Look up for inspiration

What makes a successful entrepreneur?

Toss the question online and your head will spin at the number of responses. Some address the business end of entrepreneurship; others, the motivation behind your leap into running your own business. But some of the most honest answers come in doing a little people-watching, picking up on the traits common to those in the upper echelon.

And, not so surprisingly, many are like the soft skills you look for in a top-performing employee. Generosity is a case in point, something you might think of as being counter-productive to building a fortune but priceless in building a relationship with the community. Being involved at all levels, or at least familiar with what is going on, is another, as proven on TV’s “Undercover Boss.”

Here are a few others to consider:

Vision

America’s top entrepreneurs have a clear sense of what they want to accomplish, though not necessarily the same thing, and how to do it. They act with purpose, whether it is boosting sales, changing something for the better or promoting a product they truly believe in. While their path to success is subject to change – they are also known for keeping an open mind – their passion for what they’re doing is rock-solid.

Confidence

They believe in themselves. They challenge themselves without fear of failure, learning from what doesn’t work and knowing that it is a stepping stone to what they will do next. And just as we are looking toward them for inspiration, they surround themselves with good people who share their passion. But the bottom line is sticking with the one they trust most, themselves.

Recognizing what’s important

There is no getting around it; to be successful, you need to take care of business. But they know to focus on what is important and resist getting sidetracked by time-consuming efforts that could be easily delegated to a strong workforce. Again, this goes back to keeping an open mind, showing generosity and, if needed, making some tough decisions along the way.

No one said entrepreneurship is easy. But if you have a clear idea of where you’re going and you believe you are the one to make it happen, you are headed down the path of the winners!