Are You Born An Entrepreneur?

And the debate rages on, is someone born to be an entrepreneur?  Or at least, are certain people pre-disposed to strike out independently and build their own businesses or is this a learned trait as you progress through life?

As with any nature, nurture debate the answer isn't entirely one-sided but rather a combination of factors.

Here are some factors to consider when determining if you fit the mold of an entrepreneur:

1. Do you come from a family of entrepreneurs – a small factor, but a factor just the same

2. Have you always been entrepreneurial?  It seems that having a paper route, early businesses or work with small businesses is a good precurser to proving entrepreneurial in later life.

3. Do you find yourself constantly filled with new ideas, frustrated by how little your current employment listens.  To some extent all employees suffer this feeling, for an entreprenuer it is far more painful than for most.

4. What is your tolerance for risk?  Indeed, do you even view running your own venture as risky?  Recent research has shown that many entrepreneurs have a higher tolerance for risk and indeed, some even see traditional employment as more risky than controlling their company.

Here's an article outlining some recent research questioning over 200 entrepreneurs to get to the bottom of the nature versus nurture debate.

What's missing from all of this?

Someone who focuses in on successful entrepreneurs versus not so successful.  There are many entrepreneurs that fail or are not happy with their work (think how many corner store operators just squeak out a living working 18-hour days 7-days each week – not exactly the picture you dream about when coming an entrepreneur is it?)

So – until research comes along that focuses on well rounded, financially successful entrepreneurs with some staying power, all of this will have to be taken with a very large chunk of salt.

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