Comments on: Do you have that entrepreneurial DNA?

By: Rene Fritz

Rene Fritz — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 14:16:44 +0000

Dave, After founding, or co-founding and funding over 20 firms and raising over $24 million in angel funds for some of them I understand what an entrepreneur is all about. A few great Successes and way to many failures.. My 13 years in YPO early on and then starting my own Chief Executive Forum over 20 years ago coaching other entrepreneurs I have a much better understanding of myself and others with the DNA, vs second generation just handed the title as CEO.

I now feel that a majority of Entrepreneurs have a mild case of ADD — where they had a hard time in class keeping focused on the teacher and getting good grades as I did. Then used that lack of focus or wondering thinking to help them build and grow firms. Always thinking outside the box.

As you commented, my dad and relatives as far back as I can see all started firms or traveled across the ocean to start a new life here in the USA.

Working with the MBA students at Univ of AZ Entrepreneur program and in the past other Universities I see they try to teach Entrepreneurship and do take the edge off for a true entrepreneur (however, most do not get to MBA status – due to ADD). I observed that if not in the DNA they just do not seem to want to take the risk on their own – but just use other peoples money – not quite the same thing and are not true risk takers.

You do a great job with your emails and simple to the point comments – keep it up. We have not spoken since we ACA in San Diego, Hope to see you again soon. God Bless and thanks for your publishing — Rene

By: Michael O'Daniel

Michael O'Daniel — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 21:18:48 +0000

A life lesson from the entreprenurial trenches. In the late 60s I had a concept for an artist management and production company that no one else was doing at the time — in fact, the prevailing wisdom was that it couldn’t or shouldn’t be done. I did it and within a year or two everyone else in the business was following the same path (in many cases none too well, but they were bigger and more solid financially). While I may have had a great concept, I knew nothing about how to run a business. So I had an “artistic” success, but could not keep the company afloat . I’m sure many others who have launched companies have similar stories.

By: Diane Ratican

Diane Ratican — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 19:15:12 +0000

You are soooo right Dave.
Entrepeneurs always see things others do not and take the risks necessary to make their ideas a reality.
Here I sit in Paris yet again rewritng the narrative for the book “Why L.A. Pourqui Paris?, a book you have helped me with from the get-go that I need to complete by year end so it will be released in 2014.
When deciding whether or not to totally create something new one only has to ask themselves the question, How will you feel if you do not take the risk to pursue the idea and turn it into a reality?
Being an entrepreneur is all in how one answers that question!