Is Entrepreneur a Dirty Word?

Matthew Wickham
Jun 4
4 min read

Why the Label Doesn’t Always Fit, and Why That’s Okay

“Entrepreneur” is one of those words that can land funny. For some, it inspires excitement and ambition. For others, it feels loaded, ego-driven, risky, even pretentious.

But what if you’re already doing entrepreneurial things and just don’t identify with the label?

In this article, we’ll explore what the word entrepreneur really means, why it can feel uncomfortable to claim, and how to rethink the path to doing work that energises you, whether or not you call it entrepreneurship.

What Is an Entrepreneur, Really?

The textbook entrepreneur definition is someone who starts and runs a business, usually taking on financial risk in the hope of profit.

But in real life, the answer to “what is an entrepreneur?” is more layered.

It’s the GP setting up a private clinic to reclaim autonomy.The creative turning a hobby into income on YouTube.The teacher launching an online course during maternity leave.

Entrepreneurs spot a gap, build something new, and take responsibility for its success. Whether or not they fit the stereotype.

Why the Word ‘Entrepreneur’ Makes Some People Uncomfortable

There’s a reason entrepreneur can feel like a dirty word. For many, it’s wrapped up in hustle culture, toxic productivity, or startup clichés.

In our conversation between Matthew Wickham and Dave Hindermarsh, Dave admits he doesn’t see himself as an entrepreneur, even though he’s built a growing YouTube channel, launched online courses, and explored multiple income streams outside the NHS.

Why the hesitation? For Dave, entrepreneurship felt like a luxury, something others choose, not something you do out of burnout, frustration, or financial strain.

“I almost feel what I’m doing is a necessity, given the state of the NHS... not some bold ‘entrepreneurial move’.” — Dave

And yet, that’s what makes it real. For many professionals, entrepreneurship isn’t about status. It’s about survival. And that deserves recognition.

Are You an Entrepreneur Without Realising It?

If you’ve ever searched “how to become an entrepreneur” or “side hustles for professionals”, you’re not alone. But here’s the twist: you might already be one.

Ask yourself:

Have you created something outside your 9–5?
Do you use your skills to solve problems or earn independently?
Have you launched a project, business, or brand?

You don’t need to wear the title proudly or loudly. But you might be more entrepreneurial than you think.

What Do Entrepreneurs Actually Do?

Strip away the jargon, and entrepreneurs do three things:

Spot problems worth solving.
Build systems to solve them.
Keep going, even when it’s uncomfortable.

They don’t all run startups or chase investors. Some are building niche YouTube channels. Others are opening private clinics while raising families.

Dr. Matthew Wickham, for example, balances clinical practice with a portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures, property, education, private healthcare. For him, entrepreneurship wasn’t about working less. It was about working on what energised him:

“I work harder now than I ever have. But I have more energy to do it. That’s the difference.”

Work-Life Balance vs Work-Life Energy

One of the biggest misconceptions about how to become an entrepreneur is that it’ll lead to a perfect “work-life balance.”

But both Dave and Matthew push back on that idea. What they’ve found instead is something more sustainable: work-life energy.

When you’re building something that matters to you, whether it’s creative, educational, or commercial, it fuels other parts of your life. You don’t burn out as fast. You show up with more presence. You feel like you again.

How to Become an Entrepreneur (Even If You Don’t Want the Title)

If the label doesn’t sit right with you, skip it. Focus instead on what matters: creating something useful, energising, and aligned with your goals.

Here are some low-risk ways to start:

Turn one idea into one post, product, or prototype.
Use your professional skills to teach, write, or advise.
Look at pain points in your field, what frustrates people? Can you fix it?

Both Dave and Matthew started small. One uploaded how-to videos as a registrar. The other began laying the groundwork for private practice before he left NHS training.

The common thread? They started. Quietly. Imperfectly. Consistently.

Is It Time to Reclaim the Word?

Maybe it’s not that “entrepreneur” is a dirty word. Maybe we’ve just let the wrong people define it.

An entrepreneur isn’t just a tech founder or shark tank hopeful. It’s someone who backs themselves. Someone who turns a problem into a possibility.

If you’ve ever thought:

“I want more control over my time.”
“I need to build something outside of work.”
“I’m not sure this system works for me…”

…then you’re already on the path. And that path doesn’t need a label to be valid.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to call yourself an entrepreneur to build like one. You don’t need a pitch deck to start. You don’t need to wait for permission. All you need is a sense of what energises you, and the guts to begin.

So whether you’re a GP, a teacher, a parent, or someone Googling “how to become an entrepreneur” at midnight… know this:

It’s not about the word. It’s about the work. And if it gives you life, you’re already doing it right.