When someone starts a business unintentionally, the situation may be referred to as accidental entrepreneurship. It may start with the person stumbling upon a business opportunity while pursuing another passion. Other times, it involves being compelled through job loss or a need to provide for family.

While pursuing her passion for baking (chocolatey, soft, and delicious) cupcakes, Mavis sent a bunch to a seasonal cake fair. This was her first public showing, beyond occasionally baking for family and friends per order. The overwhelming feedback from that fair got her starting to run a successful bakery.
When his employer was forced to lay off staff during the pandemic, assistant pastry chef Roy was left distraught. While at home, however, he teamed up with his roommate to make and deliver simple desserts to a small network of people. Making these little packages of comfort food has now become their comfortably-paying business.
Sally – fashionista, young and single – liked her t-shirts to speak her mind. She could not always find her preference on the market though, so got into the habit of designing a few slogan t-shirts of her own. Those designs and lines drew attention, and soon, people wanted to pay for her original ideas.
Olive had plans of becoming a doctor, pharmacist, or scientific researcher. Following her father’s sudden demise, however, she changed course to take over the family’s hotel business.

Regardless of its origin, accidental entrepreneurship can be extra challenging. This is because the entrepreneurs may lack prior experience and training. Much dedication and discipline are also needed to turn a pastime into a successful enterprise.

Despite these fallbacks, there are many success stories from such entrepreneurs. Their passion, capacity to learn on the go, and reaching for the help they need, make them winners.

What is your story? Have you started by accident, or now looking to build on your creative ideas?