Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes. They are old and young, male and female, black and white. They are raised wealthy and poor, obtain advanced degrees or drop out of school. Studies have been unable to pinpoint any type of consistent similarity among these people except for one common characteristic--each and every one thinks they are different from everyone else.

So what makes entrepreneurs so different? They challenge the status-quo. They see new ways to do things, new products to create, new processes with which to create them, and new cultures to stimulate with their ideas. Some of the more notable companies started by teenagers and twentysomethings include, but certainly are not limited to: Google, Apple, MTV, Microsoft, Subway, BET, Dell, Rolling Stone magazine and Quiksilver. They represent nearly every type of industry and product because each entrepreneur had a passion for something and saw things a little bit differently.

What truly excites me is that during our lifetime these ventures will no longer be exceptions, but the norm. We will far surpass the size and scope of today's companies with entirely new business concepts. When I say "business" and "entrepreneur," I don't mean the stereotypical corporate executive or business tycoon. Our notions of entrepreneurs are changing, just as our priorities are shifting. Sustainable business' today requires that our communities and environment take a front seat.

The days of working for huge conglomerates, standing in an assembly line and relying on big companies for retirement (or Social Security for that matter) are all but gone. Today belongs to the entrepreneur.

When Eminem raps about being an entrepreneur, and Jay-Z is a cover story for Fortune and Inc. magazines, you know times have changed. The entrepreneur mantra has trickled down throughout our culture. When the New York City Family Court asked kids what they wanted to be when they grew up, the most frequent response was an NBA player. The second was an entrepreneur.

Here is to the generation of entrepreneurs.

Bryan Sims, CEO