We are a country of or descended from entrepreneurs. Our fore fathers and mothers were the consummate risk takers.
They came from everywhere, most with nothing but loose change in their pockets, speaking Italian, Yiddish, Gaelic, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Yoruba..... well you get the picture, with the dream of freedom in their hearts. They said to themselves, "I can do that!" And, they did. After all, the streets were paved with gold.
We all know of the great entrepreneurs of history: The Rothschilds, who built a continent-wide communications system so that they could get the news first (and thus capitalize on it.) John D. Rockefeller, who bought candy by the pound, divided it into smaller portions and sold it to his siblings and acquaintances for a profit. Andrew Carnegie, who built steel mills and said, famously, "Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." Henry Ford, who may not have invented the production line, (it was actually Ransom E. Olds), but was able to use it to manufacture cars at an astounding rate and then price them for the masses. Bill Gates, who, once informed that IBM was looking for an operating system for it's new personal computer, went out, found one and adapted it to the IBM hardware. Oprah Winfrey, who was abused as a child but whose indomitable will and inclusive style enabled her to build a billion dollar communications empire. And on and on.
What characterizes all of these people is a combination of luck, timing, ability, drive and the will to win. Different times, different styles, different strengths and different weaknesses, but every one willing to stake it all on one throw of the dice. Some, like Ford and Gates were technicians who figured out a better way. Others, like Rothschild, Rockefeller and Carnegie were pure business men who figured out how to beat (and either buy out or force out) the competition.
Each one had a burning desire to make his or her mark and was lucky enough to be born in a time when their talent, skill and experience enabled them to realize their dreams. Rothschild would not have had the advantage today, but in the 1700s, he was the man. Rockefeller would not have been able to scoop up all of the transportation from the oil fields today, but in the 1800s, he was able to. Carnegie could not have gotten away with shooting striking employees at the Homestake Works today, but he did get away with it in the early 20th century. Luck (timing) always plays a part, but, the common thread, the key to entrepreneur, the one who grabs the brass ring, is that he/she is the one who sees the opportunity and has the nerve to take the risk when that opportunity arises. And, the devil take the hindmost.
Dave Bresler is the president and founder of the popular business networking group NetworkNetwork!, based in New York City
From New York City:
The Entrepreneurial Mind Set
(or Carpe Diem)
By Dave Bresler