Are You an Entrepreneur?

By Daile Tucker

Ask yourself this question, "Do I have what it takes to be a home entrepreneur?" Like any business venture, a home-based business requires an investment of time, energy and resources.

An entrepreneur is a person who has decided to take control of his future and become self-employed—whether by creating his own unique business or working as a member of a "team," as in multi-level marketing. There are several character traits and work ethics that are common to successful entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs are careful about money.
They always know how much money they have. They know the value and cost of things so they can recognize a real bargain.

Most entrepreneurs earned money when they were teenagers
— babysitting, mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, sacking groceries, etc.

Entrepreneurs are competitive by nature.
Many were active in sports and other competitions in high school and college. Others were competitive in wanting to make good grades, earn the respect of their parents and teachers and achieve their goals.

Entrepreneurs believe in the old adage, "the early bird gets the worm."
They sleep and eat enough to maintain their energy levels but they don't usually linger over nonproductive tasks.

Entrepreneurs are risk-takers who trust their hunches and act on them.
Taking risks can be small first steps, like placing your first ad in a mailorder publication.

Entrepreneurs have a "head for business."
They are always thinking of new ideas and new ways to make money or increase their business. They are not afraid to put these ideas to use.

Entrepreneurs are usually loners rather than joiners.
That's one reason why the home-based, mailorder business is so appealing to many entrepreneurs. They prefer a solitary work environment.

Entrepreneurs are usually honorable people
who do business based on a handshake or a promise. They tend to form strong associations with others who share this work ethic.

Entrepreneurs do set aside time for leisure activities and family.
Their principal form of relaxation is their work, but they do realize the importance of downtime and spend time with their family.

Entrepreneurs don't retire.
They may sell or change their business, thinking they will retire, but they always jump back in with a new project or get a new idea that they just can't ignore.

Entrepreneurs are professionals.
Whether working from their bedroom, the kitchen table or a modern, well-appointed home office, they operate just as they would if they were in an expensive office building in a major city. When they are working, they don't let outside influences distract them.

In general, entrepreneurs are people who have high energy, feel self-confident, set long-term goals, and view money and financial security as a measure of accomplishment and piece of mind.

They persist in problem solving, take risks, learn from failures (their own and from others), take the initiative, accept personal responsibility and use all available resources to achieve their success.

Entrepreneurs compete with themselves and believe that success or failure lies within their personal control or influence. They do not see non-successes as failures but as learning experiences. Most of all, they never give up and never quit striving for success.

If you fit most of these criteria, you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Success comes mainly from educating yourself and—A LOT OF HARD WORK!

Daile Tucker is an author and publisher of several mail order and home-business related publications, including the widely read and respected mail order newspaper, SmartShopper. She has operated a successful home business for the past 16 years.