ENTREPRENEURS SEEK PASSION IN WAKE OF SEPT 11TH

New York, NY April, 2002--While most pundits paint a gloomy picture for the economy as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, there's one segment of the business world that appears to be booming: entrepreneurial activity. Undaunted by predictions of lowered consumer spending and economic uncertainty, increasing numbers of people are seeking to capitalize on their passions, hobbies and skills in an effort to increase their income streams.

New York, NY April, 2002--While most pundits paint a gloomy picture for the economy as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, there's one segment of the business world that appears to be booming: entrepreneurial activity. Undaunted by predictions of lowered consumer spending and economic uncertainty, increasing numbers of people are seeking to capitalize on their passions, hobbies and skills in an effort to increase their income streams.

   "Sure there's uncertainty, but that's translating into people seeking more options," says Walt F.J. Goodridge, career coach and author of Turn Your Passion Into Profit (ISBN 0962920290; Amazon.com; $39.50). Goodridge, a former engineer who followed his own passion for writing and sharing information, has seen interest in his "Passion to Profit" series of books and workshops and hits on his website (www.turnyourpassionintoprofit.com)increase since the beginning of the year. "By nature, entrepreneurs want to control their destinies. But now, in light of recent events, they want to spend their days doing something that they are really passionate about, that they feel is making a difference, and that can make money at the same time."

    This unique breed of entrepreneurs, whom Goodridge calls "Passion Seekers", are not launching traditional businesses like fast-food franchises or direct sales distributorships. Instead, they are asking "What do I love to do?" and then searching for the hidden profit in these activities and pastimes. He adds, "I've met people who've turned their love for horses, kites, wine tasting, golf and even shopping into ventures that earn millions!"

   That there is profit in one's passions shouldn't come as a surprise. According to Gordon Mawhinney of the VA-based, Young Entrepreneurs Organization (www.yeo.org), "The best companies in the world come from people who are passionate and excited about what they are building, and are usually in the fields they know the most about!"

   According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) "small businesses create two of every three new jobs, produce 39% of the nation's gross national product, and invent more than half the nation's technological innovation." This trend, therefore, is seen as a sign of hope by many observers. The more excited small business owners are about creating new products and services, the better chance that excitement will spread to the consumer! For more information on the passion seeker trend, plus resources for turning your own passion into profit, visit www.turnyourpassionintoprofit.com

Walt F.J. Goodridge (walt@waltgoodridge.com) is author of several books including Turn Your Passion Into Profit: Information, Inspiration & Ideas to Help You Make Money Doing What You Love. Join the Passion Seekers Network, discover your Passion Personality, and preview his newest book, The Tao of Wow, at www.TurnYourPassionIntoProfit.com. Look for Walt's article on this trend featuring interviews with millionaire passion seekers in the Fall/Winter 2002 issue of Entrepreneur's BE YOUR OWN BOSS Magazine.
            ###