16 Vital Traits Shared by All Successful Entrepreneurs

The first step in deciding whether to start a business is to ask yourself this important question: "Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?" A variety of experts have documented research that indicates that successful small business entrepreneurs, whether male or female, have some common characteristics. How do you measure up? It will be up to you -- not someone else telling you ­- to develop projects, organize your time and follow through on details.

Contrary to conventional opinion, an entrepreneur can be either an introvert or an extrovert. The basic difference is, introverts tend to focus their energy internally and often work better by themselves. Extroverts focus their energy externally. They usually work better in groups, or teams. Very few people are completely one way or the other. Most fall somewhere in between. True entrepreneurs:

1. Have a passion for what they do.

2. Have "street smarts." They don't stay locked up in their ivory towers.

3. Have the capability of excelling in at least one area of business.

4. Become an authority on what they do, and monitor the progress of their endeavors.

5. Are team builders. They excel at bringing people into the enterprise who are smarter and more skilled in specific areas.

6. Ask for what they want and need and are relentless and tenacious at problem solving.

7. Realize the need for the help and support of others.

8. Understand that success rarely comes without total commitment. The only limitations they face are the ones they impose upon themselves.

9. Have high energy.

10. Have extraordinary self-confidence.

11. Set long-term goals.

12. Perceive money as a measure of accomplishment.

13. Persist in problem-solving and have a knack for getting more accomplished with less.

14. Take initiative and moderate risks, learn from failure, and seek and use feedback.

15. Accept personal responsibility, and use all available resources.

16. Believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence.

The most successful entrepreneurs are certainly not the most intelligent or the most highly educated. But they are creative, highly motivated, intuitive and possess the ability to recognize opportunities when they spot them.

Michael (Mike) Brassil is author of "The Only Business Start-Up Guide Your Will Ever Need." Download two chapters -- Starting a New Business and The Home Working Revolution -- at: http://www.ImpactGuide.com

---

Franchises - Success and You

Many people believe owning a franchise will make them rich,... Read More

Differentiation Strategies for Franchise Companies

With the growing number of franchise offerings recently it is... Read More

Entrepreneurial Excerpt from a Speech to Small Business

Having built a business from a bucket of water and... Read More

Goals and New Venture Creation

More and more corporate workers are leaving their jobs to... Read More

Street Smarts Vs Book Smarts, What Does It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur

The latest series in "The Apprentice" features 2 distinct group... Read More

Use Your Youth To Your Advantage

You should wait until you're older and have more business... Read More

Leadership Attributes for Business Success

Business success is essentially the result of successful leadership. Contrary... Read More

Youth Entrepreneurship, A Disappointing Truth

The psychology of entrepreneurship can be very rewarding to one... Read More

Success Secrets - What I, Mike Litman Learned From This Old Book

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in New York and... Read More

Making the Financial Transition

Making the financial transition from paid employment to earning a... Read More

Will Your Business Survive Without You?

I had a health scare in December.As it turns out,... Read More

Work On, Not In Your Business

Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you... Read More

The Business Leader as Ultramarathoner

Have you ever heard of an ultramarathon? A standard marathon... Read More

Key to Starting Your Own Clothing Company

Starting your own private label clothing company is not as... Read More

Before the Business Plan

Purveyors of conventional wisdom would have you believe that the... Read More

Business Is No Guarantee of Riches

Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems... Read More

Increasing Business BIGTIME with a Successful Referral System

What I've discovered from most of my small business clients... Read More

Entrepreneurs, Are You Hauling Buckets?

Once upon a time, there was a village on the... Read More

Is Running a Business for You?

Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Not... Read More

Determine Your Niche & Be Successful

What's a niche?Dictionary.com provides a great, twofold definition:"A situation or... Read More

The New Paradigm for Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - Control Your Destiny

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?When you think of becoming... Read More

7 Small Business and Self Employed Law of Attraction Principles For Success

It is widely held that one of the most important... Read More

Bring That Difference To Your Business!

Romans had a phrase for this- First among Equals.Online marketing... Read More

5 Tips to Step Boldly into the World & Set Yourself Apart from Others

"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else... Read More

PR That Entrepreneurs Often Overlook

If that sounds like you, here's what you may be... Read More

5?4?3? 2...1?

A streak dating back more than three decades came to... Read More

Entrepreneurship: Insight and Closer Look At The Entrepreneur

Life as an entrepreneur is the American Dream. To be... Read More

Realism vs. Optimism in the Business Plan

The most important function of a business plan is to... Read More

The Desire For Money, Do You Have Business Sense?

For those of us who grew up with parents who... Read More

Lets Not Forget About The Little Guy

Every business has to start somewhere. What truly makes this... Read More

The Boss is DEAD!

Some of us are born into families with "it", some... Read More

CHINESE TAKE-OUT: Oriental Business Principles Demystified For Online Enterprises

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that... Read More