The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and seems to be either a growing fad or is perhaps finding a connection with those who have been searching for an outlet for their ideas.

The whole notion of being an entrepreneur is essentially the difference between making a living and living out your dreams. There is risk in all phases of business startup, but it is the notion of risk that separates those who want it all without putting forth the effort to reach their goals, and those who thrive on doing whatever is needed to get the job done.

Entrepreneurs are not only risk takers they do not accept failure easily. They take the initiative to learn what they need to learn to succeed.

?Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of ?crackpot? than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.? - Thomas J. Watson

Entrepreneurs do not always success, but they are also unwilling to give up easily. They are typically self-starters who have a passion for connecting with people. Often it is the product they sell that facilitates connection. It is also why so many entrepreneurs enjoy learning new ways to market their product or service.

?An entrepreneur assumes the risk and is dedicated and committed to the success of whatever he or she undertakes.? - Victor Kiam

There are fewer members of our global population with an entrepreneurial spirit than there are those who are simply consumers. This is good news for the entrepreneur because they need consumers to catch the vision for their product or service.

?There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.? - Sam Walton

An entrepreneur is also one who understands that vision needs to be tempered with a realistic understanding of the needs and desires of the consumer. Without customers the dream dies. This is why the most successful entrepreneurs have a love/hate relationship with research ? they may hate the process of research, but the discovery phase of research allows them to move forward when they see the path clearly.

?Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. Accordingly, a ?genius? is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework.? - Thomas Edison