Everyone has a good business idea occasionally, but what is it that sets entrepreneurs aside from the average hard worker? People believe it’s ambition, raw talent, luck, or the ability to churn out good ideas. The truth is they’re all right, but they’re also wrong. It doesn’t take innate skills to turn a simple idea into a profitable business; most entrepreneurs have no formal business training when they decide to start their own company. Some of them don’t even have degrees. The following list shows some of the qualities of an entrepreneur. Perhaps you have what it takes without knowing.
They value education
Even if they have no formal qualifications, entrepreneurs are always taking the opportunity to learn. They attend workshops, trade shows, and lectures so they can stay up to date on their industry, and develop new skills to become a better business owner. Smart entrepreneurs know that it takes more than just having a good idea to become successful; they need to know how to market their startup so it gets noticed. Therefore, the listen to experts and take their advice on board before they even begin. There’s no sense in quitting your job and depriving yourself of income before you start making money from your idea.
They welcome feedback
Whether you actually enjoy constructive criticism or not, you understand that it’s not an attack against you personally and you welcome the advice from more experienced people. Entrepreneurs rely on feedback from colleagues, mentors, and customers to point out where things aren’t working, especially in the early stages. They know how to use this information to improve their products, services, and their whole business.
They see an opportunity
All good entrepreneurs know how to spot a business opportunity. It can either be a fresh idea, or they can find a way to fill a need in an established market. Sara Blakely made millions with her invention of Spanx Shapewear, and Steve Voudouris spotted a lack of enjoyable customer service for Jeep enthusiasts, so he created an engaging, customer focused shopping experience after acquiring Extreme Terrain. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to consider yourself an entrepreneur. You just need to know an opportunity when you see one.
They love a challenge
What is a challenge if not another opportunity presenting itself? At least, that’s how most entrepreneurs would see it. They’re usually the kind of person who always rises to the occasion. If you also have these traits, you might have a future as an entrepreneur. Overcoming adversity is part of being an entrepreneur. You must learn to embrace it and use it as motivation to work harder if you want to be successful at running a business.
They’re not afraid of failure
Entrepreneurs aren’t afraid to fall down or stumble. They recognize that failure is a part of the journey and are willing to struggle a little to achieve a lot. They also understand that even the most successful business owners had their setbacks when they started.
Black and Latinx Founders featured in 'Founding in Color'