Captains of Industry

By Lindsey Campbell, Captains of Industry
Generation Y has gotten a bad rap over the years. We’ve been called everything from spoiled to idealistic. And our Disney-like anything-is-possible attitudes have been irking other generations for years. In fact, most Baby Boomers predicted in November 2008 that Gen Y’s blithe spirits would be crushed by the 2009 economic crisis. But in a recent article by Marcy Shinder, VP of Brand Management for American Express, it’s Gen Y’s positive attitudes that have been the most refreshing in an otherwise dismal market.

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, “more than 80% of Gen Y entrepreneurs have a significantly more positive outlook on business prospects versus business owners overall.” This is the type of attitude that any business owner should have if they want to succeed. In fact, one Gen Y Entrepreneur, 24-year old Elliott Bisnow stated, “That one individual can really make changes. I was told so many times that I would fail, that no one would listen to a 22-year-old. I’ve learned that nothing is impossible.” The Gen Y leader now co-owns Bisnow, an e-newsletter company that’s predicted to earn $2 to $3 million this year and Summit Series, a networking and conference organization.

Our parents taught us to believe in ourselves, that anything is possible, and to never EVER take “no” for an answer. And despite the fact that it ticks off almost every other generation before us, it’s the attitude that’s making moves in today’s market.