How To Know If You're an Entrepreneur

Is it a skill that can be taught? Let's find out!

2 min read

Contrary to an apparently popular academic belief, I wholeheartedly disagree with the premise that an entrepreneurship class or an entrepreneurship degree, can actually make someone into an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is a personality trait. You either have it in you, or you don't. Now don't get me wrong, I do believe you can teach someone the skills they need to be successful at business. You can teach them how to budget, teach them about finance, teach them about inventory control, presenting to investors, online marketing, human resource or any of the thousands of other skills a business owner needs to be successful, but you CANNOT teach someone how to be okay with risk. You cannot teach someone how to sacrifice. You cannot teach someone how to be crazy enough to believe that they can build something out of nothing. Entrepreneurship is a way of life, not a job skill.

Now you may be asking yourself "How do I know if I'm cut out for entrepreneurship?" So to help you out I've compiled this list of questions to ask yourself.


1) Am I okay with uncertainty?

As an entrepreneur, you're in a constant state of uncertainty. No matter how big or how small a business is, the owner is always thinking about both the up and the downside. Microsoft is a billion dollar company, but I guarantee you Bill Gates still has sleepless nights. As an entrepreneur, you have to be okay knowing that things can go wrong. You have to be okay spending money, not knowing if the ROI will be there. You have to be okay with dealing with the unknown. If you're the type of person that needs constant control, this lifestyle isn't for you.

2) Do I need comfort of a salary?

There is an enormous amount of comfort in a salary. It's steady, it's always there, you can count on it. An entrepreneur does not have the comfort that comes with a salary. There is always an uneasiness surrounding cash flow. Additionally, even after you've grown your business to the point of steady consistent cash flow, if you're a good entrepreneur, you're always trying to take it to another level, because you know if your business isn't growing, it's dying. As such, more uncomfortable times lay ahead. If you NEED the comfort and security of a salary, this lifestyle isn't for you.

3) Am I creative?

There is a difference between being creative, and being artistic. An artist, by definition, is a person who practices any of the various creative arts, such as a sculptor, novelist, poet, or filmmaker. A creative however, is simply a person who is involved in the imagination of new ideas. So an artist is a creative, but a creative doesn't always need to be an artist. Entrepreneurs are creatives, they strive to imagine, and build and grow and CREATE.

4) Do I get bored easily?

If you spend time talking to a lot of entrepreneurs, you will learn that they're always changing their routines. They get bored easily and the absolute worst thing to them about working a 9-5 job was the monotony. There is no greater fear to an entrepreneur, than going to work day in and day out, doing the exact same tasks. Are you always seeking change?

5) Am I okay with failure?

Entrepreneurs know that failure is inevitable, so they aren't phased by it. They know there are always lessons to be learned, so even during failure they grow. Whether it's the failure of a particular product, or an entire business, an entrepreneur doesn't give up after it happens, they learn why the failure occurred then move on to the next project while trying not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Does this sound like you? Think you have what it takes?...