ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Do you know the meaning of the word "entrepreneurial?" Are you a risk taker? Did you get good grades in school? Did you know that many successful entrepreneurs did not?

Most entrepreneurs tend to be maverick personalities with risk-taking vision and courage. Many entrepreneurs tend to be just a bit "off-beat" and they sometimes need to be in order to creatively grow a successful business.

The following entrepreneurial test may help you in your personal evaluation process. Remember, it is simply a tool. It is fun to take and fun to interpret, but you should keep it in perspective. You must answer ALL questions for the test to be accurate. It might be easier to print this test and tally your results on paper.

1. I am persistent. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

2. When I'm interested in a project, I need less sleep. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

3. When there's something I want, I keep my goal clearly in mind. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

4. I examine mistakes and I learn from them. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

5. I keep New Year's resolutions. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

6. I have a strong personal need to succeed. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

7. I have new and different ideas. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

8. I am adaptable. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

9. I am curious. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

10. I am intuitive. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

11. If something can't be done, I find a way. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

12. I see problems as challenges. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

13. I take chances. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

14. I'll gamble on a good idea even if it isn't a sure thing. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

15. To learn something new, I explore unfamiliar subjects. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

16. I can recover from emotional setbacks. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

17. I feel sure of myself. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

18. I'm a positive person. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

19. I experiment with new ways to do things. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

20. I'm willing to undergo sacrifices to gain possible long term rewards. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

21. I usually do things my own way. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

22. I tend to rebel against authority. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

23. I often enjoy being alone. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

24. I like to be in control. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

25. I have a reputation for being stubborn. ___ Yes ___ Maybe ___ No

Total all Yes answers ____ Multiply by 3 ____
Total all Maybe answers ____ Multiply by 2 ____
Total all No answers ____ Multiply by 0 ____
Total ____

60-75 you can start that business plan. You have the earmarks of an entrepreneur.
48-59 you have potential but need to push yourself. You may want to improve your skills in your weaker areas. This can be accomplished by either improving yourself in these areas or by hiring someone with these skills
37-47 you may not want to start a business alone. Look for a business partner who can compliment you in the areas where you are weak
below 37 self employment may not be for you. You will probably be happier and more successful working for someone else. Only you can make that decision.

(From American Women's Economic Development Corporation, Stamford, CT, and Women in New Development, Bemidji, MN, 4/97)

For more information on assessing skills, education and experience click here.