17 Section 1.2 Becoming an Entrepreneur Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Entrepreneurs are creative people who have an idea to start a business. However, starting a business and keeping the business going are two different things. A leader is someone who influences others in r a positive way and makes things different or makes things better. Most entrepreneurs are natural leaders that is, they motivate and inspire others to do great things. Think about the entrepreneurs you know or have read about. Do they ever give up? Are they excited about what they do? Is the next challenge for them just around the corner? To be a successful entrepreneur, you must lead your employees, vendors, and customers. Good leaders make others believe in what they are doing by selling their ideas and sharing their visions. Effective entrepreneurs • establish and manage relationships by spending time and energy with peers, suppliers, and customers • empower others to act and allow capable people to make appropriate decisions Source: Kauffman Foundation Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 1-5. Anyone can become an entrepreneur. 25% ages 20–34 Entrepreneur Statistics 23% ages 35–44 26% ages 45–54 26% ages 55–64 Age A 37% female 63% male Gender G d Education Industry Educatio n 15% less than high school 29% high school graduates 22% some college 33% college graduates 56% in services 20% in construction 11% in trades 9% uncategorized 3% in manufacturing