Chapter 1. Do You Have What It Takes to be an Entrepreneur?

We already know that you are a technical superstar, with a passion for creating an innovative product that will be a paradigm shift in the technology you love. This is a necessary capability, but not a sufficient one, to be an entrepreneur. According to Wikipedia, entrepreneurs are people who create new and innovative businesses. Innovative products do not necessarily lead to innovative businesses. However, obviously, people who can do both are the most likely to be successful and happy.

Most experts agree that creating an innovative business is at least equal in difficulty to creating an innovative product or service. It requires a unique set of skills, personal attributes, and a mindset that many people don't have or don't choose to learn. In fact, just like many don't choose to build and nurture their technical skills, you might not want to develop the business and personal attributes associated with entrepreneurs.

Technical entrepreneurs often believe that great products will ultimately lead to a successful company, and good business skills only accelerate this process. In fact, there are tradeoffs involved between a focus on the technical aspects and a focus on the business aspects. The best entrepreneurs are able to find the right balance—technical perfectionism will kill you, just like minimal focus on building the business will kill you, even with a strong product.

Let's take a look at the personal attributes that differentiate non-entrepreneurs from the great ones, and help you achieve that balance!