"Business Owner" Does Not Equal "Entrepreneur"

Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.

That is one of the best definitions of "entrepreneur" that I have ever seen. It addresses the fact that true entrepreneurship goes very far beyond simply owning a business and into the very character of the person who starts businesses.  

I believe that "business owner" and "entrepreneur" are two very different things that are sometimes connected. 

It is possible to own a business without being of an entrepreneurial spirit. An example of this could be someone who bought an existing business in order to have the freedom of not being an employee anymore. They own the business, they have their freedom but they have no desire to reach out and explore with that business. they bought it as a solid investment and want to keep it running on that same track. So they do, and so it rewards them and that's great! This is a successful business owner, but not an entrepreneur.

It is also possible to be an entrepreneur without owning a business. Picture the guy working on the loading dock of a large company's warehouse. He comes up with ways to improve the warehouse system, he motivates his co-workers, he solves problems. Eventually he is noticed by management and is moved up in the company. His creative ideas end up changing the face of the company, it branches out in new directions because of his vision. The company grows, he is rewarded and that's great! He doesn't own the business but he is the entrepreneurial spirit that drives it. 

In most cases though, an entrepreneur usually wants to build something for himself. It sits within that definition, "Entrepreneurship is the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled."

The very nature of an entrepreneur makes them want to create something out of nothing. Because of the nature of this, there are certain traits that most successful entrepreneurs share:

•  They see opportunities where others don’t.
•  They have the creativity to imagine ways to reach that opportunity.
•  They have the desire to pursue that opportunity.
•  They have the courage to move forward with action.

When all of that comes together, you have an entrepreneur. Does it sound like you? If so, go forward boldly! 

Cliff Turner of Mobile Minds provides training and support to help you become the strongest entrepreneur you can possibly be.