An Entrepreneur: Born or Made?

The Case for Entrepreneurs Being Born

Some people seem to have natural traits that align with entrepreneurship. From a young age, they might display qualities like curiosity, independence, and resilience—traits that can help them thrive in business. These individuals might have an innate ability to:

• Spot opportunities where others see obstacles.

• Think creatively to solve problems.

• Take calculated risks without fear of failure.

Examples of “Born” Traits:

• Drive and Determination: Some people are naturally self-motivated and goal-oriented.

• Charisma and Leadership: The ability to inspire and rally others comes more easily to some.

• Tolerance for Risk: Entrepreneurs often need to embrace uncertainty and adapt to failure.

The Case for Entrepreneurs Being Made

While some traits might come naturally, the skills required to build and run a business can absolutely be learned. No one is born knowing how to write a business plan, manage finances, or run a marketing campaign. These are skills that anyone can develop through education, practice, and experience.

Learnable Skills for Entrepreneurs:

1. Financial Literacy: Understanding budgets, cash flow, and investments.

2. Marketing and Sales: Knowing how to attract and retain customers.

3. Networking: Building connections and relationships in your industry.

4. Problem-Solving: Learning frameworks to approach challenges effectively.

My Perspective: When I started my agency, I didn’t have all the skills I needed to succeed. I had to learn SEO, client management, and even podcasting to build my brand. These skills weren’t innate—they were developed through effort and persistence.

How Nature and Nurture Work Together

Entrepreneurship isn’t an either/or scenario—it’s a combination of natural tendencies and learned skills. Someone with natural leadership qualities may still need to learn the technical aspects of running a business. Conversely, someone with no natural inclination toward entrepreneurship can still succeed by mastering the necessary skills and fostering the right mindset.

My Journey: Born or Made?

Looking back, I think I had some natural tendencies that helped me as an entrepreneur. I’ve always been curious and willing to take risks. But building my agency, Pest Control SEO, was definitely a process of being “made.” I didn’t know how to specialize, market myself, or scale my business until I learned through trial and error. Starting my podcast, for example, was a way to build credibility and connect with my niche—a skill I never would have developed without practice.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

1. Leverage Your Strengths: Identify the traits you naturally excel at, whether it’s creativity, communication, or leadership.

2. Develop New Skills: Invest time in learning areas where you feel less confident, like finance or marketing.

3. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Believe that you can improve with effort and persistence.

4. Take Action: Entrepreneurship is about doing, not just planning. Start small and learn as you go.

Final Thoughts

So, are entrepreneurs born or made? The answer is both. While natural traits can give some people a head start, success as an entrepreneur is ultimately about what you do with what you have. Anyone willing to learn, adapt, and take action can achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

The most important thing isn’t where you start—it’s the journey you take to get there. Whether you feel “born” for this or need to be “made,” the path is open to anyone ready to walk it.