Ten questions about entrepreneurs

ashu · on April 15, 2008

I actually disagree with a couple points there.

I think it's not true that entrepreneurs are "born". I come from a culture (middle-class India) where entrepreneurship is so unthinkable, it's almost a taboo. And yet, I think I am very much passionate about being a startup founder now. Paul's essays have been a big help in making me re-think quite a few things about life. So, I'd say that people can learn to be entrepreneurs as well.

Magnet for money, attention: I don't think these are the primary qualities to focus on. They are usually a by-product of intense passion for the product and good taste / judgement.

volida · on April 15, 2008

I think it's not true that entrepreneurs are "born".

you go that one a bit wrong

volida · on April 16, 2008

Not everyone when exposed to entrepreurship feels the urge to embrace it and most of all pursue it no matter cost, no matter where they live.

Therefore, it's obvious that those who do, have a different drive.

That's what I meant and some folks here were unwilling to understand with the short phrase in my previous comment.

thenotself · on April 15, 2008

This is a good set of questions and answers. I think that the often-made comparison between entrepreneurship and ADD is funny. There are also too many people with ADD who think they are entrepreneurs.. heh.

Remember, that a magnetic personality is really key - if you're passionate about your ideas, it's also important that you can recruit others to share your passion.

lowfat · on April 15, 2008

Natural traits like being a magnet for money, talent and attention certainly makes one more likely to succeed as an entrepreneur. I don't have such traits. But desire, work ethic and discipline can be great substitutes - and these are traits that certainly can be learned. It just ends up taking a little longer.

wumi · on April 15, 2008

"What do you look for in entrepreneurs? First and foremost, they need to be magnets. For talent. For money. For attention. And for much more."

Would be interesting to see how YC founders compare to that standard.

Although maybe YC/PG is so much of a magnet a would-be entrepreneur wouldn't need to be once gone through YC.

mishmax · on April 15, 2008

"What do you look for in entrepreneurs? First and foremost, they need to be magnets. For talent. For money. For attention. And for much more."

Do you guys think that hackers actually have this "magnet" quality?

redorb · on April 15, 2008

(i can hear the box) being built for entrepreneurs to be put in..

pxlpshr · on April 16, 2008

I was going to say the same thing... and not to sound bitter that entrepreneurial interest has increased significantly the past few years, but it's reaching the point of being "fashionable" amongst educated youth and blogsphere.

The interest is a good thing because it facilitates progression and capital flow but I think there is a key element missing from the youth-explosion, similar to that of a Blackberry user: Lots of typing/philosophizing, no pudding...

dcurtis · on April 15, 2008

"Can entrepreneurship be taught/learned? I don't think so. It's like a personality disorder. You are born with it."

What an awesome way to put it.