2011 Trends: This Way Up | Slideshow. In his inauguration speech, President Obama paid homage to entrepreneurs. The path to greatness, he rhapsodized, has been paved by "the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things--some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom. " Almost three years later, it's clear he was spot on. Entrepreneurship has been one of the precious few bright spots in a terribly gloomy economy, and this new generation of entrepreneurs, both intentional and accidental, has taken it upon themselves to keep things chugging along.
At the same time, starting a business gained serious cool cred. Consider American Express' slick ad campaign featuring Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard; foursquare's founders as models in glossy Gap mag ads; and the cults of celebrity surrounding "the Zuck" and the late Steve Jobs. Entrepreneurship has never been more practical, either. If you like this, then … Retail was just the start. Springwise | New business ideas, trends and innovation.
Cool Hunting. Com: Consumer trends and insights from around the world. Top 10 Small Business Predictions for 2012 | Blog | Daily Dose.