Is this next generation going to steer clear of being their own boss or are we raising youth who will embrace the entrepreneur spirit?

This morning on The View, Sean P. Diddy Combs (he clarified that he'll answer to any of the above including his original Puff moniker) was a guest and the ladies of the View referred to him as a "mogul" and enterprising entrepreneur. They said that they didn't think the youth of today nurtured their dreams of entrepreneurship.

Diddy said that his slogan is "close your eyes and dream big then open your eyes and see what you can do."

He clearly dreams big with his eyes wide open. He has his fingers in every pie, from the obvious musical industry to marathon runner, fashion and fragrance, movie and Broadway star. His latest venture is in the spirits industry:

Sean Combs is the new Brand Manager for Ciroc Vodka. Ciroc is a division of Diageo, the world's leading, spirits, wine and beer company. Last month Diageo announced a groundbreaking strategic alliance between Combs and Cîroc vodka. Under the terms of the deal, Combs and Sean Combs Enterprises will take the lead on all brand management decisions for Cîroc, while sharing in the future profits of the growth of the brand. This exclusive US multi-year collaboration, which calls for a 50/50 profit split, is a first for the spirits industry and could be worth more than $100 million for Combs. As part of the new alliance, Combs will take the lead on brand management decisions, including marketing, advertising, public relations, product placement and events.

For those students looking to follow Sean's example and engage in an entrepreneurial program, Entrepreneur Magazine again listed their top 25 entrepreneurial undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs along with an additional 208 schools with some entrepreneurial focus.

Most of of the top 25 schools offer a business plan competition with prize money ranging from $8500 to over $40,000!

Babson College offers the top rated undergrad program and University of Southern California took the 1st place prize for graduate programs.

"There are programs that exist to deliver as many different opportunities as students are looking for." Some programs help students launch businesses; others teach how to become an entrepreneur. Some focus on engaging in the local business community, while others gear their curricula toward woman-owned or environmentally conscious businesses."

At 38, Sean makes it look easy. Let's hope our youth look to the Sean's of the world rather than the Britneys when latching on to role models.

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Writer