With the 4th of July, the birth date of our great country upon us, I think it is a good time to reflect on what our great country is built on- I allege that one integral attribute of our country is the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The fastest growing area of the economy is generated from entrepreneurs, risk takers and wealth generators. These entrepreneurs are unique people. What makes them tick?

  Why do entrepreneurs take risks, endure pain, fatigue, and embarrassment? What makes them run? Is it money, fame, or power?
Entrepreneurs might want and enjoy those things but what drives them and what distinguishes them from over achieving employees is the desire to create. That’s it. Do you pass the test? Many over achievers are not entrepreneurs.
Leonardo Da Vinci, Edison, Jobs, Gates and the Wright Brothers were entrepreneurs. They had dreams to create new horizons for humanity. A vision, inspiration and most importantly the belief that, “I can do that”, is the defining image of an entrepreneur.
Many of the machine shops featured in the Buyers Guide of the A2Z Metalworker are entrepreneurs. In many cases, they don’t just build parts based upon specifications that come from engineers in large Fortune 100 companies. Often, they are involved in the design process, they find ways to make the parts better, more designed for manufacturing, or just make them more rugged. Indeed, this magazine is full of entrepreneurs!
How do you motivate an entrepreneur? Tell them, “It can’t be done”. Entrepreneurs love an impossible challenge. They will prove you wrong. It took Edison 10,000 attempts to create a light bulb that burned for several seconds.
Not everyone who starts a business is an entrepreneur. Some do it out of desperation, or until they get a real job. They might become entrepreneurs one day, but they must move their mind set from ‘1 can’t do that’ to one of ‘can do’.
What does it take to succeed as an entrepreneur?
The ability to learn what is needed to make your dream come true--and to acquire and apply those lessons and skills. Successful entrepreneurs go past the dream stage. Many have the potential to be successful. They have dreams, great ideas and they may even be right. But imagine if Edison quit after 1,000 attempts. He could rightly rationalize that it couldn’t be done. After all who would expect him to try 1,000, 2,000 or even 5,000 times. It took 10,000. Nobody cares about the failures. The results count.
I suspect that Bill Gates is not motivated by money. The power of effecting change and growth is more intoxicating. Money is only a wonderful by-product. That is what sets entrepreneurs apart.
Entrepreneurs are dreamers. They see things that others can not. They want to create change and growth. They believe in themselves. They want to control their destiny. Successful entrepreneurs seek out, acquire and practise the skills they need to succeed. Successful entrepreneurs do what they have to,  to get to where they want to be.
In closing, I wish you the best in business and in life. God Bless our Troops!