Successful Traits of an Entrepreneur

It has been written many times that entrepreneurs blaze new trails in the business world by visualizing success and then acting upon it. Unfortunately, a lot more goes on below the surface.

Therefore, before you take the plunge and become an entrepreneur, see if you have what it takes to make it on your own:

Entrepreneurs Build Relationships

Because successful businesses have customers and employees, people skills are always at the top of the list. Great entrepreneurs are strong at networking and meeting new people. We establish ourselves in the community and join civic groups to give our business more visibility. We enjoy managing people and will work to retain valuable employees.

Entrepreneurs Strive For Results

A successful entrepreneur produces results, not a bunch of unprofitable activities (e.g. what I like to call ‘perception of progress’). We monitor milestones and time which is precious. We're continuously evaluate our results and change our minds on a regular basis. Working for us drives people crazy.

Entrepreneurs Motivate and Cheerlead

Being able to motivate yourself and employees is a key personality trait. We can't sit back and wait for the business to come to us; we have to make it happen. An employee isn't going to have the same interest in the success of the business as the owner. It's up to the entrepreneur to help employees care about success and to recognize their important efforts toward making it happen.

Entrepreneurs Demonstrate Calmness and Confidence

Especially in these trying economic times, a successful entrepreneur has to be a rock, a strong foundation on which the business depends. We follow markets and recognize what's happening but do not panic or run around screaming that the sky is falling. We simply focus on the fundamental tasks in the business that drive success and keep calm while helping employees get the important work done.

Entrepreneurs Are Always Positive and Optimistic

A successful entrepreneur has a positive and forward-looking attitude. We focus on opportunities and solutions rather than problems. We address any negative issues by solving them without worrying about establishing blame. We live in the present and plan for the future. We will not waste energy on yesterday when we know we can’t change a thing about past events and circumstances.

Entrepreneurs Try To Avoid Risk

We cannot eliminate risk. We can only avoid risk. We will looking at various alternatives to funding, collecting receivables, automated systems, hiring temps in order to minimize expense or maximize revenue. We will look at various advertising and marketing programs and try to choose ones which make the most sense. If we are lucky 1 out of 3 times, we are beating the odds.

Entrepreneurs Think Big-Picture

We have our eye on the prize at the end of the journey. We'll imagine our future income and lifestyle and do “whatever it takes” to keep the business going; which may require working long hours, cleaning the toilet, spending time away from family, or sweeping the sidewalk. There is no job too small or menial. If you can keep your eye on the big picture while doing the mundane, you will succeed.

Entrepreneurs Are Resilient

You can't hold a good entrepreneur down for long. We take the punches and bounce back quickly. We know that there will always be someone out there willing to do whatever it takes to steal our clients and destroy our business. We wake up everyday willing to “kill” or “be killed.”