Entrepreneurs - Made or Born

[Dan Nichols]

I've seen some posts discussing this and here is my spin on it.

Entrepreneurs are born out of a set of circumstances that help them to realize their own possibility. That is, the possibility that they too can become an entrepreneur.

You may think it was truly in your DNA but I'd argue (academically/philosophically argue) it was some set of circumstances you were exposed to that had you see the possibility.

For me it was my dad had a small side business laying carpet, my uncle had a printing business that I often worked in and then finally I worked for a guy for 6 months out of high school cutting lawns. He was a raging alcoholic and the light bulb went off for me that... man, if he could do it so could I.

There were a number of other pieces along the way but those were the big 3. What were your circumstances?

[pacificfame]

When I was twelve my friend introduced me to selling candy at my school. He would drop off some boxes of candy I would sell them and then pay him his share. I saved enough money up to go out and buy my own bulk candy and started selling on my own.

A few years later I started getting interested into web design. Now, I never became great at designing websites but I started networking in the industry with amateur web designers and I started helping them find clients. That is when I realized I loved the business side of web design and that is all I wanted to focus my efforts on.

A year later I connected with a professional web development company and started bringing them new clients from my efforts at a 25% commission. I was about fifteen at this time.

I tried getting into some other ventures and never really had much luck with anything else. Fast forward to today and without those previous experiences, I do not believe I would be where I am in business today.

[ron komorowski]

Dan...here's your perfect answer!!!!

I was born with a rare creative talent and talent to figure. I know that. That is how I came up with a historical invention Handi-Straps among other feats accomplished. BORN talent.

Well that is all nice, we all are BORN with some talent I truly believe, but the rest of the story I MADE with hard work as I have to prove the concept I created!!! This proving and MAKING my way through markets brings no boost from any talent I was BORN with so I think we are all MADE entrepreneurs. Here's your proof:

Bill Gates was thought of as lazy dropping out of school with a crazy idea he was pursuing.

Nathans, the company that really introduced the hot dog to the masses could not sell them in the beginning until they offered free lunch to doctors who would come in their white coats (This would show hot dogs are good and safe, the promotion did work)

Nobody would buy Thomas Edison's light bulbs at first as they thought they would burn the house down. He had to give them away.

Velcro was thought of as useless for 10 years by many manufacturers approached by inventor.

A U.S. President once said, "It is ridiculous to think the motorcar will someday replace the horse and buggy" (Mostly talking about Henry Ford)

Albert Einstein said "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" (This directly means for pioneers/entrepreneurs).

The founder of IBM told all employees they would change their name to International Business Machines. All in the company thought he had gone bonkers!!! They made meat grinders and time clocks.

Entrepreneurs are MADE...and the more extraordinary talent he is BORN with, the more different from the general public he is and that much harder to MAKE his success.

The inventor of anethesia was jailed for a year as they thought he was trying to kill people.

Ron Komorowski
Inventor of Handi-Straps
Handi Straps Lifting System Home

[Dan Nichols]

I often hear people say, I wish I knew my purpose. This topic brings it to mind. I believe finding one's purpose is often derailed because of semantics. For me personally I believe; purpose is the justification we use to explain a passion we can't. We screw ourselves up when we live the lives defined by the media, or we’re living the lives defined by someone else’s passion – not ours. Probably the biggest mistake young entrepreneurs make is chasing after mtv's version of success and not their own. Certainly the biggest challenge I wrestled for a couple decades was defining success for myself.

Often, passion can't be explained. So is it a passion you think you're born with or the entrepreneur gene? What came first, the chicken or the egg?

[pacificfame]

I would say "most people" are conditioned by the media. What you should wear, drive, eat, talk, look, etc...

"Most people" don't truly know who they are or what they want in life. That is why entrepreneur are some the greatest people in the world.

We are different. We take a different path from the masses. We create the new, better the old, solve problems, create solutions etc.. What motivated you into becoming an entrepreneur is unique to you. I fell in love with anything related to business. If the bottom line of the subject relates to business, you have my interest. With my love for business I knew I wanted to go into business. However, I also knew my ultimate goal is acquiring financial freedom. This lead me to where I am today and what business I am involved in.

Your purpose is pursuing your highest values. No two people have the same values. We all have our own unique value system. Live your life according to what is highest on your value system. Your values are created throughout your life during experiences. When you live according to your personal value system, you are living your own unique life and will be in harmony with who you truly are.

[Alexishost]

hello,

there are
3 type of people who strat entrepreneurship
1. initiative
2. adapt
3. copy business model.

the most common is no 2.

[james.adodis]

When I was twelve my friend introduced me to selling candy at my school. He would drop off some boxes of candy I would sell them and then pay him his share. I saved enough money up to go out and buy my own bulk candy and started selling on my own.

A few years later I started getting interested into web design. Now, I never became great at designing websites but I started networking in the industry with amateur web designers and I started helping them find clients. That is when I realized I loved the business side of web design and that is all I wanted to focus my efforts on.

A year later I connected with a professional web development company and started bringing them new clients from my efforts at a 25% commission. I was about fifteen at this time.

I tried getting into some other ventures and never really had much luck with anything else. Fast forward to today and without those previous experiences, I do not believe I would be where I am in business today.

Good and inspiring. Ok...
my answer is...
Both. Mostly made. Made in sense that, they way he was brought up and the circumstances around him.
The events he has faced when he was grown. In this example, his friend helped him to "Trigger" the passion for doing own business by giving some candy.

[leberyo]

Also gotta say both. Some people have the desire to be entrepreneurs and be wealthy. Parenting would also play a huge part in personal development. If you can teach your kids to not take things for granted and teach them in a responsible way the importance of financial well being, I think he'll have a much better shot of being successful.

[Dan Nichols]

I have found as or more often people become entrepreneurs because it allows them to express that creative side of themselves. My wife for example spent years selling her jewelry at craft shows and online. For me I actually find I get in quite a funk if my creativity isn't expressed as entrepreneurship. It's how I create and share with the world a piece of me. It's also why i have a few businesses. Doing just one shares a small part of me. If it were just about the money, I'd stay in one, maybe 2 of the businesses and focus even harder.

Make no bones about it, my earliest enterprises felt like they were just about the money. In hindsight they were about me wanting to share ME with the world. I've been in businesses that were just for the money and i lost interest pretty quickly. Admittedly, this interest in following my passions (not just the money) has been my biggest strength and financially at times my Achilles heel.

[Gaulkin]

I made a dollar and then wanted two.

[bestill]

It's a nice mix breed of Born and Made.

[SCJeff]

I've seen some posts discussing this and here is my spin on it.

Entrepreneurs are born out of a set of circumstances that help them to realize their own possibility. That is, the possibility that they too can become an entrepreneur.

You may think it was truly in your DNA but I'd argue (academically/philosophically argue) it was some set of circumstances you were exposed to that had you see the possibility.

For me it was my dad had a small side business laying carpet, my uncle had a printing business that I often worked in and then finally I worked for a guy for 6 months out of high school cutting lawns. He was a raging alcoholic and the light bulb went off for me that... man, if he could do it so could I.

There were a number of other pieces along the way but those were the big 3. What were your circumstances?

Its more desire than anything. No matter where your born, who your parents are, or what your education is like. It all comes down to the desire of the individual.

I honestly couldn't tell you why I want to be an entrepreneur. I'm only 19, going to a community college. I've been mowing lawns and doing yard work since I was 15, and most recently started doing electrical and automotive work on the side. I guess its that I see all my friends, slaving away in resturaunts as waiters or buss boys, working in grocery stores, or some other low paying job. I said to myself, "Screw that, I'm not working that hard for no gain, except a couple of extra bucks in my pocket."

I make double the money that many of my friends make in a whole year, in just a couple months, and is more than enough to live off of. Maybe its the "do it yourself" attitude.

And the idea of being financially free is another factor in wanting to become a entrepreneur. I guess that is the over all goal for many.

[JRRoss]

Its more desire than anything. No matter where your born, who your parents are, or what your education is like. It all comes down to the desire of the individual.

I honestly couldn't tell you why I want to be an entrepreneur. I'm only 19, going to a community college. I've been mowing lawns and doing yard work since I was 15, and most recently started doing electrical and automotive work on the side. I guess its that I see all my friends, slaving away in resturaunts as waiters or buss boys, working in grocery stores, or some other low paying job. I said to myself, "Screw that, I'm not working that hard for no gain, except a couple of extra bucks in my pocket."

I make double the money that many of my friends make in a whole year, in just a couple months, and is more than enough to live off of. Maybe its the "do it yourself" attitude.

And the idea of being financially free is another factor in wanting to become a entrepreneur. I guess that is the over all goal for many.

Man I know what you mean. I know what I want to do entrepreneurial wise, but just like you I'd rather be in control of everything and do it myself. I'm more satisfied doing things that way and they almost always pay off for me in the end

[Dan Nichols]

I love that - "I made a dollar then wanted two..." Gave me a nice laugh too!

[kameron]

Made... just like leaders are made not born. Everything is a choice. No one was born with knowledge we were however born with the ability to learn and make decisions