Nerdpreneur?
In the ever-evolving world of business, a new breed of entrepreneur has emerged, one that blends nerdy obsession with the innovative spirit of entrepreneurship: the Nerdpreneur.
The term Nerdpreneur is playful and may even sound a bit silly at first. You might ask why do nerdy business people need their own moniker at all? And if they do, why not call themselves “Entrepre-nerds” instead? It is a much better pun after all. However I think, Nerdpreneur is the right term to describe this emerging class of business person. The reason is, with Nerdpreneurs, being a Nerd comes first.
So what is a NERD-preneur?
Let’s look at the term "Nerd" first.
At its core, being a nerd implies much more than just an interest in something. The term nerd carries with it a sort of obsession or compulsion. Nerds have a passion for a unique subject that not everyone around them truly understands. We all know “nerdy” people obsessed with comic books, video games, subcultures like Star Trek/Star Wars, and endless variations on fantasy from Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones.
But is it the subject of the obsession or the obsession itself that determines if someone is nerdy?
I believe it is the obsession and not the subject. Therefore people can really be “nerdy” about almost any subject. For example, on our Nerdpreneur show we’ve interviewed dozens of nerdy entrepreneurs, who are nerdy about everything from magic, to prop design, to beat making, to tarantulas, to even designing the perfect ski outerwear. The days of a nerd being limited to just those who obsess over superheroes, video games, or fantasy franchises are long gone. Anyone with an obsessive passion could be considered a nerd.
So what about the “preneur” side of Nerdpreneur? That is any individual that has turned their obsessive passion into a full time income by starting a business that serves their fellow nerd community.
Why is Nerdpreneurship Different than Regular Entrepreneurship?
At its core, nerdy entrepreneurship is about more than just turning a profit; it's about building businesses that resonate on a personal level with both the founders and their clientele.
Nerdpreneurs are not just business owners; they are fans, advocates, and community leaders within their chosen niche. This "nerd-first" business model, often prioritizes community engagement, authenticity, and innovative products or services that reflect the founder's personal interests and expertise.
Take Justin MacMahan from Nerdpreneur interview #20. His self-professed nerdiness over stats and numbers turned him into a Fantasy Sports World Champion. He took this nerdy obsession and created a business where people pay for access to his “Really Good Picks” on www.reallygoodpicks.com. Being a fantasy sports champion, and someone who loves fantasy sports betting himself, makes his marketing feel authentic and provides impressive authority in the world of fantasy sports. After all people aren’t paying for just anyone’s “really good picks”. They want Justin’s.
What is a Sign of Nerdpreneurship?
This is the embodiment of Nerdpreneurship. The whole idea is that business success doesn't have to be separate from personal passions. By leveraging their in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm, Nerdpreneurs can innovate and serve in ways that traditional businesses might overlook.
Take, for example, Nerdpreneur Andres, who opened a pottery studio in Vancouver, Canada named Mudlab. He created Mudlab after visiting LA pottery studios.
In many of those studios they put their focus on learning the art of creation, letting people craft what they wanted and everyone leaving with a fun piece they'd made. This is in contrast to the rather serious traditional form of pottery training he saw in Vancouver. There, they obsessed over perfectionism and mastery of the skill.
His own love and passion for the art of pottery helped him understand there was a community of people that didn’t just want to learn how to make high quality bowls. They wanted to use pottery to express themselves artistically and have fun while they do it. This allowed him to identify a gap in the Vancouver market that he seized by opening Mudlab and branding it as a fun, expressive, and artistic studio. After a lot of hard work getting Mudlab off the ground in 2020 (during the pandemic), the studio has been turning great profits and has classes booked out for weeks in advance.
The success of Andres and Mudlab shows the main difference between “regular entrepreneurship” and “nerdy entrepreneurship”: it is the connection an entrepreneur has to their subculture, community, and product/service.
Traditional entrepreneurs might focus on market trends, profitability, and broad consumer appeal when launching a business venture but have little personal interest in the product or service and its community.
You may be wondering, "shouldn't Nerdpreneurs consider market trends and profitability too?" Yes, you're right, but Nerdpreneurs often start with a specific interest or hobby and look for ways to monetize it without losing the essence of what made them passionate about it in the first place. This approach can lead to businesses that not only fill a gap in the market but also foster a sense of community and belonging among consumers who share the same interests. Good Nerdpreneur businesses become beloved to their communities and that can create longevity.
Are you a Nerdpreneur?
“Nerdpreneur” represents the modern merging of passion and business. People want to feel passion about what they do for money. They want their work to mean something beyond a paycheck. If you're reading this, that likely includes you.
Nerdpreneurs transform that raw passion into profitable ventures that most people never even thought possible. Because of a Nerdpreneur’s unique view into their subculture and understanding of their community, they are uniquely suited to see, and seize business opportunities others might miss.
So if you’ve been struggling to figure out where to start your own business, it might make sense for you to be a Nerdpreneur and not an Entrepreneur. Start looking for opportunities where you feel the most passionate, obsessive, and nerdy. That nerdiness might just be your business superpower and give you the edge over any of the competition.
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