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What is a Chicken Entrepreneur?
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Becoming a chicken entrepreneur has very little to do with Colonel Sanders, Frank Purdue or Kenny Rogers, although one might make an argument for the country singer and roast chicken entrepreneur. In reality, a chicken entrepreneur is someone who pursues a second business while maintaining a full-time job in his or her chosen field. For example, a tax accountant for a large corporation may choose to open a private tax preparation business on nights and weekends, or a professional chef may own a small bistro on the side.
The origin of the term "chicken entrepreneur" may have started at a time when a number of would-be investors were literally offered fried chicken franchises as lucrative side businesses. Investment in these fast-food operations would not have required owners to quit their regular jobs, since qualified workers and managers would be responsible for the day-to-day operational needs. A fried chicken entrepreneur would only have to devote a few hours a week supervising and promoting the business.
Other sources say the keyword in "chicken entrepreneur" is chicken. Many people have dreams of quitting their primary jobs entirely to pursue small business ownership, but they are simply too "chicken" to cut off all ties to a secure income with benefits. By becoming a chicken entrepreneur, a fledgling small business owner can still meet his or her financial obligations while learning the ropes of a new enterprise. If the small business or franchise investment does work out successfully, then and only then would a chicken entrepreneur consider quitting his or her primary source of income.
If current statistics remain true, there are a number of compelling reasons why someone might want to remain a chicken entrepreneur instead of a small business owner. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), nearly half of all small businesses fail within a year. Even more alarming, an estimated 90 to 95 percent of small businesses fail within five years. With those statistics to consider, it is no wonder many would-be small business owners pursue the chicken entrepreneur course of action.
Michael Pollick
A regular SmartCapitalMind contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Learn more...
Michael Pollick
A regular SmartCapitalMind contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
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![An accountant who opens a bistro on the side is an example of a chicken entrepreneur.]()
By: Adam WasilewskiAn accountant who opens a bistro on the side is an example of a chicken entrepreneur. -
![Many people have dreams of quitting their primary jobs entirely to pursue small business ownership, but they are simply too "chicken" to do so.]()
By: Eugenio MarongiuMany people have dreams of quitting their primary jobs entirely to pursue small business ownership, but they are simply too "chicken" to do so.
Discussion Comments
I had never heard of the term 'chicken entrepreneur', and after reading this article, I have figured out that I am one.
What began as a hobby has turned in to a part time business for my husband and I. We were interested in having a few bee hives in our yard to pollinate our garden and apple trees. It was also quite exciting to extract our own honey. We usually had enough to share with friends and family and things started growing from there. We sell a lot of honey and beeswax products locally and ship across the country.
We both have full time jobs outside this business, so sometimes it can be hard to fit everything in, but it has been worth the extra work. I'm not sure how my husband will feel when I tell him he is a Chicken Entrepreneur though!
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