Freelancer vs. Entrepreneur

My subscription to "Small Biz Resource" usually yields an interesting article or two, and this week is no exception. Blogger Ivan Idea quoted Seth Godin from his book, The Bootstrapper's Bible: How to Start and Build a Business With a Great Idea and (Almost) No Money, and focused on the difference between a Freelancer and an Entrepreneur, describing them as follows:

DO YOU WANT TO BE A FREELANCER OR AN ENTREPRENEUR?

As you consider different business models, you need to ask yourself the critical question above. This is a moment of truth, and being honest now will save you a lot of heartache later.

The difference? A freelancer sells her talents. While she may have a few employees, basically she's doing a job without a boss, not running a business. Layout artists, writers, consultants, film editors, landscapers, architects, translators, and musicians are all freelancers. There is no exit strategy. There is no huge pot of gold. Just the pleasure and satisfaction of making your own hours and being your own boss.

An entrepreneur is trying to build something bigger than herself. She takes calculated risks and focuses on growth. An entrepreneur is willing to receive little pay, work long hours, and take on great risk in exchange for the freedom to make something big, something that has real market value.

Most of the consultants I encounter function as freelancers, by these definitions, though they may have entrepreneurial spirit, and perhaps, someday, will aspire to build something bigger.