Despite my concern that I might end up feeling like a big sardine jammed into a little can, I decided to brave the Sunday crowds at Comic-Con 2009. Arriving with my kids in tow at 9:30am -- right as the doors opened to the public -- I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Sunday crowds were much less intense than what I have experienced on other days during previous shows. I suspect the reason was some combination of typical last-day trade show blues, and burnout on the part of the 4-day passholders who decided to sleep in on Sunday and arrive fashionably late.

This year I went to Comic-Con with an eye towards the entrepreneurial, and I was not disappointed. In fact, I was quite impressed by the sheer number of people who had made the fateful decision to put their ideas and dreams to the test by starting businesses based on them. On Artists' Row, at least 100 different comic artists sold their work to the public -- many were willing to create commissioned artwork on the spot. For a price. There were t-shirt companies, figurine companies, and vintage comic book sellers. There were companies that sold expensive recreations of Star Wars costumes (see the photo of the Imperial Officer uniform for $625) and companies that sold Mr. Toast and Japanese anime-inspired dolls. There was even a company that was marketing a cologne inspired by Star Trek (see photo) and a Free Hug line (price = FREE). And, of course, there were the big film companies, television production companies, toy companies, and more that dominated the exhibit hall with their huge displays.

While more than a few of these small start-up companies might be gone by the time Comic-Con 2010 rolls around, many will thrive and grow. Why? Because they are providing something that their customers want to buy -- and they are making a profit doing it. If a visit to Comic-Con doesn't convince you that entrepreneurship is an extremely powerful force -- and alive and well -- then I don't know what will.