Is being an Entrepreneur learned or inherited at birth?

SFC Doug Lee — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 06:23:36 -0500

Interested to see the reaction on this one. I always hear people say that they are not cut out to be in business or their not a salesman or what have you. Does this mean there are only a chosen few from birth who have the right and the skills to become an affluent business owner?

Response by SFC Jeff Gurchinoff made Feb 9 at 2015 10:33 AM

SFC Jeff Gurchinoff — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 10:33:58 -0500

Too many people make business decisions based on emotion rather than numerical facts. Rather than listen to what statistical data might show and run a business based on economics some decide to do things because it is in their heart to do so. You may have an overwhelming desire to bring joy and happiness to the masses, but unless it is marketable and people are willing to pay for the service.... business will fail. I do not think it is "inherited". Business that succeed do so based on more revenue coming in than expenditures going out and they consistently do so (not a fad) for many years in all types of economic climates. Business that run on emotion rarely accomplish this unless they are just fortunate enough to have a solid business model to begin with. Supply and demand economics cannot be defeated with emotion. Things like "Location, location, location" are as significant as the type of business and customer base in the area. The internet and global distribution certainly help overcome location. It does not matter how much you may want to or how much your heart is telling you to do so.. you will not sell mass quantities of computers to the Amish. If these things are not obvious, they must be learned.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 9 at 2015 2:05 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:05:56 -0500

I don't know of any attribute that a successful business person is born with that anyone else is not. If you don't believe you're a salesperson, you've already defeated yourself. If you don't believe you can make it owning your own business, you've again defeated yourself.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 9 at 2015 2:23 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:23:39 -0500

I used to work for an "Entrepreneur." He definitely had some "natural" skill at it.

I however had other skills which he definitely lacked. Over time, I like to believe I picked things up from him. I don't think I am anywhere near his base + learned level, but I was at a passable level.

I've always seen more self as more of the #2 guy. I don't have the "vision" (or the touch of madness) to be an actual Entrepreneur. But I have the skills to be high up in an organization.

Later in my career, I met a manager, and something he taught me was "hire people who have skills you lack."

For those of us who did the HR Interview, "What are your strengths, what are you weaknesses..blah blah blah?" thing, this is actually a great question. For an Entrepreneur, it's the key question for self assessment. "Who do I need to surround myself with, to be successful."

There's a reason COs have XOs & Staff Officers.

So is it learned or inherited? Probably quite a bit of both. The Vision is probably inherited, but without training (learning), they'll fail, and even those most trained person has to have the right Inspiration or you'll never get off the ground.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2015 7:13 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:13:07 -0500

SFC Doug Lee. Entrepreneurs are born with inherited abilities . . . but must learn the relevant disciplines.
Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 4:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 04:12:54 -0500

So has anyone that's responded to this thread been private messaged about an "opportunity"?

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 9:13 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 09:13:32 -0500

Look at current CEOs. Steve Jobs (technically not current) and Bill Gates are two totally different types of people with totally different strengths. That's why they have a board and chief officers. You may be great at coming up with product ideas but terrible with a budget. That's where your CFO comes in. Some CEOs focus on handling the general path of the company, and some are more involved in the actual product or service. I think the key to being an entrepreneur is to know your strengths and weaknesses. Play to your strengths, and find someone to cover your 6.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 11:22 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 11:22:07 -0500

Good question, it's like asking, where does motivation come from?

There is an inherent desire/motivation to succeed among entrepreneurs. I do believe some of this, we can be born with it, however to solely give credit to nature vs. nurture (credit to eternal influences like mom or dad) would be difficult to prove in any type of science experiment.

With that said, I think a little healthy dose of nature combined with a significant portion of nurture, as well as opportunity and preparation....all coalesce into this individual that sees himself as a self-starter. versus someone that has an employee mentality; working to making else someone else rich. To take away from himself and his family, an employee sees security, an entrepreneur sees opportunity.

Being self-employed is usually someone that is a risk-taker, but whom is also willing to take care of those that help him succeed.

A saying comes to mind; 'Dance with the person that brought you'.

A self-starter isn't someone that seeks glory and fame, because that isn't always guaranteed...many entrepreneurs actually fail before they succeed.

Response by MSgt Jim Pollock made Feb 10 at 2015 12:43 PM

MSgt Jim Pollock — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 12:43:48 -0500

I think entrepreneurship is analogous to leadership as an art/skill hybrid. As a skill, it can be taught to anyone up to an adequate, but finite level of competency. It takes talent, however, to consistently recognize the very best opportunities and get the most out of them. Also, as in most arts, some people will perfectly grasp the principles and techniques. but will never be able to apply them very well.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 10 at 2015 6:57 PM

SGT Richard H. — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 18:57:41 -0500

Plain and simple. You work your butt off for it, find a little luck along the way, and make a lot of your own luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2015 11:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:20:51 -0500

I think that it can be either or both. Some people just naturally have a knack for certain things, and some people have to work hard and learn the way a business is supposed to work. In the middle of those two types of people you have individuals that are somewhat business savvy but still need a little extra education and/or training to really be successful. I feel like if you really wanted to be an entrepreneur, nothing would stop you if you were determined to succeed. Its the people that think they know the right way to do it, and that is the only way they will try. Those people wont take advice from others no matter how successful that other person may be..... those are the ones who fail.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Feb 11 at 2015 12:28 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:28:34 -0500

How funny, I just took the first day of the Entrepreneur ACAP class today and this same question was asked. Personally, I think anyone can do it, provided they are prepared to work for their dream. I plan on being a part time Entrepreneur once I get out. My plan is to get out (very soon now), use Voc Rehab to go back to school and build furniture on the side.

Response by SGT Patrick James made Feb 11 at 2015 4:49 AM

SGT Patrick James — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 04:49:35 -0500

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Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Feb 11 at 2015 8:01 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 08:01:35 -0500

While I think that people are born with different personal attributes, people are not "born leaders" or "born entrepreneurs". Their personal experiences while growing up, their education, motivation, and opportunities all play into their ability to lead or have an entrepreneurial spirit.

I often recall a statement I used to make when teaching leadership classes: "Although I have seen thousands of obituaries for leaders, I have yet to ever see a birth announcement for one."

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Feb 11 at 2015 10:59 AM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 10:59:02 -0500

Learned. I owned and ran a Snapon franchise for over 19 yrs. My training was the 24 yrs I spent in the Navy. If you are willing to work 80 hours a week and pay attention to your business you will be successful

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 11 at 2015 2:09 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:09:04 -0500

The entrepreneurial spirit is something that is deeply intrinsic. However having the passion doesn't always equate to a sustainable business model as 8 out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months. Part of this is due to that passion and commitment with many refusing to change or realize that their business model is off target and go down with the ship. Half the students in my MBA program had aspirations of owning a business some day. In fact some had already tried and failed and were getting an MBA in an effort to improve their business acumen.

Some kids want lemonade, some kids want the lemonade stand, and then there are the kids that want the lemon and sugar farms to control external cost.

Response by SSgt Obom Bowen made Mar 11 at 2016 5:21 PM

SSgt Obom Bowen — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 17:21:44 -0500

Being and Entrepreneur, is definitely learned over time especially in becoming a good one. The English version is a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so. The very word itself SFC Doug Lee as you may know derives from the French. Made popular by Jean aka John Baptiste. The distinguishing feature of an entrepreneur was that they assume both the risk and the management of a business. in short a great Entrepreneur is a Calculated risk taker.

To whom assumes the greater risk deserves the greatest rewards.

Any help i can provide let me know. i have been an Entrepreneur all my adult life.