Existentialism and Entrepreneurship: Creating Meaning in a World Without Inherent Purpose

Existentialism in Entrepreneurship: Crafting Meaning in the Chaos of Business

Existentialism is the belief that life has no inherent meaning, and it’s up to each individual to create their own. For many entrepreneurs, this philosophy holds a mirror to their struggles. We’re constantly navigating uncertainty, failure, and success. But what if we could embrace existentialism as a tool to not just survive in business, but truly thrive? In this blog, I’ll share how existentialism intersects with entrepreneurship and how this blend can help us create meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.

1. The Absence of Inherent Purpose in Entrepreneurship

As an aspiring entrepreneur, I’ve faced a harsh reality: there’s no universal blueprint for success. The world doesn’t hand us a rulebook. And even more unsettling, no matter how hard you work or how big you dream, life itself doesn’t have a built-in purpose or goal. It’s an existential void.

When I first started Zusiness, my business project, I expected everything to fall into place. But instead, I faced confusion, obstacles, and plenty of doubts. I couldn’t help but ask myself, "Why am I doing this?" It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to question the purpose of their ventures, especially in a world where success can feel so random. Does it all even matter?

What I’ve learned is this: existentialism offers a powerful lens through which we can understand the randomness and chaos of life. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre famously said, “Existence precedes essence,” meaning that before we can assign meaning to something, we must first exist. As entrepreneurs, we create our own essence—our own meaning. The fact that there’s no inherent purpose in life means we have the freedom to define what’s important to us, even in business.

For me, Zusiness became a way to share my passions, connect with others, and help people grow in their careers. That’s what gave me purpose in what seemed like an unimportant venture. This ability to create meaning through entrepreneurship is something that every aspiring business leader can harness.

This lack of inherent meaning in entrepreneurship means that each of us has the opportunity to create our own purpose through our businesses. But how do we begin to do this? How do we create something valuable and meaningful in an inherently meaningless world?

It begins with understanding that entrepreneurship is a continuous journey, one filled with choices that reflect our values and desires. This freedom is both exhilarating and overwhelming. However, by reflecting on our values and our “why,” we can move past existential doubt and push forward. Just as Sartre advised, we must make conscious decisions to create our essence. This is where the entrepreneurial journey becomes deeply personal—it’s about aligning our business goals with what truly matters to us.

2. Entrepreneurship as a Journey of Self-Discovery

In the spirit of existentialism, entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a product or service—it’s also about personal growth. I’ve come to realize that every setback and every small victory in my entrepreneurial journey is a step toward understanding who I am. The long nights, the failures, and the occasional moments of success are all experiences that define me as a person.

Sartre’s idea of “bad faith” involves living life inauthentically, or in a way that ignores the freedom we have to create meaning. In business, this could mean following a path because it’s expected or because it’s safe, instead of pursuing what truly resonates with us. I’ve often met students and young entrepreneurs who jump into businesses just because they think it’s what society wants—be it tech startups, finance, or any “prestigious” field. But that’s where I see the clash with existentialism. If we don’t define our own journey, we are living inauthentically.

By diving into entrepreneurship with a focus on my values and interests, I started seeing how business is a mirror of personal development. When I reflect on moments of failure or success, it’s as though I’m learning something new about myself each time. The lessons aren’t just in business—they’re in how I handle pressure, deal with uncertainty, and push through self-doubt.

The existential challenge we face as entrepreneurs is the quest to live authentically. Every decision we make—whether it’s choosing the products we sell, the markets we target, or the way we interact with customers—reflects who we are as individuals. But this authenticity is a double-edged sword. Living authentically as an entrepreneur means rejecting conformity and embracing vulnerability. It means taking risks, stepping into the unknown, and learning as you go, rather than following the conventional path laid out by society.

Research backs this up too. Studies show that entrepreneurs are often more self-aware and resilient than others because they regularly face challenges that require adaptability and self-reflection (Harvard Business Review, 2018). That’s the beauty of combining existentialism with entrepreneurship: the process is as much about self-discovery as it is about external success. It’s about learning who we truly are in the face of adversity. This journey of self-discovery is a crucial part of the entrepreneurial process.

3. Creating Meaning in the Midst of Chaos

Now, let’s talk about the chaos. Entrepreneurship is messy. Things don’t always go as planned. There are days when the business feels like a sinking ship, and it’s tempting to give up and walk away. But existentialism teaches us that in the face of chaos, we have the power to make meaning.

I often find myself in situations where everything feels uncertain—my goals are constantly shifting, the market is volatile, and I’m just trying to make the next step. However, what I’ve learned is that existentialism doesn’t call for perfection—it calls for action. It’s the doing, the creating, that gives our lives meaning, even if we don’t have all the answers right away.

The French philosopher Albert Camus, in his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus," talks about the absurdity of life, comparing it to the story of Sisyphus, who was condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down. Camus suggests that while life is absurd, we should imagine Sisyphus happy as he pushes the boulder. In the same way, entrepreneurs should find meaning not in the end result, but in the process itself. The chaos and uncertainty are part of the journey, and there’s beauty in that struggle.

Research on entrepreneurial resilience also shows that embracing uncertainty is essential to success (Journal of Business Venturing, 2021). Accepting that failure is inevitable and that we control only how we respond is crucial to creating meaning in our entrepreneurial journey.

Reflecting on existentialism’s role in entrepreneurship, I realize that it’s not about having a fixed, predetermined purpose. Instead, it’s about embracing the freedom to create your own. The uncertainty, the chaos, and the constant challenges we face as entrepreneurs are what make the journey worthwhile. What I’ve learned is that life’s meaning isn’t something we discover—it’s something we create, each and every day, through the choices we make and the actions we take.

As an entrepreneur, embracing the absurdity of life helps us navigate the unexpected. We realize that while we can’t control every aspect of our business, we have the power to shape our narrative. This ability to take control of our story, even when the world feels chaotic, is a powerful tool that existentialism offers us. It’s the ultimate freedom—freedom to create meaning where none exists.

4. The Intersection of Entrepreneurship and Existentialist Freedom

Perhaps the most empowering aspect of existentialism for entrepreneurs is the idea of freedom. Sartre’s philosophy tells us that we are free to define our own existence, and this is the core of entrepreneurial freedom. When you start a business, you are essentially creating something out of nothing. This act of creation reflects your deepest desires, values, and vision.

In entrepreneurship, freedom isn’t just about making decisions—it's about shaping the very reality of your business. Whether you're building a startup from scratch or running a small business, you have the autonomy to choose how you want to show up in the world. This freedom is both exhilarating and terrifying, but it’s the cornerstone of entrepreneurship.

The existential challenge lies in the responsibility that comes with this freedom. You are not bound by tradition or society's expectations; you must define your own path. This responsibility is a heavy one, but it also provides an opportunity for immense growth. It challenges you to question your motivations and constantly redefine what success means to you. For an entrepreneur, this is liberating—it means you can chart your course according to your principles, not societal norms.

In practical terms, embracing existential freedom in entrepreneurship might mean rejecting conventional business models or creating a unique value proposition that aligns with your personal beliefs. It means stepping outside your comfort zone and constantly evolving your business to reflect who you are as a person.

5. Finding Fulfillment in the Process

In the end, the greatest gift existentialism offers to entrepreneurs is the understanding that fulfillment doesn’t come from a final destination. It comes from the journey itself. Entrepreneurship is not about arriving at a place of complete success or achievement—it’s about the ongoing process of creation, growth, and self-expression.

The moment we stop fixating on the outcome and start embracing the process as part of our personal development, we can find deep fulfillment in the everyday tasks of entrepreneurship. Whether it’s managing a team, refining a product, or engaging with customers, every action contributes to the meaning we create. The small victories, the daily efforts, and the willingness to keep moving forward despite