31
Critical
Thinking
Key
Terms Objectives
Web
Connect
After completing this section, you will be
able to:
Explain what an entrepreneur does.
Describe the person who can be an
entrepreneur.
SECTION 1.2
Becoming an Entrepreneur
entrepreneur
entrepreneurship
start-up companies
leader
traits
self-assessment
Plan to become familiar with business
resources available for entrepreneurs on
the Internet. A good source of information
is the Small Business Administration (SBA)
website, a government resource to help
small businesses succeed. Visit
www.sba.gov and make a list of the
information that could help you establish a
business.
Think about businesses in your
community. Identify four that were started
by entrepreneurs. List the attitudes and
aptitudes these entrepreneurs probably
possess. Now make a list of the attitudes
and aptitudes that you possess. Circle the
ones that you think would be critical to your
success as an entrepreneur.
What Is an Entrepreneur?
You may have been talking all of your life about what you want
to be when you grow up. Now the time is here, and you are creating
career plans. It is an exciting time in your life. There are many
traditional careers you could pursue. Are you a person who likes to
take a chance? Do you prefer independence to working for someone
else? Are you always coming up with ideas for new products or
services? Then being an entrepreneur may be a career choice for you.
An entrepreneur is a person who starts a new business. The
word entrepreneur comes from the French word entreprendre, or to
undertake. These individuals were willing to take risks by literally
undertaking new ventures. If you have ever mowed lawns, started
a babysitting service, or sold lemonade on hot days, then you are an
entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurship is taking on both the risks and responsibilities
of starting a new business. It also includes learning about how to
run a business and manage other people. Activities involved in
entrepreneurship include deciding the type of business to open,