How to be a successful entrpreneur?

[rebemor]

To have a business is not just luck, is intelligence to maintain it updated and to make others grow and get advantages from my business not just me. But that requires time and dedication.

[Ahern & Brucker]

[QUOTE=Brian Linton;230144]Hi all,

I wanted to start a thread here to find out what you guys think it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

I write regualarly on my website (www.brianlinton.com) about my life as a full time, young entrepreneur, and I have just recently decided to launch a how to guide on 'How to be a Successful Entrepreneur'.

I have a great list of the topics I will cover here, but I would love to get input from the YE community about what they think.

Any recommendations of topics to cover?

Cheers,
Brian


The discussion about what and who an entreprenuer does, is, has, accomplishes can be debated forever... their are probably a hundred or more posts on this board pertaining to it.

I've given up on discussing it simply because it seems people just call themselves or identify themselfs as anything they want. I don't know how many posts that start out "i am 14 yo and have a long history os being a successful entreprenuer." Well?/ why not? this generation get's a trophy and pizza for just showing up to the game.

My point in posting is mainly your one liner that always kills me and i've heard it alot.

"and I have just recently decided to launch a how to guide on 'How to be a Successful Entrepreneur'."

are you actually a successful entreprenuer? How do you define "success"? at what point did you decide... now, i'm successful and i'll expound my knowledge on the world through my handy dandy guide?

now this might be some old school thinking but before you decide to write a book on how to be successful, one should actually "have" done something successful. right?

What were or are you successful at?

How can you expect people to follow and benefit from your guidance if you offer no credibility or experience in your subject?

I'll bet if you did a google search, you could easily find 100 or more "guides" on how to be successful and 99 of them would be written by people with marginal experience and success.

also, What exactly is your motivation in writing this guide for other people to follow? something you want to sell or some philanthropic bucket list to check off before you turn 20?

I like your web site by the way and your enthusiasm and even your confidance. Let me know if your interested in a worthy project.

[mthomas]

1. a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.

Although it may be the dictionary definition of the term, I can't say I agree with the definition 100%. One can be an entrepreneur and NOT manage their company. In fact, probably the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones that no longer need to manage their company. Take Bill Gates as a prime example. Is he not an entrepreneur since he no longer manages Microsoft?

I agree with TheBig Idea in that you need to have the "bug". Just something about you that attracts you to entrepreneurship and business and having this special motivation and desire to succeed.

If you truly have the bug...its something that you instinctively feel and you know that you are meant to do something special with your entrepreneurial passion.

[Peter.j.bea]

I am slowly losing the point of discussion to be based on success or entrepreneurship. Personally, my success has ALWAYS been based on my professional network. I would have been able to accomplish nothing without it. They were always my clients, my employees, employers, investors and mentors. having my network of professionals helped me cover the basis of all I needed. Of course developing that network required work in itself, but with it you acquire everyone they are networked with as well.

My first business I started as a development consultant with a network I developed under my professor doing "extra credit" in helping some of his old school mates with simple business plan writing, they offered me money and I told them that simply having them as a network is worth a million bucks to me.

I soon after was awarded funding from one of those mens brother in laws who happened to be a lead in a small angel group where I was awarded 50k. After that I built the business, kept in CLOSE contact with all my B2B clients, did as many favors as I could and stayed involved in the city and made contacts through the chamber of commerce.

Sure, networking on the internet is fun, and its great writing on bathroom stalls as well, nothing beats a drink after a long days work with a person you want to pick at for their brain.

At this point in our careers (college, grad) it should ALWAYS be about building that professional network, with it, there is NOTHING you cant accomplish. Its not to do with luck, its simply to do with who you know.

[Peter.j.bea]

and in regards to the definition. Please keep in mind the publics amazing way of taking words and misconstruing true definition. People improperly use words on a regular basis, but if the masses agree with its use, then it simply is what it is until Webster decides to put that in the book with the other definition.

*high five* for the power of the masses.

[SOCMiles]

Work twice as much on yourself as you do on your business.

[DavidSitemanGarland]

Here is a simple concept overlooked, "Know who to listen to!"

While ultimately, we are all thick-headed and go with what we think is right (which is awesome), knowing who to go to for advice is key in being a successful entrepreneur.

Learning from those who have big successes and failures will at least keep you out of some of the basic pitfalls.

And remember, your parents (unless they are uber-successful entrepreneurs) may be great for support but not necessarily biz advice.

-David

[meckck]

Thanks for open up such a thread...I learn something today...

[Moneymaka]

Almost nobody mentioned MOTIVATION !?

For me, this is the most important.
For example, my motivation to start a business has gotten weaker, and because of that i haven't done anything today.

Well, maybe it's because i'm just getting started...

[atkinsbiz]

I agree with you completely.

I don't call myself an entrepreneur even though i run a company and i happen to be young. However... i certainly plan to be one which is half the reason i am here, although theoretically, do you think the 'real' entrepreneurs would use a site like this?

I'm not poking fun, that's a genuine question.

Indeed haha ....

Don't ever listen to the cynics, they will only get you down and there is always someone to dismiss an idea- remember they either don't understand the concept, can't see the potential...or usually...are jealous!

[signboards]

Like everything BUY LOW SELL HIGH

[Jenie0109]

Get it right and you prosper. Get it wrong and you go the way of many others who have failed before you.

[rickymat]

Hi all,

I wanted to start a thread here to find out what you guys think it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

I write regualarly on my website about my life as a full time, young entrepreneur, and I have just recently decided to launch a how to guide on 'How to be a Successful Entrepreneur'.

I have a great list of the topics , but I would love to get input from the YE community about what they think.

Any recommendations of topics to cover?

hi,

I believe that entrepreneur should have following qualities:
1. Think success
2. Be passionate with what he does
3. Focus on his strengths.
4. Never consider the possibility of failure
5. Plan accordingly
6. Work hard!
7. Constantly Look for Ways to Network
8. Willingness to Learn
9. Persevere and have faith
10. Discipline himself.

Thanks

[hotwebideas]

I think if you want it bad enough in your lifetime (and sooner than later) than you will get it. You will do what needs to be done, find what works and learn from what doesn't. If someone gives up they will never know what kind of success they could have had.

I agree with this. Entrepreneurs never give up!

[DetangledMedia]

Be persistent. Never give up. Have a passion for what your doing. Strive to be the best in your field, a.k.a be competitive. Work as hard as you humanly can. Always be promoting your offering. Have a bias towards action and build an awesome reputation!