'm like just observing and like absorbing. And I'm like, what does this mean to me? Because I feel for me, I was like, what does it matter what I call myself? I just want to make a difference. And I feel like for me, when I like listen to you guys, I was like, I feel like the bigger conversation we're having is more of like, what do you want? You know what I mean? Like, what do you actually want to do? Like, do you just want to stay where you're making a certain income that takes care of your family, doing your little, like, I don't want to say little clients, more like you like having a small client load kind of thing. Or are you hungry to where you want to be a known name in your industry where you're just solving all these things? Or do you want to have different businesses? I think it's something about acknowledging what you want in this season and being okay if that changes over time. Because I feel like over time you do find more about yourself where you're like, oh, I actually like that, or I actually want that, or like I am never doing this again. Like I feel like it's really a growth of who you are as a business owner, and then also reflects how you're growing personally too.

SPEAKER_04 15:50

For me, it's about clarity. When I am clear about who I am, I can move forward. But if I'm not clear about it, I just feel like every step forward is like a step in the mud or something. Like I'm not sure. And so I know I've gone through waves just in this 20-minute conversation, but I do feel solid that I'm a small business owner and I like having, I don't, you know, I don't think one is better or worse than the other. They're just different from each other. And it's good to have the understanding the differences between them and um evaluating for yourself which one you are, or maybe you're a little bit of both. I don't know. I mean, it's hard to it's hard to have that complete distinction, but I think it's a really good conversation to have and feeling settled in that part of your career.

SPEAKER_02 16:52

Well, many business owners become entrepreneurs and uh and vice versa, you know. I I know Seth Godin, he was very much an entrepreneur. Now we just move to being a freelancer. And so I think that there are seasons, but to say you want to change a season right now. You know, I am now working on several things that I'm launching out and I'm making shifts in visual caffeine, and I can really relate to this one. It requires a grieving the version of the business that was built around you. I think one reason I cut myself in a box, I used to just visual caffeine was like my child, and it was like hurting my child, or no, oh my gosh, I'm bringing this other entity in, and what does that mean? I, you know, I know that there was, I had mindset around that, and I was refusing to grieve that. But with that said, you know, measuring how much you are attached to your existing business can hinder or help you move forward into these other things you want to create. And some entrepreneurs realize they actually, the real the ones that realize they actually want to be business owners, that's not a failure. That's clarity. You know, just like we just said, like Seth Godin had that journey. And that's something to also recognize. So where you are right now and where you want to be, maybe two different answers and know that nobody is dictating that time to you. So take the time you need. I certainly have, and it has served me so well. For me, it was a lot of prayer and contemplation and things like that. It's like, and mindset shifts and all these things. But you know, time, allowing yourself time and space to make whatever shifts you want to make, all good. And I think this has been an amazing conversation, and I hope that it has served those listening. You don't have to be an entrepreneur to be successful, you don't have to stay a business owner forever, but you do have to be honest about which one is running the show right now because your brand, your marketing, and your operations are all waiting on that answer. And with that said, last sips.

SPEAKER_03 19:13

From this podcast, what I hope you can take away from this is that I think it's time to get curious on where you're at in this season. Because I feel like that'll really point to you what is or isn't working based on the clarity you have of like, I just like being a business owner or I'm hungry for more. There's no right or wrong answer. It's just what are you craving right now? And to also, I'd say don't be afraid to dream big because you don't know what you might find in those dreams.

SPEAKER_02 19:43

Name it, build it accordingly, and stop borrowing someone else's blueprint. Thank you for being here for our raw conversations. Have a great day.