There are many ways in which a person might exercise his or her entrepreneurial skills. The three main types of entrepreneur opportunities include franchises, developing new operations within an existing organization, and forming a completely new one. Entrepreneur opportunities can mean anything from working on small projects or the development of massive new enterprises.
It is possible to find entrepreneur opportunities within an already established organization. People who do so are sometimes called intrepreneurs, or inside entrepreneurs. An intrapeneur takes initiative to identify and develop projects that help an organization meet its objectives or grow in new directions. Corporate social entrepreneur opportunities relate specifically to leading projects that enhance a company's performance in terms of social development and responsibility. Many companies today encourage different kinds of intrapreneurialship across all of their departments by offering training, advertising entrepreneur opportunities, and providing incentives.
Within a company, entrepreneurial activities — though appreciated — might not always translate into as much monetary reward as the contribution would have if it had been to one's own enterprise. On the other hand, the vast majority of new businesses fail, so the risk of starting one is quite high. For some entrepreneurs, franchise opportunities can help strike a balance.
Large franchises can provide entrepreneur opportunities that come with support, such as proven brand awareness, a large network of allies, marketing teams, industry-specific consultation, and many other benefits that would normally cost a great deal. In order to maintain its corporate image and to regulate product or service quality, the franchiser will normally require the maintenance of certain set standards. These restrictions may be seen by some entrepreneurs as too inhibiting while others might appreciate the guidance and sense of belonging.
There are different kinds of entrepreneurs. While all successful entrepreneurs are innovators and change-makers, and generally possess strong leadership qualities, there are very different ways to promote change and there are also different kinds of leaders. There are people who prefer to set out alone in establishing brand new ventures, who enjoy taking chances as well as the creative freedom of doing things their own way. There are others who prefer to lead within a partnership or a team, or within a large, stable organization. In deciding which type of entrepreneur opportunities to seek out, aspiring entrepreneurs should consider their personal tastes and whether or not the risk involved in starting one's own business is appealing.