Entrepreneurs Are Not Born, They're (Self) MADE

Second article in Entrepreneurs series - by Trevor Nel - appearing in The Star Workplace:

Entrepreneurs are not born, they're (self) made

Original submission:

Forget about what the experts say is the right ‘profile’ for an entrepreneur, suggests Trevor Nel, author of Confessions of a SERIAL Entrepreneur, the reality is that entrepreneurs generally get into business because they want to… or because they have to.

Whether entering into entreprenurial business by desire or forced into survival mode by circumstance, it appears that entrepreneurs can surface in all shapes and sizes, regardless of race, colour, gender or creed, and are stimulated by very different painful experiences and/or pleasurable expectations.

‘In over 30 years of personal entrepreneurial business activity, I’ve yet to meet any two entrepreneurs who looked alike or who operated their businesses in the same manner,’ says Nel.

‘The truth is that entrepreneurs are a unique, independent-minded, innovative business breed who tend to take or make their own paths and create their own luck.’

Entrepreneurs generally have or develop the ability to:

· reduce the complex to the simple;

· to see that which others cannot see;

· to travel down roads that that others fear to tread;

· to treat every journey, twist and turn, as an adventure;

· to focus on their end goal whilst enjoying every step of the way.

The secret to entrepreneurship is recognising that business is a simple function of providing or developing a product or service that consumers want or need and who demonstrate that they are willing and able to pay for it.

Being keen life-long students of basic business principles, entrepreneurs understand that sales must generate more incoming revenue than outgoing costs, leaving a slice for the Receiver plus an acceptable after-tax profit to satisfy their personal needs and to finance their future dreams.

However, as with any new path in life, the astute entrepreneur recognises that the unexpected is waiting around every corner to sabotage every grand plan. Nothing is guaranteed in life, and neither is it in business.

Counter-intuitive to general expectation, savvy entrepreneurs tend to be extremely risk-averse in their planning and preparation. They have an intense understanding of their downside on new ventures and look to minimise their risks to a fault.

Comments Nel: ‘My advice to first-time entrepreneurs is to make certain you have enough capital in personal savings behind you, or to find a part-time job of some description, to make certain that you can feed, house and clothe your family... while you are building your business!

‘Put your family’s basic needs first.’

Young entrepreneurs therefore, between 18 to 24 years of age, who are still fortunate enough to be living at home and with little responsibility for supporting a family, have the greatest opportunity to test their skills in business by risking everything.

Ends. (Word Count 447)

by Trevor Nel – Developer: INNER Circle Business Forum – www.innercircleforum.com - 011- 705-2790

Possible Headline Copy:
1. The Makings Of An Entrepreneur
2. Entrepreneurship Made Simple
3. Entrepreneurs Defy Profiles

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 - 705-2790 - http://www.innercircleforum.com/
trevor@innercircleforum.com