3 Traits of a Born Entrepreneur – Do You Have Them?

The lifestyle of an entrepreneur seems so glamorous, right? Impressions aside, it is definitely not for everyone. Answer these three questions to determine if you have what it takes to be successful in an entrepreneurial world.

Know that when you look at a successful etsy business or retail shop, you’re really only seeing their highlight reel. You’re seeing all the good things that have come as a result of many challenges and tears.
Their struggle to achieve what you now see in front of you is hidden because you weren’t there walking the journey with them. You are seeing only the results.

So how can you figure out if you’re cut out to go into business for yourself? How do you know if you have what it takes?

Ask yourself these three questions. Be honest here! 

Question 1 – Are you truly, genuinely, and sincerely passionate about the product or service you’re going to provide?

Do you have a deep down belief and commitment to the business you want to create? If not, when things get tough – you’ll quit. Plain and simple. It all will become an insurmountable struggle!

BUT

If you love and are passionate about what you’re doing, when the roadblocks pop up, you will have the motivation to figure things out. You’ll have the endurance to overcome … no matter what obstacles appear.

Question 2 – Are you resourceful?

Resourcefulness is the ability to find answers to questions or challenges by yourself, without having to depend on other people to provide guidance to you. This does not mean you don’t seek out advice. But you initiate and take action to find solutions.

Examples of being resourceful are:

• Finding and asking someone with experience for help
• Researching solutions online
• Taking a class or attending a conference

AND

Resourceful means testing out an idea or process to make sure it works for you. Not just copying what you’ve seen others do. It might not be the right thing for your business!

AND

Sometimes resourceful means creating a new system or process when the right one isn’t out there already. It may mean creating your own solution.

Question 3 – What is your “why”?

The “WHY” is the value that your product or service provides. It is the reason your business exists in the first place!

What is a good “WHY”?

If you own a gift basket business, perhaps you provide value by helping your customers with their client retention or business growth. You don’t only make gift baskets … there is a business result the gift baskets provide.

Or if you have a bakery, perhaps you provide a place for people to visit with friends over a cup of tea and a sweet treat.

A good example of this is Starbucks. Obviously they make coffee. But the higher-level purpose is they provide a meeting place. Here people can deepen personal relationships, have business meetings, or work in a productive atmosphere. It’s about more than the coffee.

What is NOT a good “WHY”?

Making money!

Of course if you start a business you plan to make a profit.

But if that is your primary focus,

… when the journey becomes a struggle,

… when your work week stretches to sixty hours or longer,

… when reality sets in…

you will not have the passion or the “WHY” required to keep going.

If you can answer YES to all three questions, then you have the key qualities it takes.

You should consider becoming an entrepreneur!

Are you ready to go on a wonderful, exciting, and fulfilling journey?

Will you make mistakes – of course! Will there be frustrations – you know it! Will there be days when you ask yourself why you’re doing this – without a doubt!

But you have the passion…you have the resources…and you have the why to succeed!

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For more free business support consider listening to my podcast Gift Biz Unwrapped where I interview gifters-bakers-crafters-makers who share how they started and built their businesses. Want to talk with me directly? I’m only an email away. I’d love to hear about you, your business and what you’re working on right now. sue@suemonhait.com

About the author, Sue

With over 30 years of business development and marketing experience, I've been fortunate to work with hundreds of companies of all sizes. Their needs range from start-up guidelines to advanced business building strategies. As current founder and owner of The Ribbon Print Company, we continue to recognize the need for these services ... not just for our customers but for the gifting industry as a whole. That's where the inspiration began for the Gift Biz Unwrapped Podcast and Blog.

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