People often talk about traits of the entrepreneur. Things come up like passion, persistence, dreamer, leader, and so on. Sometimes you’ll see direct opposites—as if, for example, entrepreneurs are always doers instead of dreamers.
I posted a couple of lists myself, this year: 10 signs you’re probably an entrepreneur as listed by Andrew Patrico on Twitter, and 35 Common Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. Note the distinction between probably being an entrepreneur and being a successful entrepreneur.
Kelly Spors, small business columnist of The Wall Street Journal, has another list of traits in her column this week: So, You Want to Be an Entrepreneur. She does it with a list of questions you should answer.
1. Are you willing and able to bear great financial risk?
2. Are you willing to sacrifice your lifestyle for potentially many years?
3. Is your significant other on board?
I had to add a special note to this one: It’s way more important than most people realize.
4. Do you like all aspects of running a business?
5. Are you comfortable making decisions on the fly with no playbook?
6. What’s your track record of executing your ideas?
7. How persuasive and well-spoken are you?
8. Do you have a concept you’re passionate about?
9. Are you a self-starter?
10. Do you have a business partner?
These are all worth answering for yourself and thinking about—a lot—as you do.
Tim Berry is the founder and chairman of Palo Alto Software and Bplans.com. Follow him on Twitter @Timberry.
