VetPower.Org wants to help you find the career solution that is right for you. Not everyone is cut out to own and operate their own business. Answering a few simple questions will help you determine if self employment is the right path for you. Below we have provided you with some common traits of successful entrepreneurs. See if you think these apply to you, then answer the self assessment questions to see if owning your own business might be the right direction for you.
Note that arriving at a conclusive portrait of a typical entrepreneur is very difficult. Therefore, you may score low on the assessment and still succeed as an entrepreneur.
A Need to Achieve
Entrepreneurs have a strong need for achievement. They strive to excel and accomplish objectives that are quite high. You should be willing to set high goals for yourself and enjoy striving to achieve those goals.
Willing to Work Hard
Self-employment requires a great deal of time and effort. The entrepreneur must perform a wide variety of time-consuming tasks. 77% of all entrepreneurs report working 50 hours or more per week, and 54% say that they work more than 60 hours per week. Such a time commitment requires that you have a high energy level.
You Want Financial Success
A primary reason that most entrepreneurs have for going into business is to achieve financial success. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you need to establish a reasonable financial goal that you want to achieve through self-employment. This goal will help you measure how well you are doing in fulfilling your personal needs through an entrepreneurial career.
Self-confidence
An important characteristic of entrepreneurs is self-confidence. This factor is particularly important when you face major challenges and difficulties with your business. You need to believe in yourself. Your belief will help you overcome the problems that inevitably affect all self-employed persons at some point in their careers.
Integrity
People often cite honesty and integrity as characteristics of entrepreneurs. Customers do not want to deal with business owners who are dishonest and unethical. You should feel positive about your ethical treatment of people and be committed to conducting your business with the utmost integrity.
Determination
One of the most important characteristics of entrepreneurs is determination. This trait is closely related to self-confidence. The more you believe in yourself, the more likely you are to continue to struggle for success when faced with tremendous obstacles. You need determination in order to overcome the problems that beset every new venture.
Adaptable to Change
A new business changes rapidly, so an entrepreneur must be able to adapt to change. Two primary skills are required for adaptation to change: the capacity to solve problems, and the ability to make quick decisions. Another skill is the ability to learn from your mistakes.
Family Support
A successful entrepreneur needs family support. If you are married, your spouse must believe in your business because it will require that both of you sacrifice time and money. The stress may create disruptions in family relationships. If you have children, they will need encouragement in understanding your need to spend so much time away from the family. The more positive support you receive from your family, the more you can concentrate on making the business a success.
Energy
Self-employment requires long work hours. You will frequently be unable to control the number of hours required to fulfill all the necessary tasks. The entrepreneur must have a high energy level to respond to the job’s demands.
Personal Responsibility
Successful entrepreneurs have an inner sense of responsibility for the outcome of a venture. To be an entrepreneur, you should have a strong sense of being a “victor” who is responsible for your actions. If, however, you often consider yourself a “victim” and blame other people, bad luck, or difficult circumstances for your failures, entrepreneurship might not be the right career move for you.
Willing to Take Risks
Entrepreneurs are risk takers. They risk their careers, time and money in order to make a success of their businesses. To be successful in self-employment, you should feel comfortable taking reasonable risks.
Willing to Provide Your Own “Benefits”
One of the major realities of self-employment is that you won’t receive a regular paycheck. You pay for your own fringe benefits. A nice office, secretarial assistance, equipment and other features of employment you have grown to expect are no longer available unless you provide them for yourself.
Business Experience
An entrepreneur should have some level of business experience to be successful. General management experience is beneficial because an entrepreneur should know something about all types of management. Formal training and education in management also are helpful
Independent
Entrepreneurs like to be independent and in control of situations. Many people who become self- employed consider the opportunity to be their own boss as one of the major benefits of self-.employment. Although being independent may not be a major concern for you, it is certainly an aspect of self-employment that you need to feel comfortable with. If you cannot afford to hire other employees when you begin your business, you may at first be lonely as a self-employed person.
A Good Network of Professionals
An entrepreneur has a good network of professionals. This network provides access to those who can be consulted for advice, information, and referrals. (VetPower.Org can help you in this area by providing you with an extensive network of professionals to whom you can turn for assistance.)
Go to: Self Assessment Questions
