The Entrepreneur’s Checklist

Do you have what it takes to succeed?

If you’re like most people, the idea of working for yourself has crossed your mind. At least once. While talent and a great idea will help you get started, having an Entrepreneurial personality may help you make it the long run.

What is an Entrepreneurial personality? Most successful Entrepreneurs are enterprising, resourceful and energetic. They enjoy creative problem solving and looking at possibilities. The have the ability to make decisions. Often they are born leaders with the ability to inspire, persuade and motivate others.

If this description doesn’t fit like your favorite pair of blue jeans, don’t despair. Yes, these characteristics are important. But, many are skills, which can be developed. And you can always hire contractors and/or employees to fill in your gaps.

While there is no secret to success, as a small business owner you need to wear many hats. Use our Entrepreneur’s Quiz* like an entrepreneur’s checklist to see how you stack up.

1. When it comes to developing relationships with new people:
   1. I enjoy it, meeting new people energizes me
   2. I do when I have to, but I find meeting new people intimidating
2. When I make decisions:
   1. I always consider how my decisions will affect the bottom line
   2. I think more about how my decision will affect those involved
3. My talent lies in:
   1. Analyzing the current situation
   2. Looking at the possibilities
4. When it comes to selling my products, my ideas and myself:
   1. I enjoy the challenge
   2. I feel uncomfortable with the whole process
5. What really gets my juices going is:
   1. Planning and completing a project
   2. Conceiving the idea for a project
6. When it comes to day-to-day administrative duties:
   1. I am detail-oriented and organized
   2. I have trouble staying focused
7. I feel most comfortable:
   1. After I make a decision, I like to know that things are settled
   2. Before I make a decision, I prefer to stay open to possibilities
8. When things don’t go as planned:
   1. I get thrown off-balance
   2. I go with the flow
9. I prefer a work environment that is:
   1. Lively, where I am able to interact with others throughout the day
   2. Quiet, where I am able to focus on my work
10. When I think about writing a business plan:
    1. I start planning how and where to begin
    2. I shudder

Your Results

The good news is that there are no right or wrong answers. There is no secret formula for success. To be successful, you need to be able to make decisions and be able to look at possibilities. You need to consider the bottom line and the feelings of others when making choices. Read through the following sections to see which hats you already feel comfortable wearing and which you will need to grow into.

Mostly a: Your natural talent for developing relationships will make it easier to build a customer/client base. Your ability to be detail-oriented and organized will help you stay focused on the task-at-hand. And, an objective decision-making style often helps when it’s time to make those tough decisions that affect the bottom line.

Things to think about: Most small business owners start out working alone. Be sure to maintain contact with other colleagues, so you don’t get lonely. Your ability to make decisions is important, but try not to let it keep you from looking at all your options. Also, don’t forget to take the needs and values of others into consideration when working with clients and employees.

Mostly b: Your natural creative talent will help you keep your company from becoming stagnant. Your ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned can be an invaluable asset. And, because you prefer to work independently, you will probably feel less isolated than those who need constant people contact.

Things to think about: Because you’re not as comfortable connecting with others, it may take more effort to develop business relationships. While values and feelings are important, don’t forget to consider what’s best for the bottom line. Also, you will need to develop some organizational skills until you are able to hire staff.

In the end, whether to start your own business or not, should be your decision. A decision based on your goals, your abilities, your financial situation and many other factors. Our Entrepreneur Quiz is meant to be a starting point: An entertaining way to get you thinking about yourself. One of the keys to being successful is to recognize your strengths and your weaknesses. It’s easer to move forward, when you know where you already are.

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