(So You) Wanna Be An Entrepreneur

What seems like a lifetime ago, but in reality was only a generation, when Saturday Night Live was in its prime, Eddie Murphy portrayed a character named Velvet Jones. As an entrepreneur, Velvet offered instructional books on several subjects. In an SNL sketch titled the "People's Court," Velvet was forced to defend one of his books against accusations that it did not deliver sufficient instruction to achieve success.

Velvet Jones on the People's Court
(NBC's Saturday Night Live - Season 7, Episode 9 - 23 January 1982)


When I read pitches for co-founders or chat with people who believe they have the idea for the next great startup, the image of Eddie Murphy comes to mind. While I admire their enthusiasm and encourage their pursuit of the dream, I sense these potential entrepreneurs have skipped a few chapters along the way, trying to jump from the premise of having an idea to counting their first million. If only they would take the time to re-read the book, then ponder how the contents might apply to their situation:   The odds of success would increase dramatically.

To that end, I suggest the following as good primers for those who envision themselves as an entrepreneur in search of that next great inspiration.

The Entrepreneur 'Ah Hah' Moment And How To Get It
http://untether.tv/2012/the-entrepreneur-ah-hah-moment-and-how-to-get-it/

Note: Rick Segal, the author, is a good friend who I've known since my young adult sons were toddlers. Rick has done it all, truly walked the walk, and now talks the talk by sharing his experience and insight with others. His adventures began in the military; moved to corporate America; ended up at Microsoft; lead a couple of e-commerce companies; became a venture capitalist; and now serves as co-founder and CEO of a mobile device management software startup. Rick has a Midas touch but it's not a gift. It comes from hard work and a brilliant mind that never sleeps. Ask me to share some stories about Rick's sleep patterns sometime.

And before you think that your "passion" will drive your success, consider the following:

Don't Follow Your Passion, Follow Your Effort
http://blogmaverick.com/2012/03/18/dont-follow-your-passion-follow-your-effort/

Speaking of hard work and sleep deprivation, you also need to honestly evaluate your commitment.

Meet the tireless entrepreneur who squatted at AOL
http://news.cnet.com/8301-32973_3-57440513-296/meet-the-tireless-entrepreneur-who-squatted-at-aol/

And finally, once you think you have it all figured out, read:

Why You Won't Be Successful.
http://danwaldschmidt.com/2012/03/extreme-behavior/why-you-wont-be-successful

If after reading these articles, you're still excited about your idea, then research and absorb all you can about how to build a successful startup.

And whatever you do, don't believe that the world will beat a path to your door just because you think you have created a better mousetrap. There's much more to success than just an idea.
. . .

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