Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? Are entrepreneurship skills learned, or are they innate? What are the significant traits and differences between a born successful entrepreneur and someone who has trained to become an entrepreneur?
In this article, we take a look at these questions and explore what entrepreneurial characteristics and traits make up a successful “born” entrepreneur.
Ultimately, by understanding the difference between the two types of entrepreneurs, we can look into how they differ in their approaches to starting and sustaining their successful business plans.
One of the most important distinctions to be made is between entrepreneurs who are “born” versus those who have been trained. While no one is genuinely born an entrepreneur, many of the population will find themselves operating in a business direction by accident or coincidence.
The challenge they then face is finding out why they have ended up in that area, what drives them, and what they can do to improve their chances of success either as personality traits or entrepreneurial traits.
Can anyone be an entrepreneur?
It is not uncommon for individuals to set up in business because they find themselves in a position where they believe that they have no other option.
The most common example of these entrepreneurs is someone who suddenly finds themselves unemployed and cannot obtain a suitable alternative position elsewhere.
On the other hand, many talented employees will find themselves working in large businesses that lead them to question their sense of purpose or necessity. It may then prove to be the case that these individuals will establish their businesses as a way of tackling this feeling.
However, it remains essential to consider whether this is genuinely the case for a person will depend on their personality and unique circumstances.
Business owners who are born tend to enter their first business opportunities with a specific set of business skills and skill sets that make them ideal for operating in that area with natural ability.
These may be developed because of family experience or working in similar areas for many years. In many cases, they will have had the opportunity to develop these skills through self-education and experience.
What are the types of entrepreneurs?
Many different types of real entrepreneurs can be found in society, all with their specific motivations, traits, key characteristics, and experiences. In terms of “born” versus trained business owners, different types of entrepreneurs are often associated with the industries in which they are working.
For example, some businesses will value creativity more than qualifications, leading to a higher proportion of born entrepreneurs.
On the other hand, highly regulated industries that require individuals to have specific credentials may see a higher number of trained business owners. This is likely to apply in fields where individuals must hold qualifications, such as medical professionals, lawyers, and accountants.
Above all, the critical difference between born and trained entrepreneurs lies in the awareness of how to succeed in their field. The desire for these entrepreneurs will often be about making a particular contribution rather than being rewarded financially. Although many successful entrepreneurs may have developed their skillsets through self-education or experience, most of them will still be motivated by the desire for personal reward.
Are successful entrepreneurs born or made?
The most significant difference between a born entrepreneur and someone who has been trained in the awareness of how to succeed in their field. They will often be able to give exact reasons for entering a particular business ecosystem, what they can do to improve their sustainability and what drives them to continue. In general, born entrepreneurs know their strengths and capabilities better than those who have been trained and tend to be aware of their weaknesses.
Examples of successful entrepreneurs:
Richard Branson is a type of entrepreneur who would fall into “born.” He is recognized as having become a famous entrepreneur globally through his Virgin brand. However, many people are unaware that many other aspects of his personality type and lifestyle contributed to his entrepreneurial success.
For example, his childhood was particularly unconventional, which led him to develop traits that would help him develop entrepreneurial skills and succeed in business later on. He was born in London and grew up during the 1950s. His father was a pilot who would work on the weekends, which allowed him to spend his days wandering around the city and building up an interest in car racing. He also lived in a house where there was a shed full of bicycles that he could use for free.
However, Branson did not share his father’s ambitions to become a pilot. Instead, he developed a passion for cars and bikes and created fun and games with them. Branson would often organize races with his friends in which he would drive bikes and cars across fields and on open roads. He also had a keen interest in music and created many of his sound mixes on tape.
By the time he finished school Branson had developed an interest in the business ecosystem. He began working with a company that sold records, or “vinyl” as they were known at the time.
Warren Buffett is a prime example of a highly skilled and trained serial entrepreneur. He is well-known for having become one of the world’s richest men by creating Berkshire Hathaway, an investment group that operates in industries such as textiles, insurance, and gas.
However, Buffett was born in America, which gave him access to specific educational opportunities. From a young age, he was encouraged to read books about political history and economics, which would help shape his views on how companies succeed over time and how a successful company should be run. Buffett’s interest in the stock market was only fueled as he read his older brothers’ articles about stocks and shares when he was young.
It was not until after graduating secondary school that Buffett moved to New York City, where he began working with the American Securities Company. He then attended Columbia University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics. He worked at various positions for his university but mainly spent his time trying to understand investment decisions and financial theories.
Tiger Woods is an American professional golfer and a philanthropist who many people have considered one of the best golfers of all time. However, he should be considered an entrepreneur because he started his own golf tour company in 1996 at the age of 22.
In addition, he also has a sizeable charitable foundation that supports athletic facilities and recreational programs for children.
