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From Hollywood to the Boardroom: What Pop Culture Gets Right (and Wrong) About Entrepreneurship.

Writer's picture: Ononkwa EganOnonkwa Egan


From Hollywood to the Boardroom: What Pop Culture Gets Right (and Wrong) About Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is often depicted in Hollywood as a glamorous, fast-paced journey of taking risks, making huge profits, and constantly battling rivals. Films like “Joy” and “Like a Boss” offer a window into the world of entrepreneurship, but how much of this is rooted in reality? 


Hollywood sometimes portrays the ups and downs of starting and running a business in movies, but they also skip over the struggles and complexities that real entrepreneurs face. 

In this article, we’ll explore what pop culture gets right about entrepreneurship—and of course, what it doesn’t. 


What Pop Culture Gets Right About Entrepreneurship.


1. The power of persistence in overcoming obstacles 

In “Joy”, Jennifer Lawrence portrays Joy Mangano, an inventor and entrepreneur who

From Hollywood to the Boardroom: What Pop Culture Gets Right (and Wrong) About Entrepreneurship.


overcomes countless personal and professional setbacks to create a multi-million-dollar business. The movie emphasizes her relentless determination, from facing family struggles to dealing with dishonest business partners.



 

★ Reality check: 

Persistence is a cornerstone of entrepreneurship. Just like Joy, real entrepreneurs face a series of obstacles, from financial struggles to competition and self-doubt. Success often comes after numerous failures and constant adaptation. The ability to keep going despite setbacks is one of the most important traits an entrepreneur can have. 


2. The power of innovation

Entrepreneurs in movies and TV shows are often portrayed as disruptors- visionaries who see opportunities others miss. In “Joy”, Joy’s invention of the Miracle Mop is the turning point in her entrepreneurial journey. Despite the odds, she creates a product that fills a clear market need and disrupts the status quo. The movie highlights the importance of innovation in business, showing how a new idea can transform someone’s life. 

★ Reality check: 

Innovation is, indeed, critical in entrepreneurship. The best entrepreneurs are those who can think outside the box, spot trends, and create products or services that meet a need or solve a problem. The depiction of entrepreneurial innovation is often spot-on in pop culture. 


3. The importance of teamwork and collaboration 

In “Like a Boss”, Rose Byrne and Tiffany Haddish play two best friends who run a cosmetics company together. They initially struggle with their differences, but ultimately realize that teamwork, even in the face of external pressure, is what will allow them to succeed. 

★ Reality check: 

While the journey to success may begin alone, building a successful business requires collaboration. Entrepreneurs need partners, advisors, mentors, and a great team to bring their vision to life. Even in the independent, entrepreneurial world, collaboration is key. 


What Pop Culture Gets Wrong About Entrepreneurship.


1. Instant success and overnight wealth 

One of the most common misconceptions in pop culture is the idea of instant success. Entrepreneurs are often shown hitting it big almost overnight—making millions and becoming famous with minimal effort.

★ Reality check: 

The truth is far more complex. Very few entrepreneurs experience overnight success. Most businesses take years to grow and require a lot of trial and error. Financial success comes slowly, and it’s usually the result of years of hard work, learning from failure, and adjusting the business model along the way. 


2. Entrepreneurs are always lone wolves 

Many films and shows depict entrepreneurs as isolated figures—brilliant but solitary individuals who tackle every challenge alone. For example, at one point in “Like a Boss”, they are pitted against each other, as one of the characters contemplates selling the business. This portrayal could suggest that entrepreneurs often work alone or make decisions independently. 

★ Reality check: 

Entrepreneurship is rarely a solo endeavor. Successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with teams of people- employees, co-founders, mentors, and advisors. Building a company requires collaboration, diverse skill sets, and relying on others. While the visionary is important, the team is what makes things happen. 


3. The Entrepreneurial Lifestyle Is Glamorous 

Pop culture often glamorizes the lifestyle of an entrepreneur—private jets, luxury cars, lavish parties, and an endless flow of success and excitement. 

★ Reality check: 

While entrepreneurship can offer financial rewards, the lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as depicted in movies. The reality is that many entrepreneurs live on tight budgets in the early stages, struggle with cash flow, and face significant stress. The work is often grueling, and the lifestyle can be unpredictable and fraught with challenges. 


Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs.


● Be prepared for the long haul: While it’s tempting to believe the Hollywood version of instant success, real entrepreneurial journeys require persistence and

resilience. The road will be bumpy, and it may take years before you see significant results.


● Focus on team building: While you might be the visionary behind your idea, surrounding yourself with the right people is essential for growth. Whether it’s employees, co-founders, or mentors, collaboration and teamwork are essential to achieving success.
 
● Embrace failure as part of the process: Failure is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. Pop culture often shows entrepreneurs rising from failure, and in real life, this is true. Learn from your mistakes, iterate on your ideas, and keep moving forward. 

Conclusion 

Pop culture may get a lot of aspects of entrepreneurship wrong, but it does capture the excitement, risk-taking, and drive that define entrepreneurial success. The reality, however, is far more complex, filled with long hours, tough decisions, and continuous learning. 

So, what do you think about the way entrepreneurship is portrayed in pop culture? Have you had any “Hollywood moments” or harsh realities in your own entrepreneurial journey? Share your thoughts in the comments! 


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