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Contributing Authors

	Steven D. Strauss Author of The Small Business Bible
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	Tom Severance Author of Business Start-Up Guide
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	Stephanie Chandler Author of The Business Startup Checklist & Planning Guide
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	Joe Kennedy Author of The Small Business Owner's Manual
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Entrepreneur Traits

There are a variety of tests that help assess your potential entrepreneurial success. Most calculate a numerical score that you can then compare with what “typical” or “successful” entrepreneurs score. These are fun and entertaining, especially if you score well. The answers that tend to indicate entrepreneurial ability are usually quite obvious so it is important to answer the questions without trying to guess the preferred response. Of course, the test merely compares your results with what the author believes are the best entrepreneurial responses. It is not scientific, and there are certainly many exceptions to the standard. Take the tests. They’re interesting and you may learn something. However, don’t take the results too seriously.

Common sense and experience should persuade you that successful entrepreneurs have certain traits. You would likely describe the prototype, “perfect” entrepreneur as follows:

A goal setter who writes down clear, realistic, challenging, attainable objectives
Tenacious, determined, and patient enough to complete the job
Honest, fair, optimistic, cooperative, and tactful
A straightforward and effective verbal and written communicator
Self-confident and self-directed
Driven to compete and succeed against self-imposed standards
Not afraid of failure; able to deal with and learn from it
A moderate risk-taker who takes carefully calculated risks with a strong chance for success
A decision-maker who takes the initiative
A hands-on learner
Has a strong drive and energy level maintained through good diet and exercise habits
A smart worker as well as a hard worker
Open-minded with a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty
Exercises practical judgment with good critical thinking skills, problem-solving ability, and creativity
Aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and the appropriate use of outside resource people
Has specialized technical knowledge within the business
Has good numbers sense and strong analytical ability
Has a healthy respect for money and the ability to use it effectively and appropriately