Four Marks of Entrepreneurs

In my work, I get the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs, both in the US and around the world. I admire them. I respect what they’ve accomplished.

Not just building products, they are serving their communities and addressing the world’s greatest needs. In the fight against poverty and in economic development, they are the world’s unsung heroes.

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Here are just five traits I’ve observed from a few of my favorite entrepreneurs:

1. Ability to take risks. Ideas are a dime a dozen – I have a dream of starting several businesses. But the difference with entrepreneurs is they are willing to do their homework and actually launch their ideas. Entrepreneurs understand not all concepts succeed–but they take the risk. Pushing their chips to the center of the table, they declare, “I’m in.” Ron Thompson was successful when late in his career, he decided to buy a property in Lexington, Massachusetts, and start a car wash. He knew he would wrestle with zoning. He knew it wouldn’t be easy. But Ron did what entrepreneurs do – he jumped.

2. Humble enough to start small. Entrepreneurs know they have to plant small seeds. And sometimes these seeds grow into something bigger than they could have ever imagined. I played soccer with Jason Webb at Messiah College (before they began dominating Div III soccer). During summer break, he began Soccer Shots, which provides soccer skills and character training for children. Recognizing a niche market—and a way to encourage personal growth for little tikes—Jason now has a franchise that Entrepreneur magazine ranked as the top Children’s Fitness Franchise in 2012. See www.soccershots.org.

3. Demonstrate tenacity- Mama Flores owns a salon in the war-ravaged country of the Democratic Republic of Congo. With an extraordinary work ethic in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, she took a small loan to sell rice and beans. Little by little, she kept growing her business until she eventually saved enough money to purchase a salon. Today, through her salon, she employs 15 single mothers and orphans—keeping them off the streets. See more of her story through video and article.

4. Purpose bigger than themselves– Defying traditional suburban planning, Perry Bigelow, founder of Bigelow Homes, is not concerned with building the biggest homes. Building energy efficient houses of all sizes and prices within the same neighborhood, he’s promoting diversity, community, and lower taxes. He’s not just a home builder; he’s a community developer and creator of social capital. See www.bigelowhomes.com.

I celebrate local and global entrepreneurs. They are job creators. And these four entrepreneurs are living out their faith in Christ in a beautiful way as they grow their businesses. Crazy enough to challenge the status quo, they launch ideas that can change the world.  They are my heroes.

How about you? Which entrepreneurs most inspire you?

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