Barcelona has always been one of the driving forces of the industrial revolution in Spain, a place where entrepreneurs have prospered and their effort has been rewarded through social recognition. We are in the throes of an unprecedented crisis. The recession has also spawned new forms of social entrepreneurship.
City of entrepreneurs
In Barcelona, and throughout Catalonia, the so-called social ladder has historically prevailed, due to the absence of major landowners and the progressive emergence of middle classes. Newcomers were just as likely to make their fortune as the traditional bourgeois families. In this regard, there is also a sharp contrast with other cities in Spain.
The word “entrepreneur” has colonised the political and media discourse on a global level. Entrepreneurs are all the rage in the United States. In Catalonia, neither the crisis nor the employment ecosystem help them, but they try to carve out their niche in the market.
After going strong for 26 years, Barcelona Activa has become an international benchmark in the field of the public promotion of entrepreneurship. It is currently a source of opportunities for many people who have either lost or are in danger of losing their jobs and turn to self-employment as an alternative.
Through his books and blog, Seth Godin has inspired thousands of entrepreneurs all over the world. He is the founder of Squidoo.com, which is ranked among the United States’ one hundred most-visited websites. Our thanks to Seth Godin for allowing us to publish six of his reflections on the future of entrepreneurs.