Are Entrepreneurs Born or Created?
My cousin once told me that she wished she wasn’t an artist. She meant that she wished she didn’t have that underlying desire to create because it often stopped her from making money or stole time away from school or family. She doesn’t get the best grades and works several jobs to support herself.
But, she is only truly herself when she paints. I told her it was her calling and that she should honor it. If she put more positive energy into doing what she loves, instead of knocking what she loves – maybe she’d be able to support herself with her art.
But, maybe that was just the entrepreneur in me, talking. It’s a voice in my head that’s been interrupting my conversations for as long as I can remember. It’s the same impulse that inspired me to create a babysitter’s club at age 12, and host neighborhood fun fairs at ages 11-13.
It is my calling.
One of my best friends recently asked me if I ever considered that maybe I was “put here” for really huge things. “At least twice a day,” I told her. If you are really an entrepreneur, then you know the calling and the desire. You know that no matter how many times you’d like to just “fit in” at a party and talk about The Soprano’s or something – you’ll be lured into bringing up business.
People will always have questions and criticisms about your latest venture. When others have constant comments about YOUR lifestyle, it means that you’ve triggered something for them.
My entrepreneurial spirit has caused conflict with family, teachers and previous employers. While I never wished to stir up trouble, I always HAD to do what I felt was right. Some call me stubborn or unwilling to conform. But to me, I’m just me.
I believe I was born to be what I am. Born to be an entrepreneur. I chose to go to school and associate with people who would help me improve many of my skills. But, the gift to create and completely involve myself and others in my creations is inherent.
As entrepreneurialism becomes more and more trendy, we see college courses offered in the subject, and magazine “How To” articles devoted to teaching people how to do what we do. To me, it’s kind of like reading “Painting for Dummies.”
Entrepreneurialism is not a career that you can study for. It’s a lifestyle that you need to grow with.
10 Comments
lawrence
June 11th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Both - it’s both, entrepreneurs are both born and created
coming back to the article, it’s a shame when people with natural, born talent don’t hone their skill to the next level - to really make something of themselves…and step aside from belonging in the herd
born “entrepreneurs” usually do things for the natural love of it - but lack business acumen to really transform themselves to an Entrepreneur - with a capital E
David Askaripour
June 11th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I’ve always believed that entrepreneurship is inherent in people. We are born entrepreneurs, not made into entrepreneurs. Sure, we can teach entrepreneurial principles and practices…but that won’t make one an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is a state of mind… not a skill that can be acquired. We can grow “businessmen” in school and from reading books n such…but no, not entrepreneurs. They aren’t created, they are born into this world.
Luc Arnold
June 11th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
The right conditions need to be there for someone to become an entrepreneur. If it was solely business skills that allowed entrepreneurs to become entrepreneurs the world would be full of many more “entrepreneurs” then there are today. It takes a personal drive, committment to set goals and see them through and that is just off the top of my head.
Being an Entrepreneur is a lifestyle that most people cannot get into. Thats just my opinion
Luc
JaWar
June 11th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I think the question of are Entrepreneurs Born or Created, is similar to the old age question of nurture vs. nature. I think to some degree entrepreneurs are born, but they can be created, if they desire it. Thank you for the post. My Make Money Online Goldmine is relatively knew, but it would be great if you were to visit and leave a comment. Thank you.
Gina Laverde
June 12th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Thanks all for your replys!!
Luc,
I agree that most people cannot get into the entrepreneur lifestyle — But I feel it’s mostly because they lack the drive or the ability to see their ideas through. I think all of us are born with innate gifts, and the entrepreneur’s gift is to be able to take advantage of their circumstances and create something worthwhile out of their ideas. Conditions make a huge difference. Of course, it’s easier to have money and resourses — But, I’ve never had much of either of those and I am succeeding. There are ways of overcoming negative conditions if you are driven. And drive is inherent.
Gina Laverde
June 12th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
JaWar: Well said… Thank you! Perhaps it is that desire or passion that won’t shut up that really separates us from the rest.
Gina Laverde
June 12th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
JaWar: please e-mail me a link to your site. I was unable to locate it through mindpetals links. my e-mail is ginalaverde@hotmail.com. Thanks
Dave from Manchester
June 13th, 2007 at 9:31 am
I agree that there are lots of people that are lucky enough to be ‘natural’ entrepreneurs but I also think you can become one if you really want to.
For me its all about education. I live in England and went to a standard comprehensive school back in the late 80’s. There was never any chance of me leaving school and becoming a pilot/lawyer/stockbroker, it was always going to be plumber/electrician/bus driver, simply because the options weren’t there at the time. I ended up joining the army but eventually over time I’ve realised through the power of the internet and sites such as mind petals that anyone can be an entrepreneur if they work hard enough and even hold down a full time job at the same time! I’m currently honing my html skills and working on a couple of websites and even though I’m 31 years old (shock!!) I still feel theres more than enough time to make things happen.
Keep up the good work guys.
Eric
June 13th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I think entrepreneurs are born and not born. There are certain skills you can develop. Obviously, some people are already genetically predisposed to these skills, and many of them are extroverts whose networking ability is part of who they are. I kind of touched on this on my blog when I wrote about Steven Spielberg. I don’t think he was a born entrepreneur. He was a born filmmaker. But he honed his business skills over the years and learned from the execs he worked with.
David Askaripour
June 13th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Dave, I admire your passion! You are right, you can coax your entrepreneurial skills from within you. But, still, I think that there has to be, at least, an iota of entrepreneurship already in you. Something which I think that you were born with. Sure, we are all “capable” of being millionaires, but most people will never be one (this is just an example). Keep on honing those HTML skills! I can feel that you are going to be a rockstar developer.. Please keep us, Mind Petals, in the loop of your progress.
Yeah Eric, we can hone skills and grow into bigger and better entrepreneurs.
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