microentrepreneurs
Very small operators
Microentrepreneurs run very small businesses, typically with fewer than five employees and minimal startup capital.
The term appears in discussions of economic development, where microenterprise programs provide loans and training to people starting modest ventures: Microentrepreneurs in developing countries often lack access to traditional banking.
The prefix micro- distinguishes these operators from entrepreneurs running larger-scale businesses.
Located at residence
- microenterpriseVery small-scale commercial venture
- mom-and-popSmall owner-operated enterprise
- family-runManaged by relatives
- vendorOne who sells goods
hawker · peddler · bazaar · kiosk · stall · roadside · subsistence · livelihood
Small loans for poor entrepreneurs
- microcreditSmall loans to entrepreneurs
- microloanSmall-scale credit assistance
- bootstrappingSelf-starting without external input
- crowdfundingRaising capital from masses
grant · kiva · self-funded
Skilled manual tradesperson
- craftspersonSkilled manual worker
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- tailorClothing alteration professional
- bakerOne who makes bread
jeweler · weaver · potter · seamstress · cobbler · quilter · knitter · beekeeper
Centered on local groups
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- localOf this area
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- collectiveJointly organized group
self-sufficiency · homestead · organic · sustainable · bartering · neighborhood
Capacity for original thought
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
prototyping · iteration · pivoting · disruption · scalability · diversification · agility · experimentation
Self-employed service provider
- independentFree from external control
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- contractorHired construction professional
- solopreneurSelf-employed business owner
home-based
Located at residence
- microenterpriseVery small-scale commercial venture
- mom-and-popSmall owner-operated enterprise
- family-runManaged by relatives
vendor · hawker · peddler · bazaar · kiosk · stall · roadside · subsistence · livelihood · hustle
microfinance
Small loans for poor entrepreneurs
- microcreditSmall loans to entrepreneurs
- microloanSmall-scale credit assistance
- bootstrappingSelf-starting without external input
crowdfunding · grant · kiva · self-funded
artisan
Skilled manual tradesperson
- craftspersonSkilled manual worker
- handmadeCreated manually, not mechanically
- tailorClothing alteration professional
baker · jeweler · weaver · potter · seamstress · cobbler · quilter · knitter · beekeeper · woodworker
community-based
Centered on local groups
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- localOf this area
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
collective · self-sufficiency · homestead · organic · sustainable · bartering · neighborhood
creativity
Capacity for original thought
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- adaptabilityAbility to adjust readily
problem-solving · prototyping · iteration · pivoting · disruption · scalability · diversification · agility · experimentation · ingenuity
freelancer
Self-employed service provider
- independentFree from external control
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- contractorHired construction professional
solopreneur · autonomous · self-starter · moonlighter · self-directed
microentrepreneurscorporate executives
Senior company leadership
tycoons · captains of industry · business magnates · moguls · industrialists
microentrepreneurscorporate employees
Business organization's hired workers
salaried employees · subordinates · company men · hourly workers · worker bees
microentrepreneursoligarchs
Wealthy few who govern
plutocrats · venture capitalists · institutional investors · robber barons · megacorporations