Budding French entrepreneurs

Former President George W. Bush is supposed to have said, "The problem with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneur."  Some insist that the story is apocryphal, that the phrase was actually said by someone else and was intended to showcase Dubya's "less than stellar intellectual abilities."  Whatever the true story, it is all too believable that the former President could indeed have uttered the statement, given his curious lack of curiosity about the world outside his particular ken or focus.

In case there is any confusion, the fact is that the word "entrepreneur" is a French word, derived from the verb entreprendre (to undertake; to engage in; to go at).  The verb entreprendre dates from the 13th century but it appears that the first use of the word entrepreneur in the context of someone who undertakes a business venture dates to the 16th century.  The first academic usage of the term was in 1730 by economist Richard Cantillon.  It was then popularized in turn by French economist Jean Baptiste Say and British economist John Stuart Mill, among others.  Mill likely used the French term because the English word "undertaker" has a precise meaning that differs greatly from entrepreneur.  Thus entrepreneur, as we know it today, entered into the English lexicon.  It seems that at least some Americans believe that they have a monopoly both on the expression and the activity itself.  The truth, however, is that entrepreneurship exists globally, among all cultures and, apparently, among all ages, even in the most unlikely of places - as I found during my recent visit to Champagny-en-Vanoise.

After our episode with the errant vaches who may have been seeking a photo-op, we took a few moments to stroll through the village behind the restaurant.  Sweet V explained that the area, although extremely picturesque, is virtually isolated during the winter.  The rudimentary designs of the stone buildings reflect their adaptation to harsh weather.

Still, the human soul requires decoration to mitigate the harshness.  The dwellings featured charming wood-carvings particular to the region, among them animals

and heart shapes.

There were even some cottages where flowers had been planted in anticipation of summer and their bright splotches of color were especially appreciated among the grays and browns.

Suddenly, what to our wondering eyes should appear as we entered the tiny village square but a little chalkboard bearing prices, with Christmas ornaments roughly made of wood and the slate the local Savoyards call lauze.  Proudly standing next to the chalkboard were two of the cutest young entrepreneurs I have seen.  I didn't stand a chance!

Their real targets were the churchgoers attending the little church in the square.

But they made their first purchase of the day when I bought a heart-shaped piece of lauze.  It now sits on my terrace in Switzerland - together with other rock mementos of happy moments.