First, let’s establish exactly what an entrepreneur is. The Wikipedia online encyclopedia defines it as “someone who establishes a new entity, to offer a new or existing product or service in a new or existing market. Entrepreneurs often have strong beliefs about a market opportunity and are willing to accept a high level of personal commitment. , professional or financial risk to pursue that opportunity”.
The ‘born or made’ question seems to be the basic argument between nature and nurture. Certainly if one is born with certain personality traits they will help in entrepreneurship. It seems pretty obvious that entrepreneurs are born and made. Maybe they will evolve too. Pedigree and luck probably play a part. But genes alone are unlikely to be enough.
Research shows that there is such a person as an “entrepreneurial type”, with certain characteristics. Often these guys have had a mother or father who was also an entrepreneur. An excellent example of this type of character would be Sir Richard Branson, the English owner/operator of the Virgin group of companies. His mother instilled certain characteristics in young Richard before he grew up.
Without a doubt, if you are a born leader, with a highly organized and competitive personality, and you are self-assured and prepared to work endless hours indefinitely, then you are on the right track.
But you’ll also need to have the right resources, be in good health, have lots of energy, and have a supportive partner or network of friends. Would you be happy to give up short-term success for long-term gain? Can you take risks and communicate your experience to others? Do you have a burning desire to be the best? These are all skills and attributes that are demanded of entrepreneurs.
Also, you will have to have a built-in desire for achievement. Being a workaholic and having the quality to nurture your business until it grows. Being optimistic will certainly help, and it goes without saying that you will need to accept that you are fully responsible for all aspects of your business.
In academic circles, the “demand” theory is now the most widely accepted. This theory believes that entrepreneurs emerge from the mix of entrepreneurial opportunities and people who are in a position to take full advantage of them.
Therefore, the theory says that anyone who meets the right conditions can also become an entrepreneur. The secret seems to be finding a solution to a problem, or filling a niche, and being the only person who can achieve that goal.
So if you have a goal of becoming an entrepreneur, but have not achieved it so far in your life, there is hope. Maybe you were just waiting for the perfect idea and the perfect moment. Maybe that time is now?
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