Going Out On Your Own

Have you got what it takes to be your own boss?  

Do you have a product you'd like to sell?  Do you have an idea that you think could make a lot of money?  Are you interested in running your own business?  Are you the entrepreneurial type?   The quiz below should give you some help in deciding if you have the kind of background, personality and habits suitable for running your own business.  Read the statements and put a check in the box marked YES if the statement describes you.  If it does not, put a check in the box marked NO.  There are no right or wrong answers.  The important thing is to be honest and as accurate as possible.

What kind of entrepreneurial experiences do I have?  

1. I have a close relative who is, or was, in business for himself/herself.  yes no
2. I've been involved in a previous venture. yes no
3. As a child, I sold lemonade, took up a paper route, or figured out money making projects. yes no
4. I've been involved in starting things such as service clubs, community organizations, fund-raising projects.  yes no
5. When I think of the future, I see myself running my own business. yes no

Many entrepreneurs grow up in families in which one or both parents were entrepreneurs and have been exposed to the ups and downs of running a small business.  

Am I a self-starter?  

1. I'm a doer more than a planner.  I've got a lot of energy and drive.  yes no
2. I enjoy solving challenging problems.  yes no
3. I can count on myself to get things done.   yes no
4. Even if people tell me "It can't be done," I still have to find out for myself.  yes no
5. Even if I've had a setback, I still pick up the pieces and start over again. yes no

Studies of successful entrepreneurs show that they believe that they control their own destiny and refuse to be at the mercy of others or events.   

Am I a risk-taker?   

1. I am willing to invest and possibly lose my life savings in my venture.  yes no
2. I don't panic easily.  I'm calm in crisis and uncertainty.    yes no
3. The future is exciting to me.  I'm not afraid of it.  yes no
4. I don't worry very much about what other people think of me yes no
5. I see myself as strong and in control. yes no

Entrepreneurs have a high level of self-confidence.  They're not afraid to put themselves in situations where they are personally responsible for success or failure.  

Do I have managerial skills?  

1. I communicate well.  People understand me. yes no
2. I find it easy to get other people to do things for me. yes no
3. I manage my time well and organize my tasks before getting started.  yes no
4. I'm versatile and capable of dealing well with many different jobs at once.  yes no

Successful entrepreneurs usually have good managerial skills.  They're people-oriented as well as ideas-oriented.   

Well?  How did you score?  If you answered yes to a majority of the questions, you may have the experience and type of personality that would make you a successful entrepreneur. 

Your traits include a streak of independence and self-reliance. 

You tend to believe strongly in yourself and your abilities.  And you're convinced that you can achieve the goals you set for yourself.   

But there's more to becoming an entrepreneur than just having the right temperament and experience.  You need to have a product or service to sell and a market that needs what you have to offer.  You have to be willing to make the commitment of time and money that your new business may require.

This quiz is only the first step toward your decision to go out on your own.  There are many other steps and choices to make if you want to become an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurial Personality Skills

Risk-taker   Diplomatic
Self-disciplined   Creative
Courageous   Energetic
Persistent   Good listener
Resourceful   Business Oriented
Motivated   Good health

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