GUEST EDITORIAL: 6 Movies To Watch if You Want To Be an Entrepreneur

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6 Movies To Watch if You Want To Be an Entrepreneur

by Kevin Gardner

While most movies are a world of fiction, they can still paint quite a realistic picture of what something is like in the real world. Entrepreneurship is no exception. If you're considering going into business for yourself but want a little insight first, check out these six movies about people who built up their businesses, sometimes only to see them crash again. 

1. The Social Network

Perhaps the epitome of a movie about entrepreneurship, The Social Network is about Mark Zuckerberg and how he created Facebook and turned it into the empire it is today. Directed by David Fincher, the story follows Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates Facebook while studying at Harvard. It also shows a glimpse of how his best friend was pushed out of the company as well as how he was sued by brothers who claimed Zuckerberg stole their idea. This movie's ensemble cast is just part of why it's so watchable. It's also a great reminder that even the biggest companies start small.

2. Joy

Following the life of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), Joy is a true-to-life entrepreneur movie that starts with Mangano living with her two children in a rundown house. That isn't it, though. Her ex-husband, grandmother, and divorced parents all live in the house as well. Soon, she has an idea for a cleaning product called the Miracle Mop. As she learns the sales process and tries to get her product off the ground, the movie shows her complicated home life and how it intersects with her business, including promoting her product on QVC. If you're looking for an entrepreneur movie that shows a successful woman, this is it. In real life, Mangano is now a multimillionaire.

3. Pirates of Silicon Valley

Released in 1999, Pirates of Silicon Valley is based on the book Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer. The movie focuses on the rivalry between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, specifically between the years 1971 and 1997. It's an excellent watch if you're interested in the beginnings of two of the biggest technology companies in the world. Be sure to pay special attention when Steve Jobs interviews a potential Apple employee. 

4. Jerry Maguire

When you want to see the fall and rise of an entrepreneur, you want to see a classic, Jerry Maguire. Starring Tom Cruise as Maguire, the movie focuses on his firing from a successful company. On impulse, he starts his own sports management agency, and the rest of the movie shows how he builds his business with one client (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) and one employee (Renee Zellweger). Jerry Maguire is an excellent look at the importance of putting your clients first and shouldn't be skipped if you're looking to gain entrepreneurship tips. 

5. Startup.com

Startup.com is a documentary that shows you what it was like during the dotcom bubble when internet companies were quickly successful but then failed just as quickly. Specifically, it follows GovWorks, a company that had a promising future until internal power struggles and mismanagement of the company took that future away. It isn't just about the rise and fall, though. This documentary is a cautionary tale of how friendship can turn into rivalries if you aren't careful when doing business together. 

6. Wall Street

Starring Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko and Charlie Sheen as Bud Fox, 1987's Wall Street follows a young stockbroker who dives headfirst into the stock exchange. He finds himself a bit too interested in the glamor of the new lifestyle. Wall Street is an excellent choice if you're someone who's interested in joining the corporate finance world and would like a glimpse into how it works and how it can be too much excitement for some people. 

While watching movies can give you a good picture and understanding of the world of entrepreneurship, you won't truly know what it's like until you try it on your own. Remember to create a plan and take your time if you want your business idea to be successful.