Natalie MacNeil co-founded Garage Entrepreneurs shortly after starting her first business as a student entrepreneur. Natalie says, “Garage Entrepreneurs is a community I wish I had when I started my first business.”  Her entrepreneurial journey has led her to become a media producer and consultant, specializing in online media and marketing, an award winning blogger and a speaker. Natalie has been featured in Forbes.com, Entrepreneur.com and the Financial Post.  Natalie was also recognized as one of Canada's top 25 young entrepreneurs by the Impact Organization. 

Natalie is passionate about encouraging younger generations to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.  She shares her insights on young entrepreneurs, what it takes to build a successful business, and the impact of the recession on new businesses.

Below are the questions we asked Natalie:

• (1:58) First, can you tell us about yourself and your background?
• (3:33) You also write at Forbes.com, is that right?  
• (4:06) Do you think the trend of young entrepreneurs is here to stay, Natalie?
• (5:48) How old were you when you noticed that you were an entrepreneur?
• (6:58) Tell us about Garage Entrepreneurs, where did the name come from?
• (7:48) Garage Entrepreneurs is a web site, correct?
• (8:39) How do you define a young entrepreneur?
• (10:02) As an entrepreneur, what would you say that the main characteristics someone should have to be successful and happy about it?
• (11:13) What else would you say are key characteristics?
• (16:28) What are some of the benefits that you’ve seen in starting a business when you’re younger?
• (18:31) Do you think that the econimic downturn has forced more graduates to consider entrepreneurship?
• (20:29) Are existing entrepreneurs working harder or abandoning entrepreneurship?  What do you see happening there?
• (22:35) Do you see people bootstrapping longer or finding new paths to entrepreneurship?
• (25:00) Younger generations seem to be really web and mobile saavy.  How do you see that translating?
• (27:09) Natalie, where can people find out more?

Brought to you by our sponsor:

- Listen to Natalie’s full interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below -