Business Buzz - Making You Famous

Entrepreneurism is one of the best ways to become successful in today’s economy, which begs the question, “what is an entrepreneur?” “What makes them tick?”

Entrepreneur.com contributor Steve Tobak recently wrote an article challenging the commonly accepted definition of an entrepreneur. His definition expanded the dictionary definition of “someone who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money.” Instead, he suggested that you need more to be considered a “real entrepreneur.” He split entrepreneurs into two categories: the “fake ones” who fit the aforementioned definition and the real “entrepreneurs” who are all about challenges. He qualified that real entrepreneurs challenge everything, from manufacturing processes to tightly-held personal beliefs.

Tobak’s reasoning makes the case that entrepreneurism is about more than just business; it’s a way of life. Starting a business, any kind of business, is difficult, and it can be easy to get lost in the daily details without ever fully realizing your entrepreneurial dreams. Here are a few essential attitudes that will help you stay on the “real” entrepreneurial path:

1. Daydream – Entrepreneurs always have an open mind. It goes back to that “challenging” aspect. Entrepreneurs are always thinking about how to do something new, or how something old could be done better. They are never content with one way of thinking and working. That’s probably why they started their own business in the first place.

2. Aspire – Successful entrepreneurs have a clear vision. This doesn’t mean they pick a direction and stick to it. They are constantly adapting and exploring different paths; it’s part of what makes them an entrepreneur. They do however have a clear end goal in mind, and an idea of how they will get there. They also realize that being an entrepreneur is a journey, and that’s ok.

3. Bounce Back– Entrepreneurs have a positive attitude and a resiliency to rival Pollyanna herself. Part of the entrepreneurial game is dealing with failure and accepting that just because something didn’t work, doesn’t mean you are a failure. They bounce right back into the game and don’t let negative thoughts paralyze them. This is one of the most unique attributes of entrepreneurs.

4. Pay it Forward– Entrepreneurs are some of the most giving people, because they know what it is like to struggle and need help. They know it is a blessing to be able to do what they do and want to help “spread the love.”

5. Refresh – This can be mental or physical or sometimes both. An entrepreneur’s mind, much like his workload, never stops, so it is important to take breaks. Whether it is a quick walk around the block or a few quiet minutes of meditation, entrepreneurs realize the vital importance of stepping back (or out) every now and then (even several times a day if need be). Changing their point of view, talking to new people, or learning a new skill can all help entrepreneurs solve everyday problems in innovative way.

6. Evaluate- Entrepreneurs recognize the double meaning to the old adage, “time is money.” Yes, wasting time is like wasting money. But how valuable is your time, specifically? Learning to delegate and manage your time properly will help you make the most of this limited resource. Only you can do certain things. Let other people help with what they’re great at. Building a solid team and consistently evaluating your use of resources is crucial to your success as you grow.

7. Listen – Communication is vital for an entrepreneur. Miscommunications equal wasted time and resources as well as embarrassing faux pas, something no entrepreneur has time for. Good entrepreneurs recognize the need to communicate and listen well and will take the necessary time to learn to do so and implement it into their routine.

These seven characteristics are something that we think all entrepreneurs share and have a respect for. There are lots of other qualities we could have listed but these are what we have found to be the most valuable. Starting your own business can be scary and it is easy to get lost. We love working with our entrepreneur clients and would love to see how we can help improve your business.